Astrophysics is the study of the physics of the universe. Students learn about the chemical composition and physical properties of stars, planets, and galaxies. Students use physics and math to predict cosmic phenomena and to explain the evolution of the universe.

When you look up at the night sky, you see stars, planets, and galaxies. Did you know there are also black holes and white dwarfs? A black hole is a collapsed star whose gravity is so strong that not even light can escape from it. A white dwarf is a star that has exhausted most of its nuclear fuel and has collapsed to a very small size; it's basically a dying star. What good comes from studying these celestial events that are so far away? Astrophysics uses them to help determine the age and origin of universe.

In this program, you learn about the evolution of the universe and the big bang theory. You learn about the zoo of galaxies from dwarfs to giants, from starbursts to quasars. You also study Einstein's theories of relativity. In addition, you learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, or radiation waves such as microwaves, gamma rays, and X-rays.

You work on theoretical and computation research projects and can expect to do a lot of number crunching and data analysis. You spend much of your time developing computer models or simulations of cosmic phenomena to explain interactions of matter in the universe.

About 30 colleges in the U.S. offer a bachelor's degree in astrophysics. This takes four years of full-time study beyond high school. A bachelor's degree may prepare you for an entry-level position as a technician. Majoring in astrophysics is also a good preparation for graduate studies in astronomy.

Most jobs in astrophysics require a master's or Ph.D. degree. A master's degree takes about six years beyond high school to complete. It may lead you to a job in a planetarium, or as technical support at an observatory or planetary institute. A Ph.D. in astrophysics may take eight to ten years beyond high school. About 10 universities offer a master's degree, and about 15 offer the doctoral degree.

Most graduate students choose to concentrate in a particular area of interest within the study of astrophysics. If you plan to do more applied research, you need to have training in electronics or electrical engineering. If you plan to do more theoretical work, then a concentration in mathematics or computer science is helpful.