It's Inauguration Week! Let the Fun Begin!

View details for Inauguration Day and access the full schedule of events.

Astrophysics & Astronomy Majors

In Astrophysics and Astronomy, you apply the laws of physics to study the universe at the largest scales. You study the lifecycles of stars and the formation and evolution of galaxies, including the supermassive black holes that lurk at their centers; explore the formation and evolution of the universe; and learn about the search for planets around other stars.

About the Majors

The Astrophysics and Astronomy majors will prepare you for graduate study in astrophysics or in physics, astronomy, or for careers in high-tech industries, teaching, and more. The majors provide the strong background in physics and mathematics required for a deep understanding of astrophysical or astronomical phenomena.

Ohio Wesleyan offers two degree options:

The Bachelor of Arts (Astronomy) degree provides you with exposure to the depth and breadth of astrophysics while maintaining the academic rigor required for successful entry into a broad variety of graduate programs and career options.
The Bachelor of Science (Astrophysics) degree includes a stronger emphasis on preparing students for more advanced study in astrophysics or direct entry into professional‐level employment where an astrophysics (or physics) background is preferred.

Related Minors

Think Big

All Astrophysics and Physics majors complete a year-long research project during their senior year. This gives them an opportunity to put what they've learned in their classes into practice and helps to prepare them for jobs or graduate school.

Many Astrophysics majors participate in OWU's Summer Science Research Program, and many present their research at undergraduate research forums on campus and across the country.

Research & Independent Study

Astronomical Research Opportunities

Kaito Iwasaki, from Sendai, Japan, spent 10 weeks studying starspots on LO Pegasi under the mentorship of Professor Robert Harmon.

Stellar Magnetic Fields

Felise Bloodgood, Alec Martin '19, and Kyle Pellegrin observed the starspots of a young star in order to better understand how a star's magnetic fields are created. Professor Robert Harmon was their mentor.

Starspots

Rachel Roettenbacker '08 did research on starspots at OWU before continuing to study them in the graduate astronomy program at the University of Michigan.

Go Global

The OWU Connection provides a variety of ways for you to expand your learning off campus and overseas.

From your first year on campus, you can take Travel-Learning Courses. You can also pursue OWU Connection Grants to conduct research off campus or spend a semester at another university in the U.S. or abroad.

Travel-Learning Courses Study Abroad

European Space Agency

Professor Bob Harmon's Space Exploration class traveled to England and Germany, including a tour of the European Space Agency's Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications.

Early Astronomy

Professor Harmon's Travel-Learning Astronomy class visited the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England.

Get Real

Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships and research opportunities at major laboratory facilities.

OWU students complete internships and REU's (Research Experience for Undergraduates) at a variety of universities and research centers.

Theory-to-Practice Grants Internships

Notre Dame Experience

Derek Shank '18 spent a summer at Notre Dame University working with a program called The Cannon, which uses collected stellar data to perform a series of tests to determine a star's properties.

Combining Science and Politics

Guillermo Gutierrez '18 double majored in Astrophysics and Politics and Government. He is currently a Science and Strategy Intern at the Radiant Earth Foundation, and an Intern with the American Physical Society.

Inspired Teaching

OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers — and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.

They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.

I³ Lectures

Highlights

Perkins Observatory

Advanced astronomical study is done at Ohio Wesleyan's Perkins Observatory, which features a 32-inch reflecting telescope. Also on campus is the Student Observatory, with its 9-1/2-inch refracting telescope. Recently College Rank rated Perkins number 15 out of the 35 best college observatories, and was the highest ranked among small-college observatories.

Schimmel/Conrades Science Center

OWU's 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art science center features an array of sophisticated equipment for hands-on use by OWU students.

Summer Research

The 10-week Summer Science Research Program gives students the opportunity to carry out cutting-edge research side by side with faculty mentors.

Astronomy & Physics Clubs

Activities of the Astronomy Club include viewing the cosmos though telescopes at the Student Observatory and Perkins Observatory, and field trips. In the Society of Physics Students, a professional club for students who love physics, students build community, make connections in their field of study, and perform outreach.

Graduate Outcomes

Alec Martin '19

After graduating, Alec was accepted into the Ph.D. program in Astronomy at the University of Missouri. While at OWU, Alec participated in a Travel-Learning Course on space exploration, conducted summer research on starspots, and presented at the American Astronomical Society.

Graduate Study

Recent Astrophysics graduates have gone on to graduate programs at Princeton, University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Christian University, and others.

Diverse Careers

Many Astrophysics majors go to work in technology industries, education, law, and other fields.

Yale Postdoc Fellow

Rachael Roettenbacher '08 received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and in 2018, she was awarded the Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics Postoctoral Prize Fellowship. At Yale, Rachael will extend her work imaging stellar activity through a detailed analysis of starspots. She began that work as an OWU undergraduate.

SpaceX Career

Past OWU astrophysics and physics graduates are working in engineering, education, and law. Physics major Zeke Brechtel '13 studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and then was hired by SpaceX as an Integration and Test Engineer.

Headlines

Total Solar Eclipse

Ohio Wesleyan to Hold Campus Viewing Event April 8 at Selby Stadium
More information

Knowledge Conductor

Ohio Wesleyan Student Completes Research Tied to Intel’s Semiconductor Manufacturing
More information

Celebration of the Sun

Next Genius Scholars

Choose Ohio First

More News Headlines

A Look at Astrophysics

See All 8 Items

Summer Science— Mark Chalmers ’16 was an Astrophysics major and Philosophy minor who worked on an SSRP project with Professor Harmon studying the star LO Pegasi.

London— The 2018 Travel-Learning Astronomy class in London.

Summer Science— Amanda K. Jewell '19 spent Summer 2018 on Dr. Harmon's Travel-Learning Course, and researching starspots on OWU's campus through the Summer Science Research Program.

Telescope Collection

I³ Lecture by Dr. Robert Harmon— Has anyone ever told you that you are star material?

Stonehenge— Astronomy Travel-Learning class visits Stonehenge.

Bristol Slide— The 2018 Travel-Learning Astronomy class takes a break for some fun in Bristol, England.

Perkins Observatory

Department Contact Info

Location

Schimmel/Conrades Science Center
Delaware, OH 43015

P 740-368-3907
F 740-368-3999
E jaarlington@owu.edu

Department Contact

Chair: Brad Trees
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 139
740-368-3779
brtrees@owu.edu

Academic Assistant: Judy Arlington
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 201
740-368-3907
jaarlington@owu.edu