The Burunh Program
Education and Degree Programs
This subject will introduce students to the discipline of Cultural Astronomy, focusing on the science embedded within astronomical knowledges and traditions of Indigenous cultures around the world, with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia.
This subject will explore all aspects of the universe, from the solar system to the Milky Way and beyond. We focus on why humans become interested in the celestial world, how we explore it, and current ideas in cosmology and astrophysics, with discussions about recent discoveries.
This subject will explore the key ideas about the nature of life, the formation of the Earth, and the structure of the universe. Armed with an understanding of how life evolved on Earth, the we will then explore the possibilities for life elsewhere in the cosmos - from solar system and beyond.
This subject will examine how astronomical knowledge has developed throughout the world, from cosmological models to astrological predictions. It combines simple astronomical observations and study of historical instruments with classes discussing the development of astronomy in different cultures ranging from East Asia via the Middle East and Europe to Central America and Australia.
This subject will introduce students to archaeoastronomy by studying the monuments, stone circles, temples, and materials of ancient cultures of the world. The subject will provide a rigorous study of the ancient developments and uses of astronomy while offering reflections on cross-cultural studies of science, focusing on Mesoamerica, the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, east Asia, Australia and Africa.
This subject on astrosociology will explore sociological and philosophical questions and challenges about humanity's presence in space, our development of new technologies, and the future of astronomy and space exploration in terms of ethics, land rights, history, space law and policy, astro-tourism, light pollution, the militarisation of space, and cultural heritage with a focus on Indigenous issues.
This upper-level physics subject provides an introduction to astrophysics, examining the structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe as a whole, degenerate stars, black holes, the structure of the Milky Way and other cosmic objects, emission processes in astrophysics, high energy astrophysics, relativistic cosmology, and cosmological models.
This project provides students in the Bachelor of Arts an opportunity to identify a research topic, write up a proposal and develop key research questions. Across the semester the student will build their research project and aim to present a final paper that presents an original contribution to existing knowledge in the discipline.
This project for the Bachelor of Science is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor.
The breadth track allows students to examine how cultures connect to the stars in terms of culture, archaeology, sociology, history, and philosophy with an emphasis on Indigenous Australia.
Minor (Bachelor of Arts)
in Cultural Astronomy
The Minor in Cultural Astronomy is offered for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree. It consists of four core subjects that examine humanity's connections to the stars. This Minor has been approved and will be offered in 2027.
Laby Research Scholars
School of Physics
The Laby Research Scholars Program provides you with a supervised introduction to research in physics. This is aimed at second or third year students who are considering enrolment in postgraduate studies and wish to gain research experience.
Graduate Programs
This combined 2-year coursework and research degree in physics involves a the completion eight graduate subjects across multiple areas of physics and professional development, and the submission of a 50 page thesis, which can be on a topic in cultural astronomy.
This research-only degree in humanities and the social sciences can focus on any topic in cultural astronomy. The 1.5 to 2 year program will result in a 30,000 word thesis, where you will make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in cultural astronomy.
This internationally recognised 2-year masters (by research) in the Faculty of Science enables candidates to study any topic in cultural astronomy. You will develop advanced research skills and specialist knowledge, and produce a thesis of 30,000 to 40,000 words in cultural astronomy.
This 3.5 year research-only degree will involve working independently on an innovative research project that results in an 80,000-word thesis, which will make a distinct contribution to knowledge in cultural astronomy.
This 3.5 year program will involve working independent research which examines a specific problem, issue or topic. You will make a significant and original contribution to cultural astronomy, completing with an 80,000-100,000 word thesis.
This distinctive degree is designed to recognise and activate Indigenous knowledge, deepen engagement and reciprocal learning with Indigenous communities, and facilitate entry into a PhD for Indigenous candidates already engaged in academia.
ARTS9XXX
Science and Indigenous Knowledge
This planned subject will examine historical and philosophical discussions about the role of Indigenous and folk knowledges in science, how they relate, what can be learned form them, and the theoretical and methodological approaches taken.
ARTS9XXX
Indigenous Astronomy and Sky Knowledge
This planned subject will examine the role of the sky in Indigenous knowledges, including astronomy and meteorology, the theoretical and methodological approaches to analysing these knowledges, and how it relates to the Australian National Curriculum and cutting research in cultural astronomy.
Bachelor of Arts
Honours in Cultural Astronomy
This planned one-year program will enable students to pursue a fourth year of study that deep dives into cultural astronomy, consisting of coursework and a 15,000 word thesis. This will prepare graduates for MPhil and PhD programs.
Graduate Certificate
in Cultural Astronomy
This planned six-month program will build a solid foundation in cultural astronomy for further studies and research. The certificate helps you develop the analytical and critical capacities you need to understand the important issues and conceptual frameworks relating to cultural astronomy and how to apply these skills to contemporary issues. It will consist of four corse subjects.
Graduate Diploma
in Cultural Astronomy
This planned one-year program will build a solid foundation for further studies and research. Develop the analytical and critical capacities you need to apply to contemporary contexts, and understand the important issues and conceptual frameworks relating to cultural astronomy. It will include eight subjects across multiple disciplines.
Master of Cultural Astronomy
Faculty of Arts
This planned two-year degree will combine coursework and a research thesis in cultural astronomy. You will develop analytical and critical capacities to apply to contemporary contexts, particularly education, heritage, consultant archaeology, and science communication. Subjects will include those in the Graduate Diploma plus a 20,000 word thesis.
150113 (Massey University, NZ)
Tātai whetū – Māori and Indigenous Astronomy
This online course will provide students with an understanding of the origins, understandings and evolution/growth of Māori and Indigenous astronomy. With a focus primarily on Māori astronomy the key areas of learning focus on celestial knowledge, including uses, practices, movement and applications of the sun, moon and stars and how they relate to the environment as a whole and ecological systems.
The Skyscape Academy
Archaeoastronomy Programme
This online learning programme is for for those interested in going deeper and becoming archaeoastronomers or skyscape archaeologists. The programme includes a range of individual weekend courses, or you can purchase the comprehensive bundle. The bundle Includes all the weekend courses, five extra drop-in seminars, an exclusive course in December and other perks. No prior knowledge of astronomy or archaeology needed.
Coursera
Archaeoastronomy
This short MOOC course provides the first complete, easy introduction to Archaeoastronomy, often called the “science of stars and stones”. It is an interdisciplinary science in between architecture, archaeology, and astronomy. It examines the relationships between the ancient monuments and the sky, in order to gain a better understanding of the ideas of the architects of the past and of their religious and symbolic world.
This programme introduces the idea that the cosmos has been a central part of human life for thousands of years, influencing everything from religion and art to politics and architecture. Cultural Astronomy and Astrology looks at the ways people across time and place have made sense of the universe and their place within it. You will study both astronomy, the scientific study of the stars, and astrology, the practice of linking the movements of celestial bodies to human experience.
Full-time distance learning course that explores how humanity has understood and connected with the cosmos throughout history. The programme offers a unique perspective on our place in the universe by examining the ways people have looked to the heavens for meaning and guidance. From ancient civilisations to the present day, humans have turned to the sky for answers, shaping art, religion, politics, and architecture in the process.
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is a unique distance learning course that explores how humans connect with the planets, stars, and sky, and how these connections shape culture and society. The course takes a multi-disciplinary humanities approach to give students a full understanding of the subject. This broad approach helps to explain the complex links between astrological, astronomical, and cosmological beliefs and practices across different times and cultures.
The Mary Lugton Postdoctoral Fellowship rotates across the disciplines of Art Conservation, Medicine, Botany, Science, Engineering, and History. Mary Lugton Fellows may be based in any Faculty at the University and hold one of the above disciplinary fellowships, provided the applicant can demonstrate in their application how their proposed project is within the relevant discipline designated for award in a given year.
Established in 2010, the McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowship builds the capability of high calibre scholars at the pivotal early career stage. The fellowship is a period of concentrated research time that enables outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their research, generate new projects and collaborations, develop research leadership capabilities, and contribute to the broader research objectives of the University.
The Puzey Postdoctoral Fellowship is available to outstanding early career Australian researchers working in the fields of medicine, science and engineering. The fellowship is awarded annually and supported by the Elizabeth and Vernon Puzey Foundation Trust, which was established in 1992 with the aim of enabling Australian researchers to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.