This semester, changes are afoot in the astronomy department.

In response to student feedback, the department made several changes that will go into effect this year, including changing the name of the Bachelor of Science degree from Astronomy and Physics to Astrophysics. The Bachelor of Arts degree will keep its name of Astronomy. The department has refocused the B.S. major on the core science skills necessary for a career in science, adding new courses like Astrostatistics and Data Mining (ASTR 356), which focuses on statistical analysis. Faculty have also made it a priority to do field work in observatories. Astronomy director of undergraduate studies Debra Fischer also reviewed all of the majors courses, revising the curriculum to eliminate overlap between courses and ensure that the curriculum is in sequential order. According to faculty members interviewed, these changes are geared at better preparing students for careers in science.

I think the redesigned curriculum prepares the students better for anything they want to do, Fischer wrote in an email. They will hit the ground running if they decide to go to grad school.

Victoria Misenti, assistant astronomy DUS, said that the majors former name, Astronomy and Physics, was sometimes mistakenly thought to be a double major. Other professors also said that the majors new name is much stronger.

[Students] didnt feel that the name was clear enough for them to be able to successfully go into graduate programs or professional careers as astronomers, Misenti said. Astrophysics was much stronger it meant something more to these graduate programs.

While Fischer said she is not sure the name change is significant, astronomy professor Louise Edwards said she hopes it will prove important. Edwards added that she hopes the majors new name will help employers recognize that Yales program develops strong analytical skills in its students.

Students are pleased with the changes, Misenti said, adding that while only the Class of 2017 and below need to meet the new set of requirements, most upperclassmen want to anyway. She also noted that the increasing number of majors suggests students are pleased with the changes.

Astronomy and physics major Hannah Alpert 15, who participated in a focus group her sophomore year to discuss possible changes for the major, said she was happy to see that many of the concerns voiced by students in the group had been resolved with the recent changes. Many of her peers desired more intermediate classes before the change, classes were split between lower level introductory classes and higher level classes, she said.

I dont think the changes are very drastic, but noticeable in a good way, Alpert said.

Though she was a part of the focus group, Alpert said she is unaware of what all the changes entail. She added there will be a discussion for undergraduates on Nov. 14 about the changes. A new committee will also be formed to review the current curriculum.

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Renamed astrophysics major revamps curriculum