Astronomy
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/astronomy-ab Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
Along with Greek, Latin, and Mathematics, Astronomy counts as one of the oldest continuously taught subjects in the Brown curriculum.
Degree Type
A.B.
department
CIP Code
40.0201ℹ
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.
Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes
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Astronomy
Along with Greek, Latin, and Mathematics, Astronomy counts as one of the oldest continuously taught subjects in the Brown curriculum.
It is the study of the properties of stars, galaxies, and the Universe, and as such combines elements from the disciplines of both Physics and Planetary Geology. Students pursuing this concentration complete introductory coursework in classical mechanics, relativity, and astrophysics, along with mathematics and electromagnetism. They go on to complete courses in stellar and extragalactic astrophysics as well as cosmology. Facilities available to concentrators include the historic Ladd Observatory.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Develop their capacity for critical and scientific reasoning
- Understand the interrelation between all physical objects and of the physical laws that govern the behavior of all matter
- Be able to utilize physical principles to model and understand the evolution of the Universe, stars, and planetary systems
- Learn to extract information about astrophysical objects using key astronomical techniques
- Be able to perform quantitative calculations to explain the physical relationships among astronomical objects
Graduating Class
| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.