About
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. In the case of the Ph.D. the research must be original research conducted independently by the student.
Available Options
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Post-Bachelor’s Track
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Post-Master’s Track
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand astrophysics at the graduate level.
- Understand either classical mechanics or quantum theory or electromagnetic theory at the graduate level.
- Understand mathematical physics at the graduate level.
- Understand observational astronomy techniques.
- Understand astrophysics of gaseous nebulae and active galactic nuclei, and high energy astrophysics.
- Understand cosmology at the graduate level.
- Understand stellar atmospheres and the interstellar medium.
- Perform a graduate research project at the doctoral level.
- Communicate scientific research to a scientific audience.
- Possess strong background of knowledge and expertise in physics and astronomy.
Career Possibilities
Students who obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy typically develop critical skills that are very beneficial to a wide array of professions. Such skills include but are not limited to: data analysis, computer modeling, data measurement, high technology awareness/familiarity/expertise, ability to conduct independent scholarship/observation leadership, writing/communication proficiency, mathematical expertise, creativity (“thinking outside of the box”) and critical thinking/analytical reasoning. The level of skills will of course depend on the nature of the Ph.D. thesis project but in general, astrophysicists are considered to be deep thinkers and problem solvers and are thus highly sought out for high-level jobs in many areas of human endeavor. As the bedrock of all science, mastery in physics gives students confidence and ability to solve a wide variety of problems that are critically and widely relevant to society.
Soon after obtaining their Ph.D., many astrophysicists first seek postdoctoral positions - particularly for those wishing to engage in research for their career to garner more experience and develop their research interests/directions. After this, Ph.D.-level physicists typically obtain faculty positions (visiting professor, professor in residence, assistance, associate and full professor) in academic/degree-granting institutions (private and public universities with graduate level degree programs, four year colleges, professional schools and community colleges). These faculty positions are typically offered by physics departments but physicists can also be hired by chemistry, geology, materials science, atmospheric science, applied math, history of science, engineering, medical physics, and biology departments depending on their particular thesis project/field of expertise. Physicists may also teach in K-12 educational institutions (public and private) with additional teaching certification.
Astrophysicists with Ph.D.s may obtain positions in national observatories (e.g. the Keck telescope or Magdalena Ridge Observatory) or agencies such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or NASA directing and conducting research projects associated with space programs, satellite development/deployment, exoplanets, stellar and galactic observations to present some examples.
Astrophysicists are often hired by private companies in research- and leadership- based positions, many of which are technology-based (e.g. Raytheon). Many of today’s technological innovations that drive our economy (e.g. the transistor, laser, x-ray machines, NMR/MRI, CCD cameras, microwave ovens, etc.) were developed by physicists who in many cases founded companies creating these technologies. In another example during the recent catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico during 2010, an astrophysicist was appointed on a Presidential commission to investigate and seek solutions to ameliorate the disaster.
Astrophysicists have been hired by financial firms due to their proficiency in data analysis and market modeling/prediction/computer prowess.
Past graduates from the UNLV Ph.D. program in astrophysics have garnered postdoctoral positions in academia.
Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy - Astronomy
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. In the case of the Ph.D. the research must be original research conducted independently by the student.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
- Applicants must have a regionally accredited or equivalent undergraduate degree or a Masters degree in Physics, Astronomy or related area.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a minimum 3.00 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate work.
- Applicants with a Master's degree must have an overall 3.00 GPA in their Master's program and at least 15 credits of graduate-level course work in physics or astronomy with a grade of B or better. A student entering with a Master's degree will be required to complete at least 30 additional credits, including dissertation credits, beyond the Masters.
- 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.
Plan Requirements
See Subplan Requirements below.
Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Bachelor's
Course Requirements
Required Courses – Credits: 9
Theory Course – Credits: 3
Complete one of the following courses:
Astronomy Courses – Credits: 9
Complete three of the following courses:
- AST 710 - Observational Astronomy Techniques
- AST 721 - Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei
AST 721 - Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei
Loading from UNLV Catalog…Close - AST 723 - Astrophysical Fluids
- AST 725 - High Energy Astrophysics
- AST 727 - Cosmology
- AST 729 - Galaxies
- AST 731 - Stellar Atmospheres: Theory, Observation, and Analysis
- AST 747 - Interstellar Medium
- PHYS 771 - Advanced Topics in Experimental and Theoretical Physics
Seminar Course – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits of the following course, including three acceptable presentations. A total of three acceptable presentations in three different semesters during the six semesters of enrollment required.
Elective Courses – Credits: 15
Complete 15 credits of 600- or 700-level AST or PHYS courses, or other advisor-approved courses.
Dissertation – Credits: 18
Degree Requirements
- The student must complete a minimum of 60 credits.
- A minimum grade of B- is required in each course. An overall GPA of 3.00 or better is required in all course work which is part of the degree program.
- Satisfactory performance on an astronomy qualifying examination on graduate astronomy knowledge. This requirement must be fulfilled by the second year in the program. Students who fail to pass the exam within the specified timeline will be placed on academic probation and will be allowed one retake of the exam. Failure to pass the retake or meet the requirements of academic probation will result in separation.
- A dissertation of high quality consisting of significant original research.
- Satisfactory performance on a final examination which will consist of an oral defense of the dissertation.
Graduation Requirements
Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-Master's
Course Requirements
Required Courses – Credits: 0-9
Complete 0-9 credits from the following list of courses:
Theory Course – Credits: 0-3
Complete 0-3 credits from the following list of courses:
Astronomy Courses – Credits: 0-9
Complete 0-9 credits from the following list of courses:
- AST 710 - Observational Astronomy Techniques
- AST 721 - Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei
AST 721 - Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei
Loading from UNLV Catalog…Close - AST 723 - Astrophysical Fluids
- AST 725 - High Energy Astrophysics
- AST 727 - Cosmology
- AST 729 - Galaxies
- AST 731 - Stellar Atmospheres: Theory, Observation, and Analysis
- AST 747 - Interstellar Medium
- PHYS 771 - Advanced Topics in Experimental and Theoretical Physics
Seminar Course – Credits: 0-6
Complete 0-6 credits of the following, including three acceptable presentations.
Dissertation – Credits: 18
Degree Requirements
- Students must take an advisor approved combination of the coursework listed above, completing a minimum of 30 credits. Additional credits may be required to address student deficiencies or build specialized expertise.
- The total number of Required, Theory, Astronomy, and Seminar courses will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.
- A minimum grade of B- is required in each course. An overall GPA of 3.00 or better is required in all course work which is part of the degree program.
- Satisfactory performance on an astronomy qualifying examination on graduate astronomy knowledge. This requirement must be fulfilled by the second year in the program. Students who fail to pass the exam within the specified timeline will be placed on academic probation and will be allowed one retake of the exam. Failure to pass the retake or meet the requirements of academic probation will result in separation.
- A dissertation of high quality consisting of significant original research.
- Satisfactory performance on a final examination which will consist of an oral defense of the dissertation.
Graduation Requirements
Plan Graduation Requirements
The student must pass a qualifying exam and submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for dissertation 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.
Documents/Downloads
Contacts
Graduate Coordinator
Timothy L. Porter
Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers comprehensive programs on two of the most basic and fundamental sciences–physics and astronomy. Physics is the study of matter, energy, motion, and force. Its concepts help us understand how the universe behaves. Astronomy studies the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere, including celestial objects and the formation and development of the universe.
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College of Sciences
The School of Life Sciences offers programs that meet the needs of students intending to enter the workforce or pursue advanced training in the sciences, medicine, and other professional and technical fields. We provide a well-rounded foundation in natural, physical, and mathematical sciences that can set students up for successful careers and professional programs.