Astronomy and Astrophysics

MajorMinor3YRBachelor of Science

Where Learning Meets the Cosmos.

The Astronomy and Astrophysics major at Butler University offers a unique blend of immersive learning and academic excellence. As a student in our program, you’ll benefit from hands-on experience with cutting-edge research facilities, granting you access to telescopes worldwide and the state-of-the-art 1-meter telescope at the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. In addition, students in our program harness the power of our on-campus supercomputer, Big Dawg, to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos.

With opportunities to present their research at the prestigious American Astronomical Society annual meeting, paid departmental research roles, and a strong track record of placing students in research positions and internships, our program can propel you from the classroom to the universe and beyond.

Program Information

Curriculum

Sample courses in this program include:

  • AS 102 – Modern Astronomy 
  • AS 301 – Modern Astronomical Techniques 
  • AS 311 – Astrophysics
  • AS 340 – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics 
  • PH 201 – Introduction to Analytical Physics 

See all Astronomy and Astrophysics curriculum information

Three-Year Program

The Astronomy and Astrophysics major can be completed in a total of three years, which includes completing coursework during both summer terms. More information can be found here.

Meet Your Faculty

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Headshot of Natalia Andreev
Natalia Andreev
Lecturer – Physics
Physics and Astronomy – LAS
My area of research is observational radio astronomy:  – observation of regions of massive star formation in our galaxy using: Green Bank Telescope (GBT), Very Large Array (VLA),  and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).- study of…
View more about Natalia Andreev
Headshot of Xianming Han
Xianming Han
Professor – Physics
Physics and Astronomy – LAS
Ph.D., 1989, University of Colorado, Boulder.Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, 1989-1991, University of Idaho, Moscow.Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, 1991-present, Butler University, Indianapolis.Recent teaching duties:NW…
View more about Xianming Han
Headshot of Aarran Shaw
Aarran Shaw
Assistant Professor – Physics
Physics and Astronomy – LAS
My research focuses on accreting compact objects. When stars die they leave behind very dense remnants, which, depending on mass of the progenitor star, can be a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole. Many of these objects can be found in binary…
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Whatever path you’re interested in pursuing, there’s a place for you at Butler.

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