There are two options for undergraduates to include astrophysics in their studies at Georgia Tech:
- Astrophysics Major: for students with a particular interest in astrophysics (NEW for 2025-26)
- Astrophysics Minor: for non-Astrophysics majors with a particular interest in astrophysics (NEW for 2025-26)
All CRA faculty include undergraduate students as part of their research programs. Students interested in astrophysics research should contact individual faculty to determine availability. Conference Travel Grants for College of Sciences’ Undergraduate Students Website
Undergraduate Courses in Astrophysics
PHYS 2021 – The Solar System
This course covers Ancient and Renaissance astronomy, gravity, sky phenomena, telescopes, and the solar system.
PHYS 2022 – Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
This course covers optics, telescopes, stellar characteristics and evolution, galaxies, the universe, and the big bang. Physics topics include mechanics, optics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and relativity.
PHYS 2210 – Introduction to Astrophysics
This course provides an overview of modern astrophysics including stars, galaxies, black holes and other dense stellar remnants, and the physics of the expanding Universe.
PHYS 3021 – Nuclear Astrophysics and Stellar Evolution
Develops a working knowledge of stellar and extra-stellar galactic astronomy. Includes stellar structure, nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, and degenerate objects.
PHYS 3022 – Stars and Planets
This course covers stellar atmospheres, interiors and evolution, as well as the formation and physical properties of planetary systems.
PHYS 3210 – Astronomy & Astrophysics Lab
An introduction to astronomical and astrophysical data reduction and analysis, drawing on instrumentation and telescopes from across modern astrophysics.
PHYS 4147 – Relativity
The course provides an introduction to the special and general theories of relativity that govern gravitational physics including experimental tests, astrophysical applications, black holes and gravitational waves.
PHYS 4247 – Cosmology
Modern cosmology of the universe, with the emphasis on the origin and evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, inflation, the cosmic microwave background, dark matter and dark energy.
PHYS 4263 – Nuclei, Particles & Fields
An introduction to nuclear and subnuclear systems. Topics include nuclear models, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, quarks, accelerators, reactors, and stellar nucleosynthesis.
PHYS 4347 – Fundamentals of Astrophysics
Theoretical investigation of astrophysical objects and processes, with an emphasis on the interstellar medium, extragalactic astrophysics, gas dynamics, and radiative transfer, and radiation processes.
PHYS 4803 – Data Science for Physicists
Introduction to probability theory, classical statistics and machine learning, and their application to physics.
Don’t forget to check out the following societies and clubs at GT!
Society of Physics Students
Society of Women in Physics
Astronomy Club