Astrophysics, Minor


Learn about Earth's solar system, our galaxy and the universe. Join astrophysics students and faculty who are building spaceflight hardware, making astronomical observations, discovering new planets, exploring cosmology, and engineering new instruments for telescopes and satellites.

Program Description

If you are interested in developing a background in the theoretical modeling and observational techniques of galactic and stellar astronomy, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, the astrophysics minor program is designed for you.

When you complete the minor, you'll be able to think critically about scientific problems by reducing complex problems to their most important attributes and then designing experiments, observations and theoretical models that address those attributes.

If you are pursuing an astrophysics minor, you are expected to have a strong background in physics and mathematics.




At a Glance: program details

Minor Map

  • Location:
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Program Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

GPA Requirement: None

Incompatible Majors: BS in earth and space exploration (astrophysics); other concentrations of the BS in earth and space exploration are compatible with the astrophysics minor as long as option 2 or option 3 of the minor is pursued.

Other Enrollment Requirements: None

Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.


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Career Outlook

Minor programs enable students to develop additional competencies that complement the marketable knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors.

The astrophysics minor supplements other technical degrees. Graduates have learned advanced problem-solving techniques and skills used in modern astrophysics research, which are applicable to a wide variety of engineering and science careers.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Aerospace Engineers


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 134960
  Bright Outlook

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians


  • Growth: 8.1%
  • Median Salary*: 82890
  Bright Outlook

Astronomers


  • Growth: 2.2%
  • Median Salary*: 128820

Computer Programmers


  • Growth: -6%
  • Median Salary*: 100390

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 2.6%
  • Median Salary*: 103170

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists


  • Growth: 0.6%
  • Median Salary*: 122570

Atmospheric and Space Scientists


  • Growth: 0.7%
  • Median Salary*: 99070

Physicists


  • Growth: 4%
  • Median Salary*: 172250

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 2.5%
  • Median Salary*: 100310

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


Program Contact Information

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