Astrophysics Syllabus & Subjects 2024

Astrophysics syllabus covers the fundamentals of physics and shows how they are applied in astronomy, as well as the study of stars, galaxies, extrasolar planets, and the interstellar medium. Subjects in the BSc Astrophysics programme cover physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies. Astrophysics syllabus aims to prepare students for all of the important aspects they will need to know in order to pursue a career in this field. As a result, the job scope of Astrophysics is sufficient, with career options such as Lecturer, Assistant Scientist, Astrophysicist, Project Analyst, Market Research Associate, and so on. 

Some subjects in Astrophysics include:

• Cosmology: A subfield of astrophysics that deals with the universe on large scales
• Quantum mechanics: Astrophysics is not the same as quantum physics
• Celestial mechanics: Astronomy uses physics, chemistry, and mathematics to study celestial objects and their phenomena
• Positional astronomy: A branch of astronomy that can be traced back to Greek philosophers like Aristotle
• Plasma physics: A fundamental subject that is relevant to many research areas, including astrophysics
• Theoretical physics: A wide range of disciplines that includes astrophysics and cosmology 

Astrophysics course is considered one of the hardest science courses to study. It involves advanced mathematics and physics, and requires a lot of memorization, calculations, and late-night studies.

In short, an Astrophysics syllabus typically covers a wide range of topics, such as fundamental Physics Principles, Mathematical Methods, and specialised Astrophysical topics. Astrophysics subjects are taught over six semesters and are designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the course and specialisation they choose. The specialisations available in astrophysics are primarily determined by the various levels of study, such as UG, PG, Certificate, or Diploma.

The annual course fees for Astrophysics ranges between INR 30K- 50K, depending on the university/institution. Also, the average starting salary of an Astrophysics graduate ranges between INR 4 - 10 LPA. 

Astrophysics syllabus and subjects vary depending on the course chosen by students. However, the astrophysics syllabus includes many different areas of topics such as oscillations and waves, matter properties, special relativity, quantum mechanics, and so on. The table below lists the astrophysics syllabus course wise. 

BSc in Astrophysics Syllabus 

The syllabus for the BSc Astrophysics course is broken down by year.

MSc in Astrophysics Syllabus 

The table below lists the MSc Astrophysics subjects in the first year.

The table below lists the MSc Astrophysics subjects in the second year.

Syllabus of Certificate in Astrophysics 

The list of the Certificate in Astrophysics Syllabus is provided in the table below.

Practical Topics for Astrophysics

The Practical Topics for Astrophysics by Semester are listed below:

There are no common subjects for Astrophysics as these subjects differ for different specialisations offered under Astrophysics. It completely depends on the student as to which specialisation he/she chooses. With the change in semesters, the subjects keep changing so that the student gets familiar with conceptual learning in a better way.

BSc Astrophysics subjects include both theoretical and practical aspects of astronomy. Students get to study the various applications of Quantum Mechanics, Cosmology, Thermodynamics, etc. Some of the BSc Astrophysics subjects are given below:

• Physics 
• Mathematics
• Special Relativity
• Quantum Mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Properties of Matter
• Thermal Physics
• Oscillation and Waves
• Cosmology
• Astrophysics

Astrophysics projects provide an opportunity to the students which helps them gain practical knowledge about the subject. It can be taken up on different topics such as astronomy, astrophysics, and astroparticle physics and are required to be submitted by the end of the VI semester. The project motivates the students to develop their skills in designing, developing, and building all sorts of astronomical devices.  Some of the popular Astrophysics projects are given below: 

• Computational Stellar Evolution 
• Distances to the Remnants of Recent Supernova Explosions in the Milky Way
• Exploring the Connection Between Galaxies and their central Black Holes
• Fundamental Astronomy of Cataclysmic Binaries
• High Altitude Aerial Platforms for Astronomical Research

Specialisations offered under astrophysics primarily depend on the different levels of study such as UG, PG, Certificate or Diploma. Following is a list of these specialisations:

• Electromagnetism
• Newtonian Dynamics
• Quantum Physics
• Thermodynamics
• Optics
• Relativity
• Waves
• Modern Physics
• Fluid Mechanics

The syllabus for Astrophysics distance programs varies depending on the university or institution offering the course and the level of study (UG or PG). However, here is a general outline of topics found in a distance learning Astrophysics program:

The following books can be referred to study Astrophysics:

• An Introduction To Astrophysics
• Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach
• Astrophysics: Stars and Galaxies
• An Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Engineering Thermodynamics
• Numerical Methods for Engineers
• The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
• The Feynman Lectures on Physics
• Black Holes and Time Warps

An astrophysics course typically covers a wide range of topics related to the study of celestial bodies, the universe, and the fundamental laws of physics that govern them. The specific structure of the course may vary depending on the institution and the level of study. Following is the course structure of Astrophysics:

• Semesters- 6
• Duration- 3 years
• Level- Can be pursued at UG, PG, Certificate and Diploma Level