Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics in Physics is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 3 YEARS.

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

Study astronomical data and understand how the universe works.

Overview

Astrophysicists interpret astronomical data gathered by astronomers to understand how our universe works. Astronomers view the entire electromagnetic spectrum – called “Multi-Frequency Astronomy” – through optical telescopes, radio telescopes, microwaves, gamma-rays, and X-rays.

An exciting career awaits you in Astronomy and Astrophysics in South Africa, which was awarded the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.

This comprises a core of radio telescopes in the Karoo, and is one of many projects supported by our own South African Large Telescope (SALT), an optical telescope sited at Sutherland.

Curriculum

First year

• Physics I (Major)

AND

• Mathematics I (Major):
  • Algebra I
  • Calculus I

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• Computational and Applied Mathematics I

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• Astrophysics:
  • Introduction to Astronomy I
  • Modern Astrophysics I

Second year

• Physics II:
  • Physics IIA (Major)
  • Physics IIB (Major)

AND

• Mathematics II:
  • Multivariable Calculus II
  • Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II
  • Linear Algebra II

AND

• Computational and Applied Mathematics II

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• Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Third year

• Physics III:
  • Quantum Mechanics III
  • Applications of Quantum Mechanics III
  • Statistical Physics III
  • Waves and Modern Optics III
  • Advanced Experimental Physics and Project III
• Astrophysics III:
  • Relativity: The Basis of Cosmology and Astrophysics III
  • Advanced Astrophysics III
  • Modern Radio and Gamma-ray Astronomy III