How to pursue astrophysics in India after class 12
Astrophysics is a branch of science that combines astronomy and physics and deals with the study of celestial objects, their physical properties, interaction between matter of space and that of earth. It deals with the universe and its innumerable and unexplored spheres and their possible discoveries. This is why, youngsters who are passionate about stars, planets, solar systems and the working of the universe may be interested in studying astrophysics.
Available courses and institutes
There are various undergraduate degree and certificate courses in astrophysics that interested candidates can sign up for, after their class 12. The undergraduate courses (3 years) include B.Sc. in Astrophysics and B. Tech in Space Technology. Indian Institute of Astrophysics, National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISCs), Adamas University, Amity University are some of the popular universities to study undergraduate astrophysics.
The certificate courses (6 months to a year) include:
- Certification in Astrophysics
- Certification in Astrophysics: Exploring Exoplanets
- Certification in Introduction to Astrophysics
- Certification in Archeoastronomy
- Certification in Geographic Information System Specialization
Coursera, EdX and Udemy are some of the online study portals to pursue these certificate courses.
What do students learn in an astrophysics course?
In these courses, students learn about the basics of interior astrophysics such as – special relativity, optics and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal physics, Newtonian dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, oscillation and waves, cosmology, high energy and modern evolution of physics.
Eligibility criteria
- Students should secure 50 per cent or above in their class 12 board exams or equivalent CGPA from any recognised school.
- They should science with compulsory subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Students should qualify exams like AIEEE, JEE and similar entrance tests to secure admission in undergraduate degree courses.
Career option after studying astrophysics
After studying astrophysics, a student can explore career opportunities as an astrophysicist, lecturer or professor, space scientist, observational astronomer, cosmologist and space engineer. Eminent institutions like SpaceX, ISRO and NASA are top recruiters.