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Nov 24, 2024
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.
Master of Science - Astronomy
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 Return to: UNLV Graduate Programs
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Plan Description
The purpose of the Astronomy M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are to prepare students for a career in Astronomy or Astrophysics Research or in education at the university level. The program achieves this with a custom program for each student set up by their advisor and their advising committee. At the M.S. level we have two options. A coursework M.S., wherein students take classes at the graduate level in Astronomy and pass an exam. We also offer a thesis option where students will learn to formulate, conduct and report on research.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
- Applicants must have a regionally accredited or equivalent undergraduate degree in Physics, Astronomy or other related area.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a minimum 3.00 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate work.
- Applicants must have completed 18 semester credits of upper-division physics.
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Applicants must submit a letter of intent.
- Three letters of recommendation – at least one from an individual familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and potential for degree completion. These letters of recommendation will be requested by and must be submitted through the Graduate College online application system.
- All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis
Total Credits Required: 30
Required Courses – Credits: 24
Complete 24 credits of 600- or 700-level AST or PHYS courses, or other advisor-approved courses.
Degree Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits.
- Complete a minimum of 15 credits (excluding thesis) in 700-level astronomy or physics courses.
- A GPA of 3.00 or better is required in all course work which is part of the degree program.
- In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
Graduation Requirements
The student must successfully complete and defend a thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Subplan 2 Requirements: Non-Thesis
Total Credits Required: 30
Required Courses – Credits: 6
Core Courses – Credits: 6
Complete two of the following courses:
Elective Courses – Credits: 18
Complete 18 credits of 600- or 700-level AST or PHYS courses, or other advisor-approved courses.
Degree Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 30 graduate level credits in physics, astronomy, or related fields (excluding graduate seminar).
- Complete at least 15 credits of 700-level astronomy or physics courses.
- A GPA of 3.00 or better in all course work which is part of the degree program.
- In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
- Satisfactory performance on an astronomy qualifying examination on graduate astronomy knowledge at the master’s level.
Graduation Requirements
The student must pass a qualifying examination.
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
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Return to: UNLV Graduate Programs
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