Astronomy, Master of Science (M.S.)

Thesis or Non-thesis option: 30 credits  

Non-thesis Option

30 credits. Non-thesis option requires 30 credits of coursework including six of the nine principal Astronomy graduate courses, and at least 18 credits at the 600 level or above. Students must also submit a scholarly paper and pass a comprehensive final exam.

Candidates for the non-thesis option of the M.S. degree are required to complete 30 credits, including six of the nine principal Astronomy graduate courses (18 credits), with the remaining 12 credits consisting of classroom courses or research credits in Astronomy or supporting fields. One or more scholarly papers are required, usually fulfilled by the 2nd-year project report. The student must also pass a written examination, normally consisting of the written part of the Ph.D. qualifying examination with appropriately chosen passing requirements.

Thesis Option

30 credits. Thesis option requires 30 credits of coursework including six of the nine principal Astronomy graduate courses and six credits of ASTR799.

Candidates for the thesis option of the M.S. degree (less common) are required to complete 30 credits, including 6 credits of thesis research (ASTR799) and eight graduate courses (24 credits). At least six of the courses must come from the nine principal Astronomy graduate courses ASTR601, ASTR606, ASTR610, ASTR615, ASTR620, ASTR622, ASTR630, ASTR670, and ASTR680. A written thesis is required and must be successfully defended in an oral examination. The student must also pass a written examination, normally consisting of the written part of the Ph.D. qualifying examination with appropriately chosen passing requirements.