Astronomy, Master of Science (M.S.)
Thesis option: 33 credits
Non-thesis option: 32 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete eight of the ten principal courses: | 24 | |
| Radiative Processes | ||
| Stellar Structure and Evolution | ||
| Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques | ||
| Computational Astrophysics | ||
| Galaxies | ||
| Cosmology | ||
| Planetary Science | ||
| Exoplanetary Astrophysics | ||
| Interstellar Medium and Gas Dynamics | ||
| High Energy Astrophysics | ||
| Both thesis and non-thesis students take each of the following research courses: | ||
| ASTR688 | Special Topics in Modern Astronomy (ASTR688B - Current Astronomy Research) | 1 |
| ASTR688 | Special Topics in Modern Astronomy (ASTR688C - Seminar in Modern Astronomy Research) | 1 |
| ASTR695 | Introduction to Research | 1 |
| Thesis or non-thesis option | 5-6 | |
| Thesis (6 credits): | ||
| Master's Thesis Research | ||
Master's Thesis Defense | ||
| Non-thesis (5 credits): | ||
| Special Problems in Advanced Astronomy | ||
Second-Year Project Presentation | ||
| Total Credits | 32-33 | |
Non-thesis Option
32 credits. A minimum of 32 semester hours of coursework is required for the degree program. This must include 24 hours of 600-level ASTR courses from the list of principal courses. The remaining 8 semester hours come from additional 600-level courses. Students must complete a second-year project which includes one or more scholarly papers demonstrating their ability to conduct original and/or literature-based research. The student will orally present their second-year project to a committee of tenured and tenure-track Astronomy faculty who will evaluate the project and presentation.
Thesis Option
33 credits. A minimum of 33 semester hours of coursework is required for the degree program. This must include 24 hours of 600-level ASTR courses from the list of principal courses. The remaining 9 semester hours come from 3 additional credits of 600-level courses and 6 credits of ASTR799. A written thesis is required and must be successfully defended in an oral examination following Graduate School policies and procedures.