What type of undergrad study would allow me to do Planetary Science

[Tokage]

Hi, I'm a sophomore in college, but credit wise still a freshman I believe.

I really love Astronomy and Physics but I'm just not much of a math guy. However I do really LOVE the science aspects of studying planets.

I would love to study things such as the composition of planets when I get out of school, including our own planet. But I'd also really like to be able to for instance study the proposed sub-surface oceans on Titan and other planets, and their moons, asteroids and so on (quite the ambitious, perhaps unrealistic expectations I know.) Considering that, would I be better off studying Environmental Science as a major while I'm in school, or should I major in Astronomy&Physics (they come together as a degree here)?

 

Thanks so much for the help!

[timo]

My first thought reading your post is "geology". Not sure if it's offered as a university degree in <whatever country you are from>, tough. You should also check how big the market for planetary science jobs is (and could at the same time have a look at the typical requirement for those jobs); planetary science does not sound like a big field with countless positions; you might want to arrange for some backup plan.

[Klaynos]

Astrogeology is a growing field. Not sure what the best route would be...

[Marat]

Any good astronomy program will offer some astrogeological component. If you want to put more emphasis on the geology of other planets, then take a few courses in the geology department to support your work in astronomy. Many universities permit majors and minors, or dual majors, and astronomy as a major with geology as a minor would be an intellectually defensible combination. Also, while there are not many jobs in astronomy, there are in geology, so a minor in that could provide some employment security.