Astrophysics Major

In Astrophysics, 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 Major

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

Ohio Wesleyan now offers two degree options in Astrophysics.

The Bachelor of Arts degree provides you with exposure to the depth and breadth of astrophysics.
The Bachelor of Science degree also includes a stronger emphasis on preparing you for more advanced study in the field or direct entry into professional‐level employment.

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

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

Early Astronomy

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

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.

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 akes the collected stellar data and performs a series of tests to determine a star’s properties.

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 make connections and perform outreach.

Graduate Outcomes

Derek Shank '18

A double-major in Astrophysics and Mathematics at OWU, Derek is enrolled in the Ph.D. Physics program at the University of Notre Dame.

Derek Shank's Research

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 Zack Brechtel '13 studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and then was hired by SpaceX as an Integration and Test Engineer.