<p>@ OP: Everyone has given you extremely sound advice thus far; any topic in physics, astronomy included, requires a good deal of understanding of mathematics. Rather than repeat what has already been said, I just wanted to offer a bit of encouragement. </p>
<p>I was in a very similar situation two years ago (entering my senior year of high school). I had just finished taking a college course in astronomy over the summer; I got to image distant objects, run analysis on these images, and write multiple papers on our findings. The whole experience was incredible, but I hadn’t yet taken a true physics course (not even at the high school level) and I wasn’t sure how much I would like the advanced math associated with physics (hadn’t yet taken calculus). Fast forward two years: I’m in my upper division physics courses, I find calculus to be very natural and easy, and I don’t regret my choice for a second. </p>
<p>Don’t be intimidated by the math; I tutor high school math of all levels, and calculus is by far the easiest in my eyes (I actually had a student who was struggling with geometry and was ready to give up on math altogether, so I pretended to teach him things he would see in Algebra II the next year and instead taught him calculus, and he didn’t believe me when I told him because it was so easy for him). I imagine you’ll do well with calculus, as well. </p>
<p>Something else worth noting, just in case no one else has, is how CS intensive most physics can be. I’m hoping it was you that I saw mention AP CS, because if so I think you’ll enjoy some of the analysis work. I know that astro involves a good deal of coding, as well as high energy (particle) physics, and the two are beginning to cross-over more and more as particle physicists are searching for dark matter.</p>
<p>A pure astronomy major will be somewhat less math intensive than physics or astrophysics. Generally, a pure astronomy major will have to take the introductory calculus based university physics sequence, as well as the full calculus sequence. Differential equations and linear algebra will be required in some programs. Beyond that though, the rest of the courses would usually be astronomy courses. There will still be a lot of math in the astronomy courses, but it will be the math as it is applied to those specific courses, rather than learning the pure math behind the physics or the astronomy. </p>
<p>With astronomy though, the more math and physics you know, the better off you’re going to be, so it would be advisable to use elective credits for additional physics courses.</p>
<p>edit-Most astronomy departments will have courses within the astronomy department that are basically “physics for astronomers” type courses. For instance, many schools will have a course on General Relativity that is geared for astronomy students, and deals primarily with the applications of GR to astronomy. General Relativity is probably the most important part of physics for an astronomer to know, beyond the introductory calc based physics. The issue there though, is that to really study GR, you need at least something of an education in classical mechanics and electromagnetism.</p>
<p>Good luck deciding your major :D</p>
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<p>That makes no sense. It must have only been differential calc, and it must have been a watered down version. Nobody who struggles with algebra will survive a full calc sequence.</p>
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<p>That’s how it strikes me. I haven’t even started calculus yet(I am in a few weeks), but I’ve always gathered that if you’re going into it without a solid foundation in algebra and trig, you aren’t going to do very well. </p>
<p>I’ve heard plenty of statements along the lines that people didn’t like math when they were in algebra, but when they got to calculus, they really started enjoying it. It’s quite possible that seeing math in a way that actually appealed to them could result in them spending more time studying, and working to really understand it…thus struggling less with it.</p>
<p>@TomServo no that is absolutely false.
I took Algebra 1 Honors and Geometry Honors and passed both with a borderline C, yet I passed Ap calculus with the easiest A and got a very easy 5 on the AP exam. It is very well possible and actually not uncommon for someone to find algebra and/or geometry hard yet find calculus easy.</p>
<p>I’d like to thank you all for contributing! You’ve really helped me solidify this idea and I just find that I feel so much more comfortable about approaching college level math! Also, I’m intending to taking AP Comp Sci this year, for a little background, even if I dont take it, it’ll be a good experience to learn!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>AP CompSci is a very good idea. Basically any science major these days needs to have a background in programming to at least some degree. This is particularly important in physics, math, astronomy, astrophysics etc.</p>
<p>All STEM majors would benefit from a minor in CS.</p>