Majoring in Astronomy and Astrophsyics?

Question

Im am going to Penn State University next year as a freshman to major in astronmy and astrophysics. Any advice, hints. Has anyone ever takin classes there?

Answer 1

yur not batman or superman so no jumping off roofs

and

say no to the drugs... before you take them

penn state

right

Answer 2

Don't go to Penn State but check out the sight below to get some insight on your profs.

http://ratemyprofessors.com/

Answer 3

I'm an astrophysics Prof at another large state university...

Advice is to take as much math and physics as you can - you'll need to to understand the astro stuff.

If you haven;t started on calculus yet - you have to do that first.

If you've done that take the intro physics with calculus courses and an intro modern physics course - you'll need it all. If you have to take gen. ed. classes - see if you can find stuff on Greek myths and on history/philosphy of science - these will serve you well. If you want to conitnue in astro for grad school - take some computer programming.

Answer 4

Penn State is a great place to do astronomy.  But there's no point in majoring in astronomy and astrophysics.  There's so much overlap, you'd only have a few extra courses for astrophysics - and if you're planning on going on for a PhD (hopefully you are, since there aren't really any jobs if you don't have one) you really should be majoring in physics.  An astronomy major goes well with that (as do math and computer science courses), but the physics background is essential for applying to graduate school.

If you do plan to go to grad school, get involved in research early.  Try to get involved with the Swift team - it's a NASA satellite (x-ray, gamma rays, and ultraviolet) run by Penn State and Goddard Space Flight Center.  I bet they have something you could work on.