Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences

The APS department offers an MS and PhD degree, as well as an undergraduate minor and major; however, only students planning to earn their PhD will be considered for admission. Graduate students generally specialize in the areas of astrophysics or planetary science. 

The Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS) at the University of Colorado has a reputation of excellence, both nationally and internationally. Consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, the department enjoys a diversity of research interests with 22 rostered faculty, 50 research and affiliated faculty and 47 graduate students.

The program successfully integrates astrophysics, planetary science, solar physics and space instrumentation, with strong observational and theoretical components. These assets facilitate interaction and collaboration between the disciplines and enable students to explore a wide variety of research areas. In addition, the Sommers­Bausch Observatory on campus provides excellent hands­on experience with telescopes and observing, and the department supports the world­class Fiske Planetarium, which offers a unique opportunity for public outreach. These campus resources are complemented by other affiliated research organizations in Boulder.

The curriculum and research in the department emphasizes three major areas: astrophysics, planetary sciences and solar and space physics.

Departmental Requirements. Those wishing to pursue graduate work in APS leading to candidacy for an advanced degree should carefully read requirements for advanced degrees in the Graduate School section. The following are special departmental requirements.

Prerequisites. A thorough undergraduate preparation in physics and mathematics is necessary for graduate study. Courses should include thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, atomic physics and mathematics at least through complex variables and differential equations.

Qualifying Examination. The Graduate Record Examination aptitude tests and advanced test in physics are used in place of a qualifying examination, and this examination should be taken before the time of application to the department. 

Preliminary Interview. Students in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences are given an oral interview prior to the beginning of the fall semester of their first year. This oral interview examines fundamental knowledge in undergraduate physics and mathematics. Students are required to overcome any academic deficiencies within a year in order to remain in the program.

Course Requirements. Under Plan I, a student must present a thesis for 6 credit hours plus 24 credit hours of course work, at least 12 of which must be APS courses numbered 5000 or above. Under Plan II, additional hours of approved graduate courses must be presented for a total of 30 credit hours, of which at least 16 must be APS courses numbered 5000 or above. The master’s examination under Plan I covers the thesis and related topics. The examination under Plan II is more comprehensive and may be either written or oral or both. Master’s examinations are given after other degree requirements have been completed, but may be given during the last semester of residence if the student is making satisfactory progress on required courses. 

Requirements

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00.
3. Submit three letters of recommendation;
4. Submit directly from ETS test scores from the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the General Record Examination (GRE), as well as the Physics GRE.

There is no pre-application, but we strongly urge all applicants to have a strong physics and mathematics background, as well as a strong GPA, and strong GRE scores.GRE minimum scores of verbal 75 percent, quantitative 85 percent, analytical 75 percent. Advanced GRE minimum score approximately 40 percent.

Scholarships

• Financial support is available to all incoming students through teaching or research assistantships. Fellowships are also available upon acceptance.