Master of Arts in Astronomy

• Course Requirements:
  A minimum of 30 credit hours, including any three astronomy graduate core courses. 
• Thesis: 
  A thesis may be required at the discretion of the department.  Students for whom the thesis requirement is waived must still complete a project that demonstrates research proficiency. 
• Final Examination: 
  An oral examination must be passed covering general astronomy at the A451/A452 level, the core courses applied toward the degree, and the thesis research.

Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy

• Course Requirements:
  A total of 90 credit hours.  Graduate studies is organized around 7 core courses: A505, A520, A540, A550, A570, A575 and A580.  Normally, each of these courses is offered every other year, and they may be taken in any sequence.  The remainder of the graduate program consists of elective courses, seminars on advanced topics, research, and dissertation. 
• Grades:
  Grades below B (3.0) in core courses may be counted toward degree requirements only at the discretion of the department. 
• Minor:
  Most doctoral candidates in astronomy minor in physics.  Other minors may be permitted at the discretion of the department. 
• Qualifying Examination:
  In order to be advanced to candidacy, a student must pass a written examination covering the core course material plus general astronomy at the A451/A452 level.  The examination may be taken no more than twice.  The examination is usually offered once a year at the start of the fall semester.  In its current form, it consists of one 4 hour exam and one 3.5 hour exam covering the material in the core courses and general astronomy knowledge at the undergraduate level. 
• Candidacy Seminar:
  The candidacy seminar is an oral presentation to the research committee, usually consisting of a thesis proposal and/or a summary of past research activity. It must be completed within a year of passing the written Qualifying Examination (typically by the start of the fourth year of residence). 
• Final Examination:
  Oral defense of the dissertation.

Doctor of Philosophy in Astrophysics

• Course Requirements:
  A total of 90 credit hours, including the following courses or their equivalents: Physics P506, P511, P521, P556; four courses from among Astronomy A505, A520, A540, A550, A570, A575 and A580; one course from among P507, P512, P637, G630, and G650 or a fifth astronomy core course; and dissertation. 
• Minor:
  By meeting the course requirements for this degree, a student from the Department of Astronomy will automatically fulfill the requirements for a minor in physics, and a student from the Department of Physics will automatically fulfill the requirements for a minor in astronomy. 
• Foreign Language/Research-Skill Requirement:
  A student in the Astrophysics Program must meet the foreign language/research-skill requirements (if any) of the department of residence. 
• Grades:
  Grades below B (3.0) in astronomy and physics courses may be counted toward degree requirements only with the consent of the astrophysics committee. 
• Qualifying Examination:
  A student must pass specially designated parts of the qualifying examinations of both departments--specifically, half of the physics qualifying examination, which emphasizes classical mechanics, electromagnetism (through Chapter 6 of Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics), and statistical physics--plus part of the astronomy qualifying examination.  The examination requirements must be satisfied by the end of the student's sixth semester in residence.  The department of residence may also specify its own deadline for passage of the examination it administers. 
• Candidacy Seminar:
  The candidacy seminar is an oral presentation to the research committee, usually consisting of a thesis proposal and/or a summary of past research activity. It must be completed within a year of passing the written Qualifying Examination (typically by the start of the fourth year of residence).  
• Final Examination:
  Oral defense of dissertation.