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Is a Computer Science Degree a Path to a Career in Astronomy?

-- Safah | July 5, 2023

Question:

Can I be a radio astronomer while having a computer science degree?

-- Safah

Answer:

As long as your computer science training included a good amount of math and physical science classes and training, a focus on computer science as an undergraduate can be used as a path to a career in astronomy. As astronomy is largely a math and physical science based profession, though, those skills are very important.

-- Jeff Mangum

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
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