What are the differences between an astronomy program and an Astrophysics program?

To address the differences and similarities in the two programs, you need to be familiar with each of these natural sciences.

Astronomy and astrophysics are two distinct sciences whose understanding requires knowledge of both. By definition, astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, such as stars, planets, comets, meteors, galaxies, and other extraterrestrial phenomena. Some academics refer to it as the oldest science. Long before Medieval Western European scientists, like Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo, a scholar presented the controversial conclusion that a 32,500-year-old carved Mammoth ivory tusk contained a star chart. The carving resembled the Orion constellation. An accepted scientific decision is that Stonehenge, believed to have been erected in 3,000 BCE, is oriented towards the summer solstice. Predating Stonehenge is the Warren Field calendar excavated in 2004 in Scotland – believed to be created in 8,000 BCE, which tracked the lunar months. The calendar likely underwent hundreds of revisions to accommodate the lunar and solar shifts over 6,000 years.

The prefix astro– comes from Ancient Greek ἄστρον orástron, meaning “celestial body.” The suffix –onomy comes from Ancient Greek νόμος ornómos, meaning “law, custom.” Therefore, astronomy is the study of the laws of the celestial bodies. When the Sumerians, ancient Egyptians, or Maya gazed towards the heavens, they were astronomers. They became astrophysicists when they made astronomical charts of lunar cycles, the diameter of planets, and maps of the equinoxes and solstices. Physics blossomed in the 20^th century due to the work of Max Planck (German theoretical physicist) in quantum theory and Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.

The information above exhibits that to comprehend astronomy, you need knowledge of physics, and to understand astrophysics, you need a foundation in astronomy and physics.

Bachelor’s Degree

The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physics at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics and a Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy. The following is a comparison of some of the courses.

Astrophysics

Calculus I, II, & III
Linear Methods
Introduction to Astronomy & Lab
General Physics
Physics Lab
Quantum Mechanics
Planetary Astronomy
Advanced Physics Lab I & II
Electricity and Magnetism I & II

Astronomy

Calculus I, II & III
Linear Methods
Introductory to Astronomy & Lab
General Physics
Advanced Physics Lab I & II
Quantum Mechanics
Planet Earth
Stellar Astrophysics
Planetary Astronomy
Intro to Galactic & Extragalactic Astrophysics
Intro to Galactic & Extragalactic Astrophysics

This comparison reveals the similarity in classes for each program at Lehigh. The principal difference is that the Astrophysics option has only three hours (one course) in Planetary Astronomy, whereas the Astronomy, as expected, devotes eleven hours to astronomy subjects.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Kansas (KU) has a B.S. in Astronomy that emphasizes mathematics, astronomy, and physics in the curriculum. Examples are:

Mathematics: Calculus I & II, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and Vector Calculus

Astronomy: Physical Astronomy, Astrophysics I & II, Stellar Astronomy, Galactic & Extragalactic Astronomy

Physics: General Physics I, II, & III, Mechanics, Electricity& Magnetism, Thermal Physics, and Quantum Mechanics

Therefore, at the undergraduate level, physics is indispensable to astronomy and astrophysics.

Master’s Degree

Does the mingling of physics and astronomy exist at the graduate level? It seems so. The University of Nevada in Las Vegas offers an M.S. in Astronomy as a thesis or non-thesis option. There are three courses related to physics: Mathematical Physics, Classical Physics, and Quantum Optics (a study of the classical and quantum theory of light). Regardless of your choice, the coursework consists of Observational Astronomy, Astrophysics or Gaseous Nebulae, Cosmology, and Interstellar Medium.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) offers a Master of Science in Astrophysics that concentrates on astronomy and physics. The study plan aims at undergraduates in astrophysics who will have a foundation in physics, math, and astronomy. The program recommends applicants should prepare in high school with a load of math and science classes. The curriculum includes stellar astrophysics, physics mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, galaxies & cosmology, and stars.

Conclusion

Astronomy and physics are inextricably linked in astronomy and astrophysics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. OU touches on a vital point about high school as this is where your penchant for the sciences and math must be apparent. Students who do not excel in these at the beginning of their high school grades will struggle in college. It seems beyond doubt that a student lacking the aptitude for algebra, calculus, chemistry, physics, and biology in high school would pursue a degree in astronomy or astrophysics.