<p>Hello. I am interested in majoring in mathematics (pure math), most likely with a minor in physics. However I am very interested in going onto grad school for astronomy/astrophysics. If I really wanted to do this, do people still get into PhD programs for astronomy with a major in math and a minor in physics?</p>
<p>That would certainly be possible. Many students that go to grad school for astronomy haven’t really taken many astronomy courses in undergrad. Most people going to grad school for astronomy/astrophysics will major in physics during undergrad, and may never even take any astronomy courses. The physics is the most important thing. Get as much of that under your belt as you can. </p>
<p>Have you considered double majoring in physics and math?</p>
<p>I was aware of that much, I did see most of the astronomy grad students had their undergrad in physics. But I saw very few outside of physics, and I was afraid that majoring in math would limit that…</p>
<p>I may consider it but I wouldn’t want to stay in school for TOO long. If the courseload would require me to stay significantly longer I’d just prefer one major</p>
<p>One more detail, I am also considering majoring in Physics, but which type of physics would be ideal if I wanted to go to grad school for astronomy? (engineering physics, general physics etc.) Perhaps with the minor in CS or Math.</p>
<p>If you were going to major in physics, you’d just want to major in general physics. Engineering physics is a more specific track for people going into engineering. There would be a ton of courses that wouldn’t be related to a potential astronomy track at all.</p>
<p>Most schools don’t really offer any options in terms of undergrad physics majors. A handful of schools offer an astrophysics bachelors, but those are few and far between. </p>
<p>The thing to keep in mind, is that you’d likely have a little catching up to do during the first year or two of grad school if you majored in math. You’d be missing some of the required physics courses like the upper level mechanics/E&M/quantum physics courses. You would likely get some exposure to them if you minored in physics, but not as much as a physics major would get.</p>
<p>[Applying</a> to the Graduate Program, Berkeley Astronomy Department](<a href=“http://astro.berkeley.edu/academics/graduate/apply.html]Applying”>http://astro.berkeley.edu/academics/graduate/apply.html) does not mention any undergraduate majors as preparation for graduate astronomy, but indirectly implies an undergraduate background in physics by requiring the GRE subject test in physics for admission.</p>