Is it better to get a degree in Physics or Astronomy to become an Astronomer?

Question

If you are one, then can you please tell me what you majored in undergrad and grad school? Thanks! =)

I'm sort of confuse.

Answer 1

why cant you major in one a minor in the other, so you get both

Answer 2

Trust Eri's advice - I'm a little bit further on than her - I'm a tenured professor of astrophysics.

The physics is more important than the astro - but if you can find a college which has astronomy research you will almost certainly be able to do astro elective - which is variously called a minor, emphasis or tack in astronomy or combines the names to call it astrophysics (that's what my degree was - it's called astrophysics, but it's physics with all astro electives).

Make sure you take plenty of math and some computer science.

Also - these days one of the most important things you need to do to get into a good grad school is to get research experience as an undergrad. So check and see if the colleges you are interested in can offer this. I offer research to undergrads (and in fact I have a high school student as a summer intern! - see if your local Uni can offer that).

There are opportunities to do summer internships for research as an undergrad, but these are extremely competitive.

Feel free to contact me thru my profile for advice...

Answer 3

I would guess an astronomer is a scientist who studies the nature of stars, galaxies and planets. To become an astronomer you must earn a doctorate (Ph.D.) and have expert knowledge of physics, mathematics and computer science. In spite of the tough prerequisites, the competition for jobs in this field is intense.

Answer 4

I'm finishing my PhD in physics, with a concentration in astrophysics.  

I did my undergraduate degrees in physics and astronomy.  Astronomy classes are useful, as are math and computer science, but a physics major is absolutely essential for getting into grad school in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics - and you really need a PhD to get a job in the field.  Astrophysics majors by themselves usually don't include nearly as much physics as a physics major, and will most likely leave you unprepared to enter a graduate program, especially one in physics.  And having a PhD in physics means you can do both astronomy AND physics, whereas having a PhD in astronomy pretty much limits you to astronomy.

Answer 5

How about Astrophysics.  

If you have to choose only one, you can get more jobs with the physics but it is better to be an astronomer.  There are not a lot of astronomy jobs out there.    Our club president has 2 doctorate astronomy degrees and he sells solar pannels because he cant find a job in astronomy right now.   Engineering is another carreer to get a lot of jobs with.