Undergraduate Program

Courses

Degree & Course Information

Dean's Scholars Honors Program

Plan II Honors Program

Undergraduate Brochure (PDF)

Research & Career Opportunities

Tips for Grad School

Resources & Helpful Information

Advising

In the News

Awards, Scholarships & Financial Aid

Department Awards & Scholarships

CNS/UT Scholarships & Fellowships

Astronomy Students Association

Admissions

Freshmen-How to Apply

Department of Astronomy

Department of Astronomy
Note to Undergraduates: The application deadline for most Summer Research Internships is in January and early February, so you should start to put your application together early (e.g., Dec to early January) and give your letter-writers plenty of advance notice. College of Natural Sciences
University of Texas
  • UT Career Center
  • Student Employment
  • McNair Scholars
    The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded program that provides a comprehensive Ph.D. preparatory program for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. One of the main components of our program is a Summer Research Internship. For more information please contact us or visit our website.
Summer Jobs/Research Internships for Undergraduates
  • Student Writer Position with UT-Austin McDonald Observatory
    Summer 2009 position involves writing for non-technical audience on astronomers and astronomical research, under the supervision of McDonald Observatory's Press Officer. (posted 4/22/09)
  • Spend your summer in the mountains of West Texas!
    Astronomy and Physics undergrads ... looking for a unique summer experience? The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at the McDonald Observatory will be offering one summer student position to work at the University's remote campus in the heart of the mountains of West Texas. From June through August, the Visitors Center hosts nearly 20,000 visitors for an extensive array of public and educational outreach programs such as:
    • Guided Tours of some of the largest research telescopes in the world open to the public
    • Solar Viewings presenting live views of the Sun in our multimedia theater
    • Star Parties where many visitors get their first views of a truly dark sky
    • Special Viewing Nights on which visitors participate in the rare chance to actually look through the large research telescopes
    As a summer student, the successful applicant will not only participate in these programs but also learn how to present them, as well. Presenting these programs is an excellent opportunity to develop public speaking skills in addition to being an opportunity to share your knowledge of astronomy and physics.

    In addition to a competitive hourly wage, room and board will be provided in the Astronomers Lodge (AL) where both researchers and technicians stay while working at the Observatory. Dinnertime at the AL is an excellent opportunity to make contacts with researchers, graduate students, and professors from UT as well as other universities and observatories around the world. Of course, you'll also enjoy some of the darkest night skies of any major observatory in the US in addition to plenty of hiking, swimming, and other daytime activities during your free-time.

    A successful applicant will have completed, at least, Ast 307 or its equivalent. The successful candidate will have an outgoing personality, a good speaking voice, as well as, preferably, some knowledge of amateur telescopes and equipment. The candidate will also have a valid class "C" driver's license and provide a current three year driving record.

    To apply, send a resume and/or letter of interest to the Visitors Center's Senior Program Coordinator, Frank Cianciolo, at frankc@astro.as.utexas.edu. For questions, etc., use the same address or call 432-426-4152.

  • BYU REU
    This opportunity is great for those of you with no research experience. The program includes workshops to help you develop those skills. 10 week summer physics research program at Brigham Young University, many areas of research are available, including astronomy and theory. Deadline to apply is February 10, 2009.
  • SARA REU
    Undergraduate Research Internships in Astronomy - through the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy. Eight- to 10-week appointments may begin as early as mid-May or extend as late as early August, depending on the participant's academic calendar and particular SARA host site. Deadline is February 6, 2009.
  • UCLA REU
    This undergraduate research program is aimed at highly motivated students in the physical sciences who wish to enagage in an intensive 10-week project with a UCLA faculty member, working in Physics or Astronomy and who are in their third or fourth year in college but have not yet graduated by the summer 2009. Deadline is February 20, 2009.
  • 2010 Arecibo Observatory Summer Program
    REU for undergraduates and positions for 1st & 2nd year graduate students. Areas of research include radio and radar astronomy, and space and atmospheric sciences. Students interested in electronic instrumentation or computer sciences also encouraged to apply. Deadline is February 2.
  • Cornell University REU
    Cornell University is pleased to announce its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Observational Astronomy for the summer of 2009. The web page above contains more information and a link to the application form. Deadline is February 6, 2009.
  • NASA - Houston - Planetary Sciences
    NASA - the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience research in the planetary sciences. As a summer intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist either at the LPI or NASA Johnson Space Center. 10 week program - tent. 6/8/09 to 8/14/09. $5,000 stipend and $1,000 travel expenses for US or $1,500 for foreign nationals. Application deadline January 23, 2009.
  • Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS)
    Exceptional undergraduate students of mathematics, engineering, computer science, and physical and life science disciplines are sought, to apply to this unique summer research program. Past RIPS project sponsors included Arete, Symantec, Amgen, Pixar, JPL, Lawrence-Livermore and Los Alamos National Labs, and others. 36 students will be in-residence at UCLA for nine weeks. Applications due February 15.
  • SETI Institute REU Program
    The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2009 REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program in Astrobiology. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due by February 2, 2009. Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230.
  • The Summer Science Program
    Ready to be filled--need TAs--high pay--contact now for first hand account! (1/18/07) agnes@astro.as.utexas.edu
    Teaching Assistants act as tutors and mentors, and assist students in using astronomical equipment and personal computers, under the direction of two senior faculty. They also organize recreational and social activities, and deliver one or more lectures on topics of their own choosing. Applicants should be graduate students, graduating seniors, or rising college seniors, majoring in physical science or engineering. SSP alumni are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
    Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These REU programs only accept students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Students must contact the individual REU sites for information and application materials. Of special interest might be the REU program at McDonald Observatory
  • Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) summer program
    This program takes both US and international students. STScI manages the science mission of Hubble and of the next generation James Webb Space Telescope for NASA and provides a very dynamic science setting.
  • ASTRON/JIVE International Summer Students Programme
    In the Netherlands. The Programme enables astronomy students (graduate or advanced undergraduate) to spend the summer (10 to 12 weeks) at the Dwingeloo Observatory, conducting astronomical research under the supervision of ASTRON and JIVE staff members.
  • REU at the Synchrotron Radiation Center (SRC)
    In Madison, WI. The SRC uses an electron storage ring to provide synchrotron light as a tool for doing scientific research.
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)
NASA (NASA)