Astrophysics Honours at the ANU

Siding Spring Observatory, near Coonabarabran, NSW where ANU’s 2.3m Advanced Technology Telescope (left) and the new SkyMapper telescope (right) are located. All honours students have the chance to observe with one or more of our telescopes.

Introduction

The Australian National University offers the best specialist astrophysics honours program in Australia (there are only two such programs, the other one being at Monash). The course is designed as a preparation for PhD research in astrophysics. Any student completing the course will be in an excellent position to continue to astrophysical research at any Australian university, or overseas.

The astrophysics honours program is taught jointly by the School of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Physics and Theoretical Physics, and by the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Mt Stromlo Observatory).

Why Study Astronomy and Astrophysics at ANU?

Study at one of the top 25 Astronomy Research Institutes in the world

The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) ranks ANU as one of the top 25 astronomy research institutes in the world: we’re the only Australian institute to make it into the top 100.

Study with the most internationally eminent astronomers of any Australian university

ANU Astronomers are outstanding achievers

For example:

ANU has the only astronomer to ever win the top Australian national prize for research
Two ANU astronomers were awarded the government’s prestigious Federation Fellowships
The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) ranks all scientists in Australia by how often their work was cited by other astronomers. Six of the highest ranked scientists were astronomers working at Australian universities. All six work at the ANU!

Study with 28 academic astronomers

We have 28 astronomer academics on staff who can offer a wide range of exciting honours projects and courses from planets, stars, galaxy to cosmology, for the theoretically and observationally inclined students.

Study in a working observatory

We are a working observatory, with our own telescope facilities. This means unrivalled observing opportunities for our students.

Be part of the wider Astronomy community

RSAA has a lively atmosphere, with so many astronomers on staff, and a large number of national and international visitors who pass through every year. You will get a broader exposure to the latest astronomical news and gossip studying at RSAA, than anywhere else in Australia!

Pursue exciting job opportunities

100% of our honours students who wished to continue in astronomy have been successful in finding PhD places. Over 80% of our PhD graduates who wish to continue in astronomy over the last ten years have found astronomy research jobs.

The Honours Program

You can choose to enroll in the BSc(Hons) Astronomy and Astrophysics program, which enables you to specialise totally in astronomy and astrophysics if you so wish. Alternatively, you can enroll in either the BSc(Hons) Mathematics or BSc(Hons) Physics programs, while still doing an astronomical project and some astronomy coursework. If you are uncertain, enroll in the astronomy and astrophysics program and you can change to one of the other programs during the honours year.

Honours Astronomy Courses and Rules

Research Projects

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the astrophysics program for next year, a student must have successfully completed three years of an undergraduate course, including a large dose of maths and physics courses. An average grade of distinction (70%) or above is required. In special cases, these requirements can be waived, at the discretion of the department heads.

Applications from students not already at the ANU are due by 31st October for admission in 1st Semester of the following year. Students can start the program at the beginning of any semester, including mid-year. The application form can be found here (Application for Undergraduate Admission).

Bok Honours Year Scholarship

The top applicant each year will be awarded the Bok Honours Year Scholarship: a prestigious award valued at $5000, or $9500 for students transferring their enrolment to ANU. Other students may be offered RSAA Honours Year Scholarships. Students are also encouraged to apply for an ANU honours scholarship. The deadline for these scholarships is 31st October. More info

Dates

Honours will start early February and finish (with the submission of the thesis) at the end of October. There is the possibility to start Honours mid-year. In any case please make sure that your scholarship application is sent in by 31st October 2008.

Other Courses

Each summer, Mt Stromlo Observatory offers a number of Summer Research Scholarships, which enable suitably qualified undergraduate students to spend 8-12 weeks doing research under the supervision of one of the astronomers at ANU. For more details, click here.

ANU also offers an internationally renowned graduate program in astronomy and astrophysics, leading to a PhD in astronomy. click here for further information. Graduate Diploma and Masters courses in Astronomy and Astrophysics are also offered.

For information about honours in Physics and Geophysics, click here. For honours in Maths, click here.

Further Information

For further information, or to get admission materials, please contact our RSAA Honours convener

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	Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories ANU College of Science