Telescope at Embry-Riddle Prescott

Bachelor of Science in
Astronomy

The B.S. in Astronomy allows you to explore the universe through hands-on experiences while engaging in exciting research projects.

About the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy

Because you can't bring celestial objects like planets or stars into a lab, astronomy is a distinct and unique scientific field. You combine observations, physics principles, computer analysis and critical thinking to explore these distant entities. At Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy that combines physics and astronomy classes with hands-on lab experiences. This program prepares you for various careers in science or graduate studies.

Embry‑Riddle offers unique advantages, including faculty connections to resources like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Our own astronomical resources and facilities can be found directly on campus, such as the Prescott Campus Observatory. You'll also have opportunities to work closely with faculty on research projects funded by astronomy leaders, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Astronomy Career Opportunities

Careers and Employers

Embry‑Riddle graduates are prepared to enter the industry as data analysts, scientists and optical engineers or continue to further education in graduate school to pursue research careers.

Students earning a degree in Astronomy often accept employment offers from top companies such as NASA, Naval Sea Systems Command, MIT-Haystack Observatory and the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Astronomy Salary Information

Receiving a degree in Astronomy from Embry‑Riddle provides the opportunity for competitive salaries, averaging $149,530 annually as of 2023.

DETAILS

About Astronomy at the Prescott, AZ Campus

At the Prescott Campus, you’ll engage in hands-on experiences with instruments that unveil the secrets of the skies. In the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy, you can observe celestial objects using the 20-inch and 16-inch optical telescopes at the Prescott Observatory Complex.

You’ll collaborate on undergraduate research with faculty involved in projects funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation and others. Our faculty often work analyzing data from advanced facilities like the James Webb Space Telescope and X-Ray satellites, including those used in the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM).

Astronomy Information

  • Credits: 120
  • Online or In-Person: In-Person
  • Thesis: Research Thesis (6 credits) 

Helpful Links

Learn more about the Prescott, AZ Campus

Summary

120 Credits

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