Astronomy
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Qualifications
Overview
Astronomy and astrophysics are concerned with the study of the nature and distribution of matter and radiation throughout all time and space in the Universe. Astronomers have always been keen to harness the latest technological advances in their quest for ever more precise and revealing observations. As a consequence, astronomy in recent years has been one of the most rapidly expanding of all physical sciences and many exciting and unexpected discoveries continue to be made.
UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand to offer the study of Astronomy at all levels. The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū 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 department 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.
Year 13 mathematics and physics are strongly recommended for ASTR 112 Astrophysics.
Certain courses require a background in Year 13 physics and calculus.
100-level courses
Students intending to advance in Astronomy are strongly advised to include in their first-year courses:
- ASTR 112 Astrophysics
- PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves and Thermal Physics
- PHYS 102 Engineering Physics B: Electromagnetism, Modern Physics and 'How Things Work'
- MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
- MATH 103 Mathematics 1B
- MATH 170 Mathematical Modelling and Computation or COSC 121 Introduction to Computer Programming
200-level and beyond
At an advanced level, Astronomy is heavily based on physics. Students intending to pursue study in Astronomy must first and foremost obtain a good grounding in Physics and Mathematics.
The courses ASTR 211 Imaging the Universe and ASTR 212 Dynamical Astronomy and the Solar System are taught in alternate years in the second semester. ASTR 211 covers computer image processing, astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy. ASTR 212 covers solar system astronomy and dynamic astronomy. Students in their first year can undertake these courses once they have completed a first semester prerequisite.
At 300-level (Bachelor of Science) and 400-level (Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science), courses cover the detailed structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe.
Students will see first-hand the current research fields within the department, which include gravitational lensing, stellar astrophysics, planet searching, variable stars, the cosmic microwave background, and neutrino astronomy.
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.
Contact us
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū
Phone +64 3 369 3100
Email phys-chem@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
See the School's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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