Chart the universe with the University of Montana’s Astronomy Program. The bachelor’s in astronomy degree is offered through our Physics Department and uncovers a pathway toward further education or a fulfilling career.
Students gain hands-on experience at places like the UM Planetarium and Blue Mountain Observatory while enjoying the student life of this out-of-this-world education. But the program’s biggest asset is the personable and approachable faculty, all on a mission to help you understand your world and the stars beyond.
Scroll on to meet the faculty, cover the coursework and gaze into the future of pursuing an astronomy degree from the University of Montana.
Learn more about UM's Astronomy degree.
If you spend time in UM’s Astronomy Program, you’ll get to know Dr. Mark Reiser. He teaches classes like Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe and is the UM Planetarium Director, hosting shows and helping students host theirs.
But you’ll really get to know Mark because of his open-door policy and willingness to go out of his way to interact with his students. From abundant office hours to one-on-one instruction in the Planetarium, he’s among the astronomy department’s tight crew, assisting you on your journey starting day one.
Mark will be the first to tell you that the astronomy faculty makes UM’s program shine the brightest.
“We have active research going on by our faculty members,” he said in his office, covered in astronomical charts and displays. “That’s not only something that's exciting for the field, but it's extra exciting for our students because they have, literally, an expert in that field teaching them.”
He’s also happy to discuss the fact that UM’s Astronomy Department doesn’t include graduate studies.
This means undergraduates receive all the attention and research opportunities within the department. “All of these really high quality, very meaningful and very impactful opportunities and research opportunities go directly to our undergraduate students.”
The UM astronomy program relies heavily on a foundation of physics courses, leaving students with a strong head start for continued education or a fruitful job after graduation. The astronomy degree requires 69 degree-specific credits to graduate, split between astronomy, physics and mathematical courses, alongside general education requirements.
Over half of the degree is split between lower- and upper-level astronomy and physics courses. These are the foundation for your astronomy education at UM. Check out some of the core classes for an astronomy degree:
| PHSX 215N & PHSX 216N |
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I and Physics Laboratory I with Calculus |
| PHSX 217N & PHSX 218N |
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II and Physics Laboratory II with Calculus |
| ASTR 132N | Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe |
| PHSX 301 | Intro Theoretical Physics |
| PHSX 311 | Oscillations and Waves |
| PHSX 343 | Modern Physics |
| PHSX 461 | Quantum Mechanics I |
| ASTR 353 | Galactic Astrophysics |
| ASTR 363 | Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics I |
| ASTR 365 | Stellar Astronomy & Astrophys II |
Alongside the core classes and general electives, students take various other courses to round out their education. These additional classes include major electives, physics laboratory classes and 16 credit hours of math courses, including calculus and linear algebra. Students also finish their degree with an Advanced College Writing Requirement, PHSX 330 “Communicating Physics.”
Take your education outside of the classroom with the UM astronomy degree. Alongside class projects, program get-togethers and the vivid Montana night sky, students have two other unique resources to hone their stargazing and presentation skills.
The on-campus UM Planetarium is housed within the Payne Family Native American Center and is best known for its state-of-the-art Stargazing Room. Astronomy students are encouraged to host their own shows throughout their education, with expert help from Dr. Mark Reiser. Presenting a planetarium show provides an excellent resume builder and develops critical communication skills.
UM’s astronomy program also operates the Blue Mountain Observatory within Blue Mountain National Recreation Area, less than a 20-minute drive from campus. Built in 1970, the Observatory houses a 16-inch Boller and Chivens f/18 Cassegrain telescope. Students and faculty host public and private events throughout the summer at the Observatory.
Astronomy students at UM have several career prospects after graduating. While many students continue their education with a graduate program elsewhere, UM equips every student with essential skills and confidence to pursue an astronomy or physics career immediately after obtaining their undergraduate degree. Here are a few of the many pathways for undergraduate astronomy majors: