The Pre–Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP) is an enrichment program housed in the University of Washington Astronomy Department that started Autumn 2005. Pre-MAP is for incoming UW students without experience in programming and/or scientific research who are interested in math and science and who are traditionally underrepresented in astronomy, such as low-income and/or first-generation college students. See our students page to meet this year’s Pre-MAP students.
Students who wish to participate in Pre-MAP are recommended (but not required) to register for Astronomy 102, an introductory course taught in the Autumn quarter. They also register for a 5 credit seminar, Astronomy 192, led by a specially trained graduate student. See our page on how to join Pre-MAP for details.
Our Pre-MAP students have a unique opportunity to learn astronomical research techniques and apply them to research projects conducted in small groups. These projects involve the use of cutting edge facilities and/or data available to UW astronomers, such as the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico or the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) database. Check out the sample research projects page for some examples.
In addition, every Pre-MAP student receives one-on-one mentoring and peer support for at least the duration of the academic year, and has an opportunity to continue or expand their research project.
Interested? Email the Astronomy Department Academic Advisor, Elisa Quintana, at astroadvising@uw.edu . If you’re not an incoming transfer or freshman student, you can email the course instructor to see if you can be added to the waitlist.
If you have any questions, or need more information about Pre-MAP, please contact us:
astroadvising@uw.edu