Description
Historically, most professional astronomers started with an undergraduate degree in physics, followed by a PhD on research in astronomy. However, gradually, due to student demand for a specialist astronomy degree, standalone astronomy degrees have sprung up. So the question arises: as a department, should we in Physics be teaching a stand-alone astronomy major? What should such degrees look like, and how do we strike a balance between physics and astronomy so students have knowledge and skills for non-astronomy careers? I discuss the pros and cons of this decision, what students would prefer, and how we can best serve our student population. I draw on lessons learnt from a transition at the University of Sydney from a physics degree with astronomy as a thread to an astronomy major.
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
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