• The Master of Science program in astronomy requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit.
  • It is offered either with or without thesis. The M.S. may be a terminal degree or a step toward a Ph.D. in physics with specialization and a dissertation in astronomy or astrophysics. In either case the final examination is oral, conducted by a committee of three faculty members.
  • Each entering graduate student is assigned a faculty advisor, who assists in preparing a plan of study and in guiding the student's progress.
  • All graduate students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. in physics must pass the qualifying exam.
  • In addition to offering graduate degree programs, the Department of Physics and Astronomy participates in an interdisciplinary doctoral program, the Program in Applied Mathematical and Computational Sciences (Graduate College).