Astrophysics

The program provides fundamental graduate training in astrophysics to prepare candidates for further graduate study or careers in astrophysics, such as:

• scientific staff positions at government laboratories
• teaching at the community college level
• technical positions in industry

Twenty credit hours are from structured courses. The student, with the approval of the advisor and supervisory committee (formed upon enrollment), selects courses that make up a coherent plan of study. For students in the astrophysics program, course work consists of:

core: (18)

• AST 521 Stars and Interstellar Medium I (3)
• AST 522 Stars and Interstellar Medium II (3)
• AST 523 Stars and Interstellar Medium III (3)
• AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3)
• AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3)
• AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3)
• electives or research (3)

other requirements (3)*

• GLG 500 Earth and Space Exploration Colloquium (1)
• GLG 591 Seminar Topic: Faculty Research Seminar (1)
• AST 591 Seminar - Various Topics (1)

culminating experience: (6)

• AST 599 Thesis (6)

*These courses are combined with additional work in core fields such as physics or mathematics and provide comprehensive graduate training in the major fields of astrophysics. All students in the School of Earth and Space Exploration are also required to take three one-credit hour seminars.

Students are expected to exhibit mastery of topics in these core fields and may be required by their advisor and committee to include such courses in their plan of study. Specific course requirements may be waived by the advisor and the graduate oversight committee if the student has successfully completed equivalent courses at universities elsewhere. Individual plans of study that include work in related fields may also be designed with advisor approval, subject to the requirements of the Division of Graduate Education.

The master's degree plan of study also includes six credit hours of thesis credit or AST 599. Students must follow the Division of Graduate Education policies and procedures for admission to the program and for fulfilling the requirements of the degree.

Thesis requirements: A thesis based on observational, theoretical, laboratory or literature research in astrophysics is required.

Final Examination: A final oral examination in defense of the thesis is required.

Applicants must submit all materials electronically though the online graduate admission application. In addition to the materials required by the Division of Graduate Education, students applying for admission to the master's degree program in astrophysics must submit:

1. scores on the general GRE
2. scores on the physics GRE
3. statement of purpose
4. three letters of recommendation

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Division of Graduate Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Scholarships

• Global Education