Astronomy and Astrophysics

Major3YRBachelor 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.

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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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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…
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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…
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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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Butler has provided me with a lot of individualized support.

“I have also had countless opportunities to do research projects, work in science outreach, and serve in tutoring and mentorship roles. All of these experiences are incredibly useful and will help me be successful in a doctoral program.”

Sara Moore ’24
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics, and Mathematics