Master of Science in Astronomy

The Master of Science (MS) in Astronomy provides students with a comprehensive graduate-level education in the major areas of the field.  Students can pursue thesis and non-thesis options under the supervision of world-leading faculty at the Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy, with significant research experience.  Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: astronomical instrumentation, theoretical and observational cosmology, galaxy evolution, super-massive black holes, resolved stellar populations, and the extra-galactic distance scale.

The program offers tracks for specialization in Astrophysics or Astrostatistics.  In both cases, the degree will include six core Astronomy courses: ASTR 601/PHYS 641, ASTR 602/PHYS 642, ASTR 603/PHYS 643, ASTR 604/PHYS 644, ASTR 605/PHYS 645 and ASTR 606/PHYS 646.  In addition to the six core courses, students specializing in Astrophysics will also take PHYS 615 and one of the following: PHYS 601, PHYS 603, PHYS 606 or PHYS 607.  In addition to the six core courses, students specializing in Astrostatistics will take STAT 630 and one of the following: STAT 624, STAT 636, STAT 638STAT 639 or STAT 654.

Steps to Fulfill a Masters Program