CAREERS AND ALUMNI
Why Study Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences?
The answer is two-fold. First, modern-day astronomy is a fast-moving and exciting field which addresses such fundamental questions as “How old is the Universe” and “Is there life out there among the stars?” Majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics will have you routinely thinking about such things as black holes, galaxies and extra-solar planets, and it will add new depth and richness to your view of the nighttime sky. Second, an undergraduate degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics will have you poised for a successful leap into the next important stage of your life—whether it be a continuation of your education in graduate school or entry into the job market.
Graduation and Graduate School
So what do Astronomy and Astrophysics students do after they receive their degrees? Villanova’s Astronomy and Astrophysics alumni are placed in all areas of the business sector (technical and non-technical), in education, working for government agencies (military and civilian) and working as professional astronomers. The attributes of an Astronomy and Astrophysics education that make students so employable are several:
- work ethic developed through completion of a challenging curriculum,
- strong problem-solving skills,
- mathematical literacy,
- computer programming skills,
- a broad base of technical and theoretical knowledge rooted in the liberal arts.
In brief, the successful completion of a degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics assures graduates will have many doors open to them.
