Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP). Are you... ● Considering applying to the UW? ● Interested in science? ● Interested in research? ● Interested.

Pre-Major in Astronomy Program

(Pre-MAP)

Are you...● Considering applying to the UW?● Interested in science?● Interested in research?● Interested in Astronomy?● From a traditionally

underrepresented background in the sciences?

Yes!?

Pre-MAPThere's a new program for you called

Pre-MAP (Pre-Major in Astronomy Program)– Research opportunities and mentorship

for new freshmen considering a science major

– Meet other like-minded freshmen and Astronomy graduate students & faculty

– Get involved in cutting-edge science– See if a career in scientific research is

what you really want

Pre-MAP– The Pre-MAP team will help you

● Connect to astronomy research projects● Identify resources & opportunities at UW● Navigate UW bureaucracy (yup, lots of red

tape)● Make your first year at UW a success

● The Pre-MAP seminar is small & supportive● Astro 102 is also small & more advanced● Collaboration with Astronomy faculty &

grads● Mentoring for your whole first year● As you know... Astronomy research is cool!

Benefi

ts

Astro 102ASTR 102 Introduction to Astronomy (5) NW, QSR

“Emphasis on mathematical and physical comprehension of nature, the sun, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Designed for students who have had algebra and trigonometry and high school or introductory level college physics…”

The Pre-Map SeminarASTR 192: Pre-Major in Astronomy Research Seminar

(3) NW● Tutorials & homework introduce

research tools and introductory computing skills

● Pick a research project & work in groups of 2-3 students for 2nd half of the quarter

● Give final presentations about your research

● Continue with research after 1st quarter if you enjoy the project● Present research at spring undergraduate symposium

Sample Research Project #1: Gravitational Lensing of

QSOs● Quasars (QSOs) emit tons of light● It comes from energy released as

matter falls onto a supermassive black hole

● You'll look for“gravitationally lensed”QSOs (light being bent by mass!) in data fromHubble Space Telescope

Sample Research Project #2: Supernova Search with

SDSS● Supernovae (SN) are distant

explosions of dying stars● They are some of

the brightest & most violent events

● You'll use new Sloan survey data and, by subtracting images, look for bright new objects that might be Supernovae!

Pre-MAP

Website

www.astro.washington.edu/premap

Careers in Astronomy● College/University Professor

● Research Scientist

● Teacher (college, high school)

● Telescope operator

● NASA - design, build and operate space telescopes, administration

● Science museum - design exhibits, give planetarium shows

● Private industry - aerospace, technology, computers

● Science writing - books, magazines, newspapers

Perks to being an astronomer

● Good salaries (even while you’re in school!)– Up to $35,000 a year as a graduate student

– $38,000-54,000 as a post-doc

– $50,000-55,000 as a lecturer

– Up to $150,000 as a full professor!

● Travel to exotic places for research and conferences– Puerto Rico, Japan, Greece, New Zealand, Israel,

Canary Islands, Hawaii, Yellowstone, California

Observing

with APO (in

NM!)

Pre-MAP’s

First Year

Visit to DAO in

Victoria, B.C.

Pre-MAP’s Second Year

How to Join● Let us know today that you are

interested & we'll give you registration info

● Go to the Pre-MAP web page and fill out the information form to sign up:

http://www.astro.washington.edu/premap/

● Email premap@astro.washington.edu with questions or for more information

Questions?