Colleges for Astro/Theoretical Physics

merc81
Mon, 26 Aug 2019 14:17:09 +0000

Among professionals, the distinction between astronomer and astrophysicist relates predominately to preference in terms (though specialties within these general areas will naturally arise). With respect to your choice of major, in cases in which you can compare the required undergraduate physics curriculum with the astrophysics/astronomy curriculum at the same college (i.e., both are offered), the physics curriculum will often be the broader and more rigorous of the two. For this reason, it seems correct to suggest that, based on your indicated interests, your preferred undergraduate major might be physics, enhanced by interesting electives in astronomy/astrophysics and relevant geosciences (which pertain to general planetary study).