Astronomy Education in Universities of China

Abstract

In China, more than twenty universities have astronomy education and research work. In four key universities, a complete series of educational programs of undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels has been formed. After four-year study at the undergraduate stage, students can be enrolled in master degree specialties. Three years later, some of them begin their three-year Ph.D. education. Only a few students enter into post-doctoral programs. Master’s and doctoral education systems are also established in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In this paper, we give a description of the astronomy education of universities in China. After introducing the overall situation, we describe teaching materials, graduate-degree courses and facilities. We also discuss some problems and prospects for the new century.