Expert: Philip A. Stahl - 8/8/2007

Question
Hello I am wondering I am a GED student but I am about to go into the army
but when i get out and have my college money i want to study astrophysics
just for the fact i would like a job as an astronomer. I have read the universe
in a nutshell, a brief history of time, and death by black hole I can somewhat
grasp the concepts but I am wondering what classes I should take to get my
mind ready for the advanced realm of astrophysics. What steps should I take
to get the degree in astrophysics with just a GED?

Thank you for your time,
Alex Simpson

Answer
Hello,

Actually - an almost identical question to yours was asked last year, and the answer I gave is evry bit as applicable to astrophysics.

You can find the details at this allexperts link:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Astronomy-1360/Becoming-astronomer.htm

NOTE: The HARVARD Course link given in the above - has CHANGED to:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/ast/acad/courselist.html



The only difference I would suggest - from the answer given to the Marine (in the link) - is that you probably need to try to expose yourself to more math, physics.

If you are soon going into the army, I would try to bring at least one math (algebra? trig? ) book with you and one basic physics text. Hopefully, in your off hours you might be able to read and study them.

This is crtically important because math and physics are at the core of astrophysics.

I don't know if you've taken the SAT yet, but that might give you an excellent idea into whether this is your field. I would try to schedule it - as well as the advanced parts of the test in physics and math. IF you score at least in the 65th percentile in the aptitude tests, and at least in the 50th percentile in the advanced tests, you MAY be cut out for an astrophysics career. If you score below the 50th percentile in the aptitudes, and 30th percentile in the advanced tests, astrophysics is most likely not for you.

When you open the link I provided, please look carefully at the Harvard link and the courses therein. See if this is something you can handle - and want to handle. It may not be. Many people express a general interest in astrophysics - but when they see the detail of the courses needed, change their minds. Which is not a bad thing. You don't want to get in the wrong field.

If you have further questions after going through the above, let me know and I will try to answer them!