"I have really enjoyed all the SMTC courses, as they have challenged me and made me think outside one specific subject. This major has allowed me to take all sorts of courses, ranging from the Philosophy of Science to Environmental Forensics."
-Sam Widschwenter '23

Astronomy

Major, minor

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Searching for extrasolar planets, observing how galaxies form and evolve, modeling nuclear reactions, contemplating the origin of the Universe — Union College astronomy is all of this and more.

There is no better place to pursue astronomy than Union College. Here, your physics and astronomy classes will be small and personal, with labs taught by full-time faculty rather than by graduate students, and instruction that is truly characterized by individual attention.

Highlights

Top-notch equipment and facilities

Our state-of-the-art equipment is comparable to what might be found at larger institutions. We have a 20-inch optical telescope equipped with CCD cameras and a spectrograph and a 7.5-foot radio telescope—both used by students.

Cutting-edge research

Students work with professors on cutting-edge research funded by the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation research grants. Many of our majors spend summers at Union or at observatories or national laboratories doing research.

"We have facilities and equipment that are comparable to those at larger universities, such as our particle accelerator. Our undergrads are deeply involved in the operation of everything we have."
- Chad Orzel, professor of physics and astronomy