Bachelor of Science - Astronomy

Astronomy at Williams College spans the very old and the very new. The Hopkins Observatory is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in the United States. It houses the earliest telescope by the famous maker Alvan Clark, whose company ultimately made the still-largest refracting telescope. At the same time, current astronomy faculty and students research with some of the world’s most advanced telescopes.

The Department offers courses for both majors and non-majors. Many astronomy courses take advantage of on-campus observing facilities that include a 24-inch computer-controlled telescope with CCD detectors for imaging and spectroscopy, along with our computer network for image processing. Specialized telescopes for observing the Sun are adjacent.

Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, the college is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics. The undergraduate enrollment is approximately 2,000 students.

The student-faculty ratio is 6:1.

Williams admits U.S. students without regard to their ability to pay. The college meets 100 per cent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years. Just over half of all Williams students receive financial aid from the college.