Program Overview

Astronomy - Doctor of Philosophy Overview

The Department of Astronomy offers graduate work leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. To be admitted as a regular student to the graduate school as a major in astronomy, a student must present a suitable undergraduate background with emphasis (12-16 credits) on junior-senior level physics, and mathematics.

Program Requirements

• The program requires 33 traditional course credit hours (11 classes), 4 seminar class credit hours, plus research in astronomy.
• Each student must demonstrate no later than during the third year sufficient academic and research ability to qualify for continuation in doctoral studies.

Academic Guidance and Support

• Each entering graduate student will be assigned a committee that will guide the student in choice of courses, suggest training if needed to remedy deficiencies and determine specific degree requirements in accord with the student's needs and objectives, and in agreement with departmental policies.

Research Facilities and Opportunities

• The department has access to several different observing facilities, including:
  • The Apache Point Observatory, which is home to several telescopes:
    • The ARC 3.5m telescope
    • A 1-meter telescope as part of the global SONG project
    • The ARCSAT 0.5m telescope
    • The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) 2.5m telescope
• The Department is a full partner in the SDSS project.
• The Department also operates:
  • The Dunn Solar Telescope and the Visitor Center at the Sunspot Solar Observatory
  • A 24-inch telescope on Tortugas Mountain, near the campus
• The department is home to the NASA Planetary Data System Atmosphere Node, where solar system exploration data are archived.

Examinations

• Qualifying, Comprehensive, and Final examinations are described elsewhere in the catalog.
• Questions concerning styles of the examinations should be directed to the department head.

Master of Science Degree

• The MS degree in astronomy is closely connected with the astronomy Ph.D. program.
• Questions concerning requirements should be directed to the department.