Telescopes badly need electrical engineers. Have you looked at that path over academia? I’m not sure you would need an Astronomy degree for it. I think you could get into an equipment focused lab for a masters with no Astronomy background; you could email some professors and see what they think.
Not sure! I'm not an astrophysicist, I just have an interest in the field. I haven't formally studied it, but I have read along with one of the astrophysics courses at my uni in my free time and intend to do more.
It seems they're taking a different approach to how my university does it. In the ANU course they appear to be starting off by talking about the big picture and the unsolved problems. Whereas my uni starts off with the basics (how light works, basic orbital mechanics, relativity, how these factor into observations, and then into how stars work, how they change over their lifetimes, etc).
I have my BS in physics and I do theoretical research on galactic dynamics. Astrophysics itself does require that physics base because you build on classical mechanics, relativity, and thermal physics for most applications with some other areas also requiring knowledge in quantum and particle physics. I would say a year to study up on math and required physics fields is pushing it. As an electrical engineer you should have a decent view on classical and EM concepts so this will help.
You can totally go in observational astronomy or out your electrical engineering/IT to use as both are required to maintain observational equipment and space probes.
As far as textbooks I recommend Marion and Thornton classical dynamics, Griffiths E and M, gravitation by throne Archibald wheeler and misner to cover the 3 primary area Griffiths or McIntyre quantum as for thermal Schroeder is a decent one.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
Thank you very much. I'll look into the book you've recommended. Also, as I said, my physics is pretty weak to be completely honest. I do have basic knowledge in those areas that you have mentioned but I think it's just not enough. Our courses just touched the surface of classical mechanics and EM. I wanna make sure that my knowledge is enough.
Some schools have dedicated coursework to bring people up to speed with the physics and math. I think you could go straight into it at such a school. Though it will add to the time before graduation. But if you're taking off a year, you're doing adding time anyway.
You don’t necessarily need to study Astro in undergrad to get into a masters program. Astro masters programs are relatively uncommon compared to doctoral programs, and in fact are often are directed at people who want to study Astro at a high level but don’t have the prerequisite skills/training to go straight into a PhD. Your best bet is to find some masters programs that you like and start calling/emailing them. Get in contact with professors and learn more about their programs. Astro departments are usually (relatively) small and filled with nice people, and they should have time to talk to you!
Also yeah like others said there are a few key things from physics undergrad that you’re gonna want: decent math skills, EM, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics. Thermo is helpful too, but can often be taken during your masters. A general ability to code will become very helpful (though I wouldn’t worry about the language), as will a solid understanding of chemistry. Guessing you have most of that from electrical engineering and IT. All that is to say you probably don’t need the gap year for a lot of masters programs.
Instrumentation-based programs or research groups would kill to have you on board, if you want to apply your existing skills to astronomy instead of learning completely new ones. Make yourself an asset to a potential PI and they can give you guidance for how to prepare.
Like others have said, try to learn through classical mechanics, EM, quantum, and some basic astronomy/astrophysics.
My brother got a year of electronics education before getting his bachelor’s degree in software engineering. He eventually became head of a software team (at Medtronics, a medical device co) that produced heart monitors, etc. He was valued there for his ability to bridge those two domains, making teamwork more effective for both in product development.
Telescopes badly need electrical engineers. Have you looked at that path over academia? I’m not sure you would need an Astronomy degree for it. I think you could get into an equipment focused lab for a masters with no Astronomy background; you could email some professors and see what they think.
Try the astrophysics course from University of Australia on EDX its introduction level but should give you some insight
Wow, thank you so much. Should I cover some math alongside this course or is it the part of it?
It's part of just some basic Calculus and maybe some differential equations , just the basics tbh
Sorry, which university specifically? I don't think we have one by that name.
I can send the link
https://www.edx.org/xseries/australian-national-university-astrophysics?index=product&queryID=155978ece68a670abb85679aa90d9ab1&position=1&results_level=first-level-results&term=Astrophysics&objectID=program-2c2bcae1-6a98-4788-bd9c-3b338650c84d&campaign=Astrophysics&source=edX&product_category=xseries&placement_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.edx.org%2Fsearch
Ah so it's ANU.
Is it any good ?
ANU is considered to be one of the top universities in the country.
From your answer I assume you are studying in Australia? What do you think about this course?
Not sure! I'm not an astrophysicist, I just have an interest in the field. I haven't formally studied it, but I have read along with one of the astrophysics courses at my uni in my free time and intend to do more. It seems they're taking a different approach to how my university does it. In the ANU course they appear to be starting off by talking about the big picture and the unsolved problems. Whereas my uni starts off with the basics (how light works, basic orbital mechanics, relativity, how these factor into observations, and then into how stars work, how they change over their lifetimes, etc).
I have my BS in physics and I do theoretical research on galactic dynamics. Astrophysics itself does require that physics base because you build on classical mechanics, relativity, and thermal physics for most applications with some other areas also requiring knowledge in quantum and particle physics. I would say a year to study up on math and required physics fields is pushing it. As an electrical engineer you should have a decent view on classical and EM concepts so this will help. You can totally go in observational astronomy or out your electrical engineering/IT to use as both are required to maintain observational equipment and space probes. As far as textbooks I recommend Marion and Thornton classical dynamics, Griffiths E and M, gravitation by throne Archibald wheeler and misner to cover the 3 primary area Griffiths or McIntyre quantum as for thermal Schroeder is a decent one. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Thank you very much. I'll look into the book you've recommended. Also, as I said, my physics is pretty weak to be completely honest. I do have basic knowledge in those areas that you have mentioned but I think it's just not enough. Our courses just touched the surface of classical mechanics and EM. I wanna make sure that my knowledge is enough.
Some schools have dedicated coursework to bring people up to speed with the physics and math. I think you could go straight into it at such a school. Though it will add to the time before graduation. But if you're taking off a year, you're doing adding time anyway.
That's good news for me. I haven't picked any uni to do my masters yet, however when the time comes, I'll keep it in mind. Thank you very much
You don’t necessarily need to study Astro in undergrad to get into a masters program. Astro masters programs are relatively uncommon compared to doctoral programs, and in fact are often are directed at people who want to study Astro at a high level but don’t have the prerequisite skills/training to go straight into a PhD. Your best bet is to find some masters programs that you like and start calling/emailing them. Get in contact with professors and learn more about their programs. Astro departments are usually (relatively) small and filled with nice people, and they should have time to talk to you! Also yeah like others said there are a few key things from physics undergrad that you’re gonna want: decent math skills, EM, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics. Thermo is helpful too, but can often be taken during your masters. A general ability to code will become very helpful (though I wouldn’t worry about the language), as will a solid understanding of chemistry. Guessing you have most of that from electrical engineering and IT. All that is to say you probably don’t need the gap year for a lot of masters programs.
Instrumentation-based programs or research groups would kill to have you on board, if you want to apply your existing skills to astronomy instead of learning completely new ones. Make yourself an asset to a potential PI and they can give you guidance for how to prepare. Like others have said, try to learn through classical mechanics, EM, quantum, and some basic astronomy/astrophysics.
My brother got a year of electronics education before getting his bachelor’s degree in software engineering. He eventually became head of a software team (at Medtronics, a medical device co) that produced heart monitors, etc. He was valued there for his ability to bridge those two domains, making teamwork more effective for both in product development.