<p>Hey guys, kind of new to the cornell boards, just recently realized that it was one of the astrophysics powerhouses. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the Astronomy major and how it compares to the physics major. Any info not covered on the Cornell website would be appreciated, if you or your friends are in either major: how difficult do you find it? are u getting research opportunites that you wanted.</p>
<p>futhermore. im interested in physics specifically astrophysics and was wanted to know how grad school placement was with this program, would i have more options majoring in physics w. astro concentration?</p>
<p>thanks
daman11</p>
<p>When I attended Astronomy was only a major in the graduate school, not undergrad.
So has this changed??</p>
<p>At that time, they had top faculty in that area, great program. However, they did not prefer to take Cornell undergrads into their grad programs. The thinking was, academically, it was better for the students to go elsewhere to get different perspectives. Or something like that.</p>
<p>Cornell physics majors who deserved it were admitted to top grad programs. Elsewhere.</p>
<p>They could take grad courses if qualified and with permission, IIRC.</p>
<p>thank you.
and bump</p>
<p>All I know is that all of my physics majors friends who were interested in astronomy had absolutely no trouble getting really sweet research experiences. Like driving the Mars Rover or managing projects at Arecibo sweet. Grad school placement was absolutely top notch for serious students – e.g. Harvard, Caltech, Stanford, Berkeley.</p>
<p>the undergrad astro courses are amazing. im currently in one now as my elective and i couldnt be happier 
the professor is amazing and all of the TAs are great</p>
<p>so the stories im hearing about the professor for undergraduate astro/physics courses not being really interested in teaching are not so true?</p>