I heard some students say that an astronomy major can be difficult, but is it difficult like a pharmacy major? I’m sure that an astronomy major is a master degree and a pharmacy major is a doctorate degree. Correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks
It depends on what you are good at.
Astronomers need to be good at physics and math; that’s what they do. Astronomers work a lot with computers so good computer and programming skills are helpful. Some astronomers build their own instruments, so they learn about electronics, materials fabrication,and machining, and other skills.
If you mean on the graduate level, you can get an MS or a PhD in astronomy. You can get a PharmD in pharmacy.
@juillet is a PhD in astronomy the same years as a PharmD in pharmacy?
A PharmD is, graduate-level, yes, but the research aspect is much less significant in a PharmD (USC, for example, will allow you to take up to 2 rotations out of 6 in a research setting, and perhaps there are some opportunities to do research before rotations begin) than a PhD in astronomy.
Usually a PharmD lasts 4 years, while a PhD in astronomy is much more dependent on research progress, itself much more volatile. In an astronomy PhD, you usually spend 2 years doing coursework and ~3-5 years doing research, and often you do research at the same time you do the coursework.
A PharmD is a professional degree, like that of a medical doctor or a lawyer. A Ph.D. is not a professional degree, it is a research degree. It is hard to quantify which one is more difficult. They are simply very different in scope and if you have aptitude for one over the other then it will be easier for you.
Like @Catria said the standard PharmD curriculum is 4 years. The majority of people take more than 4 years to do a PhD, so the PhD in astronomy would take longer - the average is around 5-7 years.
Now a master’s in astronomy will be less time - 1-2 years, depending on the program.
@juilliet why is a degree in a PhD which requires more coursework, will get less salary than a PharmD degree?
Pharmacists are more wanted than astronomers. There is great competition in astronomy, I would go with pharmacy school.
I would think an astronomy major would need a Ph.D to get anywhere.
Might want to check out these links: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192011.htm
http://boingboing.net/2011/12/06/are-100-of-astronomy-majors-e.html
http://www.studentscholarships.org/professions/481/education_level/physicists_and_astronomers.php
@PharmacyStudent - There are a variety of reasons. A lot of things work like that. PhDs usually get paid less than physicians, lawyers, nurses, MBAs, even though their education took longer. It’s about value, scarcity, and how much money you can make for a company. Astronomy PhDs generally generate less revenue for companies than a pharmacist would.
An astronomy major would need a PhD if he wanted to be an astronomer, but an astronomy major who didn’t want to be an astronomer could go on to do a lot of things. An astronomy major could even go to pharmacy school, if she wanted to and took the right prerequisites.
The bottom line is that you don’t get a Ph.D. in order to earn a high salary. You do it because you are passionate about research. Frankly, you will never regain the income that you don’t earn while studying for a Ph.D (at least 5 years in the U.S.). That is a tradeoff you want to make with your eyes wide open.