Our Study Programs & Research Degrees

To understand our place in the Universe, it is important to study astronomy from both scientific and cultural perspectives. Our program in cultural and Indigenous astronomy offers students across the university an opportunity to pursue their interests in the topic from single subjects to full degree programs at all academic levels, from undergraduate to graduate. You can enrol in any of our undergraduate Breadth subjects, combine them through our Breadth Track option, participate in research projects, or earn graduate research degrees.

These subjects allow you to study astronomy with respect to science, society, culture, and history, as well as participate in research at all levels.

See below for advice for Undergraduate Studies, Graduate Studies, and Postdoctoral Research Opportunities.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

Coursework

Our undergraduate programs provide an opportunity for students to pursue their interests, from current offerings of single subjects to a full Breadth Track. These subjects cover a wide range of approaches to understanding the cosmos and our place within it in terms of science, culture, history, and society. All of the following coursework subjects are available as Breadth options, but some will not be available for students enrolled in certain degrees. Please check the linked course guide for clarity.

Subjects in Cultural & Indigenous Astronomy

  • PHYC10010: Indigenous Astronomy (Semester 1)
  • HPSC20015: Astronomy in World History (Summer)
  • PHYC20017: Archaeoastronomy (Semester 2)
  • PHYC30025: Astronomy and Society in the Space Age (Semester 1)

Subjects in Astronomy & Astrophysics

  • MULT10011: Life, Earth, and the Universe (Semester 1)
  • PHYC10008: From the Solar System to the Cosmos (Semester 2)
  • PHYC30019: Astrophysics (Semester 1)

Research

We offer a range of research opportunities for undergraduates through structured research subjects, which can be completed for credit towards your degree, or shorter-term paid research internships.

Undergraduate Research Subjects

  • MULT30015: Independent Research Project (Faculty of Arts)
  • SCIE30001: Science Research Project (Faculty of Science)

Undergraduate Research Programs (Paid)

Opportunities exist for independent research that can be taken as a career building opportunity or simply out of interest. These options are not formal subjects or paid projects. We simply offer our time and expertise to help students build their research experience on their own time and terms.

BREADTH TRACK in CULTURAL ASTRONOMY

A breadth subject is a subject from a different area of study to the degree or Major in which you are enrolled, enabling you to broaden your area of study. A breadth track is a formal program of breadth subjects spread across 3 years in a particular focus area. The cultural astronomy breadth track will develop your knowledge about the role of astronomy in culture and society by looking at the intersection of astronomy and space with archaeology, history, sociology, anthropology and Indigenous studies. This is suitable for students in any degree program.

For the cultural astronomy breadth track, students need to complete the following three subjects:

  • PHYC10010: Indigenous Astronomy (Semester 1)
  • PHYC20017: Archaeoastronomy (Semester 2)
  • PHYC30025: Astronomy and Society in the Space Age (Semester 1)

Students not enrolled in the Bachelor or Arts can extend this breadth track by adding:

  • HPSC20015: Astronomy in World History (summer)

GRADUATE STUDIES

Students wishing to pursue graduate studies in cultural astronomy have four primary options (three Masters degrees and the Doctorate), depending on your interests and background. Our team spans across multiple faculties, enabling students to pursue studies through a variety of options.

The Master of Science (MSc in Physics) is a 2 year degree consisting of 50% physics coursework (8 subjects) and 50% research thesis. Students wishing to pursue an MSc will require an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering, but can complete their research thesis on a cultural astronomy or dark sky studies topic. MSc students may also take 2 subjects from non-physics areas, such as science communication or the social sciences.

The Master of Arts (MA) is a 2 year research-intensive degree resulting in a 30,000-word thesis of original work. Students wishing to pursue an MA need to enrol in the Faculty of Arts through an appropriate program, such as history and philosophy of science, archaeology, anthropology, or Indigenous studies with one of our team members as a thesis supervisor or co-supervisor.

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a 2 year research degree comprising a 30,000 to 40,000 word thesis or a combination of creative work and written component to the equivalent of 40,000 words. This program provides scholars with opportunities to contribute to understandings of contemporary artistic practice and theories of arts and culture. Research and/or creative outputs can focus on topics in cultural astronomy and dark sky studies.

The Master of Education (MEd) by research is directed at practising professionals in a broad range of fields related to education – early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational and adult education. The course will also meet the needs of other professionals whose work has an educational component or some educational responsibility. This degree includes some coursework and a 20,000–22,000 word thesis. Students may pursue projects in science education and science communication, with a focus on cultural astronomy and dark sky studies – particularly as related to the Sky Country section of The Ngarrngga Project

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a 2 year research degree resulting in a 30,000-40,000 word thesis. The MPhil involves no compulsory coursework, though with approval you may be able to take coursework subjects that are relevant to your research. Your thesis topic can be on any area of cultural astronomy and dark sky studies. A Master of Philosophy may be pursued in any Faculty.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a 3.5 year research degree resulting in an 80,000-100,000 word thesis, which will make a distinct contribution to knowledge in your field. The PhD involves no compulsory coursework, though with approval you may be able to take coursework subjects that are relevant to your research. As they’re completed, sections of your research thesis can be submitted for publication in scientific journals. Thesis topics may include any area of cultural astronomy and dark sky studies. A Doctor of Philosophy may be pursued in any Faculty.

MPhil and PhD Applicants have the opportunity to pursue their degree in the Faculty of Science through the School of Physics, even if you do not have a physics degree or background. This is because PhDs are “university doctorates” that are not strictly bound to a specific discipline.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne supports a range of Postdoctoral and Early Career Fellowships – all of which support research topics in our program.

Australian Research Council

Additional Fellowship opportunities are available through the Australian Research Council.

The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

The Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) is a suite of three fellowship schemes under the ARC’s Linkage Program. The schemes create a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, with the aim of increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation.

The Mid-Career Industry Fellowships scheme creates a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, with the aim of increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation.

Future Fellowships reflect the Australian Government’s commitment to excellence in research by supporting excellent mid-career researchers to undertake high quality research in areas of national and international benefit.

Grant Opportunities

University of Melbourne

Australian Research Council