Astronomy

UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand to offer the study of Astronomy at all levels.

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences has an exciting programme of teaching and research, often using state-of-the-art facilities as part of its core work. These include:

• field stations for meteor and atmospheric research, which are located at Te Mata Hāpuku Birdlings Flat, and at Scott Base, Antarctica
• an internationally important astronomical observatory at Ōtehīwai Mount John, Takapō Tekapo, equipped with computer-controlled instruments and cryogenic detectors
• UC-constructed Hercules, a high resolution spectograph to search for planets and do improved stellar astrophysics.

The School collaborates nationally and internationally as well. For example, we have a collaboration with Nagoya University in Japan, who installed a 1.8 metre telescope at Ōtehīwai Mount John for finding planets orbiting distant Milky Way stars.

UC’s postgraduate Astronomy programmes require at least a Bachelor of Science with good grades, or an equivalent degree. See the individual qualification pages for full entry requirements.

• See all postgraduate courses in Astronomy

UC offers the following postgraduate programmes in Astronomy:

• Graduate Diploma in Science
• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

See the individual qualification pages for more information on degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science with Honours majoring in Astronomy

Students will complete 120 points made up from:

• ASTR 480
• ASTR 422
• ASTR 423 or ASTR 425 or ASTR 426
• PHYS 415
• Three courses chosen from MDPH 403, MDPH 406, and PHYS 411–460 (with a maximum of two courses from PHYS 440–460)

Graduate Diploma in Science specialising in Astronomy

To complete a GradDipSc with an Astronomy focus, students will need to complete at least 60 points in 100-300 level ASTR courses throughout their degree. In total 90 points must be at 300-level in the GradDipSc from Astronomy and/or other Science courses.

Postgraduate Certificate in Science majoring in Astronomy 

Students need to complete at least 45 points in ASTR 400-level courses for the major. In total 60 points must be completed for the PGCertSc from Astronomy and/or other Science courses.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Astronomy

At least 120 points is required for the major. Students can chose from two pathways:

• ASTR 480
• ASTR 422
• ASTR 423 or ASTR 425 or ASTR 426
• PHYS 407
• Three courses chosen from MDPH 403, MDPH 406, ASTR 421–427, and PHYS 411–460 (with a maximum of two courses from PHYS 440–460)

Or:

• ASTR 422
• ASTR 423 or ASTR 425
• Six courses chosen from MDPH 403, MDPH 406, ASTR 421–430, and PHYS 411–460 (with a maximum of three courses from PHYS 440–460)

Master of Science majoring in Astronomy

Part I of the MSc in Astronomy is 120 points (8 courses) from:

• ASTR 480
• ASTR 422
• ASTR 423 or ASTR 425 or ASTR 426
• PHYS 407
• Three courses chosen from MDPH 403, MDPH 406, ASTR 421–427, and PHYS 411–460 (with a maximum of two courses from PHYS 440–460)

Students need a B+ Grade Point Average to proceed to Part II of the degree.

Part II requires ASTR 690 MSc Thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Astronomy

In the PhD, students need to pass a thesis of original research in the Astronomy field (ASTR 790 Astronomy PhD).

Students majoring in Astronomy acquire a wide range of skills, from the use of spectroscopic and photometric detector systems (and the analysis of the data obtained), through electronics and optics, to computer skills for analysis and interpretation of data. This produces a graduate who is well equipped to undertake employment not only in astronomy, but in any number of fields that require practical experience or that involve analysis of real data.

Studying Physics and Astronomy equips graduates with skills in problem solving, abstract thinking, evaluating, communicating, and decision making. It develops high levels of curiosity, inventiveness, and mathematical and computer competencies.

Graduates may follow traditional paths and work either as scientists, technicians, research assistants, engineers, astronomers, patent agents, technical authors, or even managers at an observatory or in an institute. However, many Astronomy graduates move into other fields, particularly computing and information technology, management, and science communication or media work. With some additional study, graduates can become meteorologists, geophysicists, material technologists, or medical physicists.

Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Astronomy.