Discover the world beyond our own.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Astrophysics in the College of Letters & Science offers students comprehensive, hands-on training in astrophysics. The Astrophysics undergraduate program is composed of individuals who embody the need to better understand the world beyond our own! The Department of Astronomy endeavors to meet that need by providing students access to a broad spectrum of courses taught by prize-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, active scientists and researchers, and opportunities to conduct research projects as a means of contributing to the subjects they are studying.
Highlights
- Stargaze from the top of Campbell Hall at Astro Night.
- Connect with other students in the Undergraduate Astronomical Society or Space Exploration Society at Berkeley.
- Conduct research with one of our world-renowned scientists in the Astronomy Department, Space Science Laboratory, or Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
Curriculum
The Astrophysics curriculum consists of lower division requirements in astronomy, math, and physics, along with upper division requirements in astronomy and electives from other departments. Lower division courses such as ASTRON 7A + 7B give a comprehensive overview of our Universe, from exoplanets to cosmology. Upper division courses provide an in-depth view on planetary astrophysics (ASTRON 162), stellar physics (ASTRON 160), and relativistic astrophysics and cosmology (ASTRON 161).
The undergraduate program stands out for its unique and rigorous lab courses, including the optical-IR (ASTRON 120), the radio astronomy (ASTRON 121), and the data science (ASTRON 128) labs. All courses are taught by faculty specializing and conducting on-going research in the subjects they teach.
Learn more at astro.berkeley.edu/undergraduate
Study Options
In addition to the major, the Department of Astronomy offers:
- Minor program in Astrophysics
- Courses that fulfill L&S breadth requirements
- DeCal courses on Python, ULAB, Beginner’s Guide to the Universe, and other topics
- Freshmen and Sophomore Seminars (ASTRON 24/84)
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To declare the Astrophysics major, you must complete the following major prerequisites:
- MATH 51 + 52
- MATH 53 + 54*
- PHYSICS 7A + 7B + 7C or PHYSICS 5A + 5B + 5BL + 5C + 5CL
All required prerequisites need to be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. We require a C- or better in all our lower prerequisite classes.
*Students who are planning a double major or a minor with Astrophysics and Physics are required to complete PHYSICS 89 in lieu of MATH 54.
The Astrophysics undergraduate program prepares students for astrophysics graduate work or other advanced degrees in related science and engineering fields. It also prepares students for careers in teaching or for working in data science, the tech industry, and other technical fields. Our students graduate with research and lab experience, computational and analytical skills, and an education that will equip them to continue on as leaders in their chosen fields and professional endeavours.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Astrophysics. The College of Letters & Science hosts MPS 101, a career development course, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Analyst
- Chemist
- Data Scientist
- Mission Integration Engineer
- Policy Fellow
- Project Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Production Control Scheduler
- Quantitative Analyst
- Researcher
- Scientist
- Software Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Tutor
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Applied Mathematics
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth and Planetary Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
Dex, class of 2025
Dex Bhadra graduated with a BA in Astrophysics, and was a student researcher at the Moving Universe Lab (MULab) as well as a peer mentor for ULAB.
On research: “ULAB helped me…develop the necessary habits instrumental in professional research and played a massive role in helping me find research with MULab.”
Career plans: “My dream is to build a professional career around studying binary systems.”
Advice for future majors: “Whether via clubs like UAS and ULAB, going to the Astro colloquia/TAC/CIPS seminars, or even simply hanging out in the KAIT lounge, I strongly advise every future (and current) astrophysics major to put themselves out there.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Astrophysics major; begin lower division requirements.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or Berkeley Changemaker course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with an Astronomy or other student organization.
- Access resources from MPS Scholars and the Student Learning Center.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Participate in stargazing and science talks at Astro Night.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Get introduced to research via ULab.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in the ASTRON 98 DeCal to learn Python skills.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Physics abroad.
- Interested in STEM teaching and learning? Enroll in CalTeach.
- Complete lower division coursework and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Astronomy colloquiums, lunch talks, seminars, and other department events.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Astronomy websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Attend the Undergraduate Research Fair for Math and Physical Sciences.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into UC LEADS and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division requirements and electives in the major.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or minor such as Science, Technology, and Society.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an Astronomy Peer Advisor.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Get access to Campbell Hall’s lab space, KAIT room, and study lounge.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Mentor local youth through Bridging Berkeley, Expanding Your Horizons, or SENDforC.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Enroll in MPS 101 Careers in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
- Join a professional association such as the American Astronomical Society.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Consider applying to the Astrophysics Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get involved in public education with Science at Cal or the Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups such as UC Berkeley Astronomy.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like ASTRON 7AB.
- Engage in mentored research through the National Science Foundation.
- Interested in astro instrumentation? Attend Professor Jessica Lu’s AstroTech summer school.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Interested in science administration? Apply to the NSF Summer Scholars Internship Program.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science, Electrochemistry, and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with PHYSICS 153 Transfer Course for Physical Science Majors and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin upper division coursework; enroll in the ASTRON 98 DeCal to learn Python skills.
- Interested in STEM teaching and learning? Enroll in CalTeach.
- Verify you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with an Astronomy or other student organization.
- Get access to Campbell Hall’s lab space, KAIT room, and study lounge.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Access resources from MPS Scholars and the Student Learning Center.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Get introduced to research via ULab.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Physics abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or minor such as Science, Technology, and Society.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend Astronomy colloquiums, lunch talks, seminars, and other department events
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Attend the Undergraduate Research Fair for Math and Physical Sciences.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Astronomy websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Participate in stargazing and science talks at Astro Night
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into UC LEADS and the Goldwater Scholarship.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Consider applying to the Astrophysics Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
- Keep working on upper division requirements and electives.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an Astronomy Peer Advisor, PHYSICS 153 Transfer Student Mentor, or Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Get involved in public education with Science at Cal or the Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Mentor local youth through Bridging Berkeley, Expanding Your Horizons, or SENDforC.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Enroll in MPS 101 Careers in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Astronomical Society.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups such as UC Berkeley Astronomy.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Consider participating in the Pre-Core Transfer Summer Program for newly admitted students in the physical sciences.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like DATA C100.
- Engage in mentored research through the National Science Foundation.
- Interested in astro instrumentation? Attend Professor Jessica Lu’s AstroTech summer school.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Interested in science administration? Apply to the NSF Summer Scholars Internship Program.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science, Electrochemistry, and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Astrophysics or choosing a major?
The Department of Astronomy offers undergraduate advising to students interested in the Astrophysics major or minor. The Undergraduate Advisor answers questions about major and minor requirements, policies, procedures, department resources, events and activities, as well as certifying degrees and majors. The Undergraduate Faculty Advisor is a resource for content of courses, research, and career development in the field of astrophysics. Peer Advisors answer general questions about the major and department. Visit astro.berkeley.edu or email astroadvising@berkeley.edu for additional information.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
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