Undergraduate Majors

With more than 40 majors to choose from, our curriculum offers you unparalleled opportunity to pick your path and find the right fit for you, whether you’re interested in Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Social Sciences, or Humanities like History and English are more your style. 

Many of our majors also offer opportunities for internships and co-ops both locally and nationally, study abroad and service learning, where you make real-world impact on your community.

If you’re not sure which major is right for you, you’re not alone. Many incoming students aren’t sure with path is the right one—which may be why many of our first-year students choose our Exploratory Studies Program. Through Exploratory Studies, you’ll learn more about what each major has to offer, and whether it’s right for you. 

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Why study Physics (Astrophysics Concentration)?

Astrophysics is the study of the structure and evolution of the universe, from the smallest scales measurable to the limits of detectability. It encompasses such diverse areas as the formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems, to the chemical evolution of galaxies, to the deep connections between the quantum nature of matter and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.

The successful student in astrophysics will need to have strong math and writing skills, imagination, the ability to engage in analytic thinking and problem-solving, as well as a keen interest in understanding how the universe works.

Career Possibilities

The study of astrophysics provides excellent training in quantitative and analytical approaches to solving problems. Astrophysics graduates are highly sought for graduate and professional programs in engineering, computer science, law, economics, medicine, business and teaching. The emphasis on modeling and problem-solving, along with the rigorous mathematical background needed for the major, means graduates of this major pursue many different careers.

Students have an edge in careers such as:

  • Physician
  • Professor/teacher
  • Planetarium operator
  • Researcher
  • Telescope operator
  • Museum curator

Additional careers are possible in space industry, science writing, patent industry, programming, military and biomedical industry.

Advising

Contact the program director, whose name and information appear at the top of this screen.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

The UC faculty consists of researchers in observational astrophysics, theoretical particle astrophysics and general relativity, and experimental particle physics closely related to astrophysics. The observational astrophysics group has regular access to world-class telescope facilities, such as 3-to-8 meter telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, the Hubble space telescope and the Spitzer space telescope. Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with faculty on research projects with the potential to lead to published papers.

Admission Requirements

Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the minor to their program. Be sure to submit a declaration of the minor using our online form.

 

In addition, you must meet with the program director so that the department is aware that you are pursuing the minor and can advise you appropriately. Do this early enough to avoid delay in obtaining your minor.

Graduation Requirements

If you have declared the minor, then it will appear on your application for graduation. Apply for graduation as you normally would for your bachelor’s degree.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Quick Facts

MIN in Physics (Astrophysics Concentration)

Full-Time Program Duration

2.0 Years

Location

West Campus

Interest Areas:

Computers & Technology

Natural Science & Math

Contact

400 Geol/Phys
PO Box 210011
 Cincinnati, OH 45221-0011
Phone: 513-556-0501
Margaret Hanson
physics.dept@uc.edu