Career in Astronomy and Astrophysics - Best courses and colleges in India

Those of you who are fascinated with what’s out there in the cosmos may be keen to take up a career in a field that is associated with space. You can take up a course in astronomy or astrophysics, both of which are inter-connected. You will learn about the galaxies and other celestial bodies, and, in the case of astrophysics, the application of the principles of physics to what's out there in space, gathering critical data on how, for example, they evolve and vanish. Beyond such knowledge, there are the mathematical abilities and skills that you acquire, such as logically thinking through a problem before arriving at a solution to it, developing mathematical abilities, gaining proficiency in IT through data analysis, etc.

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Career Scope

After graduating in Astronomy or Astrophysics, opportunities come up in private or government aerospace companies and space agencies which hire research assistants, project associates, etc. There are also Junior Research Fellow (JRF) openings and internship opportunities, not to mention entrepreneurial ventures.

Let’s check out the UG and PG programs in Astronomy and Astrophysics offered at the best of the best…

At IIT Indore

1. B.Tech. Program

The Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering (DAASE), Indian Institute of Technology Indore launched a unique interdisciplinary B.Tech. program in Space Science and Engineering last year. Admission to this program is through the JEE (Advance) exam.

Syllabus: You will learn about space-associated systems such as those of orbit control, ground station communications, robotics, etc. You will understand how the principles of system engineering can be applied to come up with solutions to complex problems and work on projects. The final year’s internship gives you hands-on industrial experience in the designing of complex systems.

You can specialize in any of these- (i) Space Instrumentation – Detectors & Payloads; (ii) Imaging and Data Analysis; (iii) Remote Sensing and Atmospheric Engineering; and (iv) Astronomy & Astrophysics 

Eligibility: You need to clear the H.S.C. exam (10+2) in the subjects of PCM/PCMB, and have scored at least 75% marks in the qualifying exam. A valid JEE Advanced score is also mandatory. The final admission will be based on the JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) counselling process.

Fee: Rs. 1 lakh per semester, with additional fees for hostel, exams, etc. Contact the admissions office to know about fee concessions for SC/ST/PWD, GE, OBC-NCL, EWS candidates.

2. M.Sc. in Astronomy

Syllabus: As part of the mandatory courses of this 2-year program, you will get preliminary knowledge, while the Electives will be more advanced topics such as the weather in space and astrostatistics. The 15 hours of weekly lectures will be supported with 8 hours of lab work. You will be expected to also take up reference reading and complete all the assignments and projects in a timely manner. At the end of the third semester of the program, you can put in a request for conversion of the .Sc. to M.Sc. + Ph.D. dual degree program, and this request will be considered after evaluating your research potential.

Eligibility: You should have a Bachelor‘s degree in Physics or Mathematics or CSE or EE or an ME + JAM qualification in Physics. The entrance to this program is through the JAM (Physics) examination. International students should have a valid score of TOEFL or IELTS + a valid score of GRE.

3. Other PG programs:

(i) You can pursue an M.Tech. or an M.Tech. + PhD Dual Degree Program in Space Engineering

Eligibility: You should have completed a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree or a 5-year integrated degree with a first division in Electronics and Communication/Electronics/Engineering Physics/Aerospace, or an M.Sc. in Physics/Electronics/Atmospheric Science. SC and ST candidates will be given a relaxation in the marks in the qualifying exam as per Central Govt. norms. You should also have a valid GATE qualification in the relevant disciplines. For International students, a valid score of TOEFL or IELTS is required.

(ii) MS (Research) + Ph.D. dual degree in Space Sciences and Engineering

Eligibility: You should have completed a 4year bachelor’s degree (B.E. or B.Tech.), or a 2-year or 5-year integrated Master’s Degree (an M.Sc. or an M.Tech. or M.E.) with first class or first division in any of these - Physics, Applied Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Science and Engineering, Earth and Atmospheric Science and Engineering, Remote Sensing, Engineering Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautics, Electronics and Communications Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. You should also have a valid GATE qualification in the relevant disciplines. For International students, a valid score of TOEFL or IELTS is required.

Contact information: Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering (DAASE), IIT Indore, Khandwa Road, Simrol, Indore-453552. Ph: +91-731-660-3304. Email: hodaase@iiti.ac.in , astro-office@iiti.ac.in

Website: IIT Indore 

At the University of Lucknow

The Department of Mathematics and Astronomy offers a B.Sc. program in Astronomy that lays the foundation to pursue an advanced degree in Astronomy or Physics or Astrophysics or look for career opportunities in observatory/science education.

Syllabus: Semester 1- Spherical Astronomy-I and General Astronomy-I; Semester 2- General Astronomy-I + Practical; Semester 3- Spherical Astronomy-II and Stellar Astronomy-I; Semester 4- Stellar Astronomy-II + Practical.

Also, for the B.Sc. (Maths) program and for the B.Sc. (Maths) under the NEP 4-year program, Astronomy is one of the subjects. In this program, you can choose two Major and one minor subject from the given groups offered (see official brochure for details).

Eligibility: You should have cleared Intermediate Science (with Maths group) or an equivalent exam, securing at least 40% based on total marks of all subjects if applying in the general category or OBC category, and at least 33% marks if applying in the SC or ST category.

Contact information: Head, Department of Mathematics and Astronomy, University of Lucknow, Babuganj, Hasanganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007. Ph: 7991200647, 9450463503 / Email- mathematics@lkouniv.ac.in, sahai_vivek@hotmail.com

Website: University of Lucknow 

At Osmania University

The Department of Astronomy, University College of Science of Osmania University offers a two-year M. Sc. course in Astronomy (18 seats), an interdisciplinary M.Sc programme in Astrophysics in collaboration with the Physics department and a Ph. D. programme. The dept. has its own observatory with telescopes for practicals and research projects.

Eligibility: a candidate must have passed the B. Sc. degree examination of the O.U., or its equivalent, with the requisite percentage.

Further, a candidate must have qualified at the Common Entrance Test (OUCET) conducted by the University in the relevant subject(s) in the academic year for which admission is sought

Fee: Rs. 2,260.00.

Contact information: University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad - 500007, Telangana State. Ph: +91-40-27098176; 8331041504; 8331041505/Email: principal.ucs@osmania.ac.in 

Website: Osmania University

At IIST Thiruvananthapuram

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, which is under the aegis of the Department of Space, Govt. of India offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree programs.

The Earth and Space Sciences Department of IIST offers a Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics and since the last three years, students completing the course have enrolled for doctoral programs in Astronomy & Astrophysics in international universities or bagged research project positions at various institutions in India and abroad.

Study Options: You can pursue this course independently or as part of a Dual Degree program after completing a B.Tech in Engineering Physics. You can avail of scholarships from IIST as per the norms of UGC/MHRD.

Unique facilities: The Department has an Astronomy Lab for instrument characterization and computers for data analytical work. On the campus is an astronomical observatory with telescopes for exciting observations of the sparkling night sky to collect and analyze data as part of the observational lab module.

Syllabus: The curriculum of the first year introduces you to the fundamental concepts of astronomy and astrophysics, wherein you learn astronomical techniques, gain knowledge of planetary sciences, etc. One of the interesting things you will learn is computational astrophysics wherein statistical methods and data crunching are applied in the field of astrophysics, including the well-known computational algorithms of Monte Carlo methods. Then there are studies about how stars and galaxies evolved, cosmic aspects, etc.  In the second year of the program, you will focus on original research leading to a thesis. Seminars will also be scheduled. There are over a dozen Electives to select such as Advanced Astronomical Imaging, Time Domain Astronomy, Polarization in Astronomy, Physics of the Sun, Radiation Hydrodynamics, etc.

Fee Structure (including hostel fee): Rs.55,700 for the first semester; Rs.49,200 for the second semester onward. This is the fee structure for the 2024 academic year and may change in subsequent years. Accordingly, check the official brochure for the year in which you apply for admissions, to know the breakup of semester-wise fees and additional fees, such as for exams, the convocation, etc.

Eligibility: Only citizens of India can apply. You should have a B.E./a B.Tech. in any of the relevant disciplines with a valid GATE score in an engineering field, such as electrical, civil, chemical, aerospace, agricultural, computer science & IT, electronics and communication, etc or in Geology and Geophysics. An M.Sc. in any of the relevant disciplines and a valid GATE score in Physics/Geology and Geophysics/Mathematics/Engineering Sciences is also accepted.

It is essential to have obtained at least 60% marks (minimum 55% marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates) in the qualifying degree in aggregate of all semesters/years.

Application procedure: Admission is through an online process through the centralized counselling procedure (CCMT).

For more details contact: Email ID- admissions@iist.ac.in / Ph:  0471-2568477/618/418. Campus- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Valiamala (P.O.), Thiruvananthapuram – 695547, Kerala, India.

Website: IIST

At Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics Pune

The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), which is a UGC-established autonomous institution offers a 2-year joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) program in collaboration with the Department of Physics of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The curriculum of the SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. program covers theoretical physics and astrophysics courses and includes projects, experiments, observations, and computational work. If you are keen to study further, check out their Ph.D. programs as well.

Course Highlights: On selection to the SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. program, you are eligible for a monthly scholarship of Rs. 1,000/-, as well as reimbursement of tuition fees for the academic duration of the course.

Syllabus: In the first year, the faculty of the Department of Physics (DoP), SPPU will teach theoretical and experimental physics courses. The second year’s courses are primarily at IUCAA with lectures and lab work and include observational astrophysics. You will take up two elective courses in the second year as offered by the Department of Physics, SPPU, and in the semester pursue an Elective course on High Energy Astrophysics at IUCAA, while other elective courses are at the Department of Physics (SPPU).  Projects in the third and fourth semesters are mandatory, to be taken up under the supervision of an experienced scientist.

Eligibility: You should have completed a B. Sc. degree in Physics (with Mathematics up to 2nd year) or a B.E./B. Tech. degree in any branch of engineering, with a minimum of 55% marks (minimum 50% for reserved category candidates) and have a good academic record throughout. Admission is based on scores in the IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT).

Application procedure: Admission is through an online process for which the link is provided at https://www.iucaa.in/en/education/m-sc/sppu-iucaa-msc

Contact information: IUCAA, Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune 411 007, India. Ph: +91 20 2560 4100, Fax: +91 20 2560 4699.

Website: IUCAA