UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ASTROPHYSICS AND PLANTARY SCIENCES

Faculty member and three students talk in lounge.

Astronomy and Astrophysics offers a rich area of study, tackling questions such as “Is there life out there among the stars?” and “How old is the Universe?”

We offer an undergraduate major, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as a minor in Astronomy. We also provide an extensive suite of courses for non-scientists, including courses in meteorology, planetary science, astrobiology and astronomy.

WHY ASTROPHYSICS AND PLANETARY SCIENCES?

Faculty-mentored research

Our students answer research questions like "Can food grow on Mars?" and have the chance to work on projects with NASA’s Kepler mission alongside our renowned faculty.

Top-notch facilities

On-site facilities include three 14” telescopes and one 20” telescope, housed in two separate Mendel Science Center observatories, as well as numerous smaller portable telescopes.

Off-site facilities include access to the 50” Robotically-Controlled Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, via Villanova’s membership in the RCT Consortium. In addition, students regularly have access to new data from the NOAO observatories, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and other national/international facilities via faculty research programs. Learn more about both our on- and off-site facilities.

Interdisciplinary coursework

The major includes courses in astronomy, physics, mathematics and computer science—providing a comprehensive and robust education that prepares our students for graduate school and their future careers.

WHO WE ARE

HAYLEY NOFI '23 CLAS

“What I enjoy most about my research and major is getting to actively make a difference and participate in professional research projects as an undergraduate. Many schools do not have the same opportunities, and I’m very glad I decided to come here!” says Hayley Nofi ’23 CLAS, an Astronomy and Astrophysics major, who earned a Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and worked in the lab with professor Edward Guinan, PhD.

SHANNON BROWN ’22 CLAS

“I’ve wanted to study Astronomy in college ever since I took an earth science class in seventh grade," says Shannon Brown ’22 CLAS, who also has a passion for social justice. After a summer experience working in Ghana with a nonprofit, "I realized that science plays a huge role in accomplishing equity for all, so I decided to add a Peace and Justice major to my Astronomy and Astrophysics major.”