Astronomy - Master of Science
The Astronomy Department at NMSU offers programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Graduate courses cover topics in astrophysics, stellar atmospheres, observational techniques, the interstellar medium, galactic structure, star formation and evolution, extragalactic objects, cosmology, and solar system studies. Students also take courses in other relevant fields to broaden their knowledge and capabilities.
Upon successful completion of the written and oral portions of the PhD comprehensive exam, it is the intention of the department that a student be awarded an M.S. degree in Astronomy. Other students may elect to pursue a Terminal Master's degree rather than a Ph.D. upon the advice of their committee.
Terminal Masters: Thesis track
The rules for a Terminal M.S.: Thesis track are outlined below.
For the Terminal M.S. degree in Astronomy, the student must satisfy the requirements of the Department as well as those established by the Graduate School. The Department requires a minimum of 33 credits of which six are generally for Master's Thesis research.
The MINIMUM course requirements for a Thesis MS will include
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 500 | Seminar (3 credits (1 per semester)) 5 | 3 |
| Choose five courses from the following ASTR courses 6 | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Astrophysics | ||
| Dynamics and Hydrodynamics | ||
| Gas and Radiative Processes | ||
| Observational Techniques | ||
| Stellar Spectroscopy | ||
| Galaxies I | ||
| Stellar Interiors | ||
| Interstellar Medium | ||
| Galaxies II | ||
| Planetary Processes | ||
| Planetary System Formation | ||
| Advanced Methods in Astrophysics | ||
| Heliophysics, Space Plasmas, and Space Weather | ||
| Special Topics. | ||
| Select additional two courses from ASTR courses above, OR from the courses below 7 | 6 | |
| Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | ||
| Mathematical Methods of Physics I | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory II | ||
| Advanced Experimental Optics | 0,3 | |
| Advanced Computational Physics I | ||
| Fundamentals of Photonics | 0,4 | |
| Fourier Methods in Electro-Optics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Research Programs 4 | ||
| ASTR 598 | Special Research Programs | 3 |
| Masters Research | ||
| ASTR 599 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 4
ASTR 598 Special Research Programs is generally taken in the student's 2nd year (fall or spring) and is intended to provide a semi-formal introduction to doing a research project. It may involve research that subsequently develops into a thesis project.
- 5
ASTR 500 Seminar is 1-credit course. It should be taken each semester, for 3 total credits over this track
- 6
Any 15 credits (5 courses) selected from these. Each course may only be taken for 3 credits.
- 7
In addition to 5 courses from above, students should select another 2 courses (3 credits each, 6 credits total). This can be either another two astronomy graduate classes from above (which will make 7 total different astronomy courses) OR student may opt to take up to 2 out-of-department classes to fulfill the overall credit requirements if these classes are deemed by the student's committee to be appropriate to the student's program-of-study.
A maximum of one 3-credit course numbered between 450 and 499 can be applied to the out-of-department course/credit-hour requirement, and only with the approval of the student's Committee. Otherwise, out of department classes must be at the 500 or greater level.
If more than 6 credits of out-of-department classes are taken, they may potentially count toward the required total courses/credit hours, but only with the approval of the student's Committee.
Traditionally, these have been in the area of PHYS, E E and C S, as listed. Other Physics courses, or courses offered by other departments such as Engineering, Geology, or Math, are also viable as out-of-department courses. Additionally, for those students intending to specialize in planetary science, courses taught in the Geology department and Geophysics courses taught in the Physics department should be considered.
Terminal Masters: Coursework-only track
The rules for a Terminal M.S.: Coursework-only track are outlined below.
A thesis is nearly always required for a Terminal M.S. degree. However, under some exceptional circumstances, the thesis requirement may be waived, in which case the credit requirements must be satisfied in formal course work. Such a waiver requires agreement by both the student's committee and the Department Head. In all cases, the student seeking a Terminal M.S. degree must pass a final oral examination covering course and any relevant research work. Any regular Terminal M.S. degree program will require a thesis.
For a student who has decided and been approved to pursue a Course-work only MS Astronomy degree, the MINIMUM course requirements are:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 500 | Seminar (3 credits (1 per semester)) 5 | 3 |
| Choose seven courses from the following ASTR courses 8 | 21 | |
| Fundamentals of Astrophysics | ||
| Dynamics and Hydrodynamics | ||
| Gas and Radiative Processes | ||
| Observational Techniques | ||
| Stellar Spectroscopy | ||
| Galaxies I | ||
| Stellar Interiors | ||
| Interstellar Medium | ||
| Galaxies II | ||
| Planetary Processes | ||
| Planetary System Formation | ||
| Advanced Methods in Astrophysics | ||
| Heliophysics, Space Plasmas, and Space Weather | ||
| Special Topics. | ||
| Select additional two courses from ASTR courses above, OR from the courses below 9 | 6 | |
| Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | ||
| Mathematical Methods of Physics I | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory II | ||
| Advanced Experimental Optics | 0,3 | |
| Advanced Computational Physics I | ||
| Fundamentals of Photonics | 0,4 | |
| Fourier Methods in Electro-Optics | 3 | |
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Research Programs 4 | ||
| ASTR 598 | Special Research Programs | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 5
ASTR 500 Seminar is 1-credit course. It should be taken each semester, for 3 total credits over this track
- 8
Any 21 credits (7 courses) selected from these. Each course may only be taken for 3 credits.
- 9
In addition to 7 courses from above, students should select another 2 courses (3 credits each, 6 credits total). This can be either another two astronomy graduate classes from above (which will make 9 total different astronomy courses) OR student may opt to take up to 2 out-of-department classes to fulfill the overall credit requirements if these classes are deemed by the student's committee to be appropriate to the student's program-of-study.
A maximum of one 3-credit course numbered between 450 and 499 can be applied to the out-of-department course/credit-hour requirement, and only with the approval of the student's Committee. Otherwise, out of department classes must be at the 500 or greater level.
If more than 6 credits of out-of-department classes are taken, they may potentially count toward the required total courses/credit hours, but only with the approval of the student's Committee.
Traditionally, these have been in the area of PHYS, E E and C S, as listed. Other Physics courses, or courses offered by other departments such as Engineering, Geology, or Math, are also viable as out-of-department courses. Additionally, for those students intending to specialize in planetary science, courses taught in the Geology department and Geophysics courses taught in the Physics department should be considered.
- 4
ASTR 598 Special Research Programs is generally taken in the student's 2nd year (fall or spring) and is intended to provide a semi-formal introduction to doing a research project. It may involve research that subsequently develops into a thesis project.
Masters degree: Upon completion of PhD comprehensive exam track
The requirements for the Masters track are for the student to have completed their PhD comprehensive exam, and the following credits:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 500 | Seminar (4 credits (1 per semester)) 1 | 4 |
| Choose nine courses from the following ASTR courses 2 | 27 | |
| Fundamentals of Astrophysics | ||
| Dynamics and Hydrodynamics | ||
| Gas and Radiative Processes | ||
| Observational Techniques | ||
| Stellar Spectroscopy | ||
| Galaxies I | ||
| Stellar Interiors | ||
| Interstellar Medium | ||
| Galaxies II | ||
| Planetary Processes | ||
| Planetary System Formation | ||
| Advanced Methods in Astrophysics | ||
| Heliophysics, Space Plasmas, and Space Weather | ||
| Special Topics. | ||
| Select additional two courses from ASTR courses above, OR from the courses below 3 | 6 | |
| Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | ||
| Mathematical Methods of Physics I | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory II | ||
| Advanced Experimental Optics | 0,3 | |
| Advanced Computational Physics I | ||
| Fundamentals of Photonics | 0,4 | |
| Fourier Methods in Electro-Optics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Research Programs 4 | ||
| ASTR 598 | Special Research Programs | 3 |
| Pre-dissertation Research 5 | ||
| ASTR 600 | Pre-dissertation Research | 6 |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
- 1
ASTR 500 Seminar is 1-credit course. It should be taken each semesters, for 4 total credits over the program
- 2
Any 27 credits (9 courses) selected from these. Each course may only be taken for 3 credits.
- 3
In addition to 9 courses from above, students should select another 2 courses (3 credits each, 6 credits total). This can be either another two astronomy graduate classes from above (which will make 7 total different astronomy courses) OR student may opt to take up to 2 out-of-department classes to fulfill the overall credit requirements if these classes are deemed by the student's committee to be appropriate to the student's program-of-study.
A maximum of one 3-credit course numbered between 450 and 499 can be applied to the out-of-department course/credit-hour requirement, and only with the approval of the student's Committee. Otherwise, out of department classes must be at the 500 or greater level.
If more than 6 credits of out-of-department classes are taken, they may potentially count toward the required total courses/credit hours, but only with the approval of the student's Committee.
Traditionally, these have been in the area of PHYS, E E and C S, as listed. Other Physics courses, or courses offered by other departments such as Engineering, Geology, or Math, are also viable as out-of-department courses. Additionally, for those students intending to specialize in planetary science, courses taught in the Geology department and Geophysics courses taught in the Physics department should be considered.
- 4
ASTR 598 Special Research Programs is generally taken in the student's 2nd year (fall or spring) and is intended to provide a semi-formal introduction to doing a research project. It may involve research that subsequently develops into a thesis project.
Year A
A Suggested Plan of Study For Students
A typical roadmap for the Masters Thesis track program, including course and credit-hour minimum requirements, is summarized in the following table. Note there is some flexibility for each of these components, so students should confirm all their selections directly with their advisor. Most regular graduate courses (501-597, 601-699) are offered on a 2 year rotation. So specific courses will depend on whether a student is on a year A or Year B cycle. ASTR 503 Fundamentals of Astrophysics is offered each fall and should be taken by all students in their first year only. Students may opt for up to 2 courses (6 credits) from outside the department (See Course Requirements). ASTR 598 Special Research Programs and ASTR 599 Master's Thesis are offered every semester, as one-on-one research credits with an advisor.
For a student on wishing to pursue a Master Coursework-only track, they may substitute the 6 credits of 599 credits for any of the regular Yr A or Yr B courses
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| ASTR 503 | Fundamentals of Astrophysics | 3 |
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Observational Techniques | ||
| Stellar Interiors | ||
| Interstellar Medium | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Choose three courses from the following | 9 | |
| Planetary System Formation | ||
| Advanced Methods in Astrophysics | ||
| Heliophysics, Space Plasmas, and Space Weather | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Choose one from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Galaxies I | ||
| Planetary Processes | ||
| Special Topics. | ||
| Research Programs Course 2 | 0-3 | |
| Special Research Programs 2 | ||
| ASTR 599 | Master's Thesis 3,4 | 3 |
| Credits | 7-10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ASTR 599 | Master's Thesis 3, 4 | 3-9 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Dynamics and Hydrodynamics | ||
| Stellar Spectroscopy | ||
| Galaxies II | ||
| Research Programs Course 2 | 0-3 | |
| Special Research Programs 2 | ||
| Credits | 6-15 | |
| Total Credits | 33-45 | |
- 1
- Students must take ASTR 500 Seminar as 1-credit in each of their first 3 semesters, for a total of 3 credits over 2 years
- 2
Students must take ASTR 598 Special Research Programs for 3 credits during fall of Yr2 or spring of Yr2.
- 3
Students on a Thesis track must take 6 total credits of ASTR 599 Master's Thesis in Yr 2. Students on a coursework-only track may substitute any 6 credits of regular Yr2 course in place of 599 credits
- 4
Students on a Thesis track who have completed 10 credits in each of their first 3 semesters, including 3 ASTR 598 Special Research Programs and 3 ASTR 599 Master's Thesis in fall of Yr2 only require 3 credits of ASTR 599 in spring of Yr2 in order to meet minimum requirements as detailed in Course Requirements above. Students on a Coursework-only track who have completed 10 credits in each of their first 3 semester, including 3 ASTR 598, only require 3 more regular course credits in spring of Yr2. However graduate students must enroll in 9 credits each semester in order to remain full time and retain eligibility for an GA. For students in their final semester of dissertation writing, it is possible to petition the Graduate School for permission to enroll in fewer credits, for that one semester only, to reduce tuition expenses. For students who do not complete their Masters in 2 years, they should continue to enroll in ASTR 599 in future semesters.
Year B
A Suggested Plan of Study For Students
A typical roadmap for the Masters Thesis track program, including course and credit-hour minimum requirements, is summarized in the following table. Note there is some flexibility for each of these components, so students should confirm all their selections directly with their advisor. Most regular graduate courses (501-597, 601-699) are offered on a 2 year rotation. So specific courses will depend on whether a student is on a year A or Year B cycle. ASTR 503 Fundamentals of Astrophysics is offered each fall and should be taken by all students in their first year only. Students may opt for up to 2 courses (6 credits) from outside the department (See Course Requirements). ASTR 598 Special Research Programs and ASTR 599 Master's Thesis are offered every semester, as one-on-one research credits with an advisor.
For a student on wishing to pursue a Master Coursework-only track, they may substitute the 6 credits of 599 credits for any of the regular Yr A or Yr B courses
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| ASTR 503 | Fundamentals of Astrophysics | 3 |
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Galaxies I | ||
| Planetary Processes | ||
| Special Topics. | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Choose three from the following: | 9 | |
| Dynamics and Hydrodynamics | ||
| Stellar Spectroscopy | ||
| Galaxies II | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ASTR 500 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Choose one from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Observational Techniques | ||
| Stellar Interiors | ||
| Interstellar Medium | ||
| Research Programs Course 2 | 0-3 | |
| Special Research Programs | ||
| ASTR 599 | Master's Thesis 3,4 | 3 |
| Credits | 7-10 | |
| Spring | ||
| ASTR 599 | Master's Thesis 3, 4 | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Planetary System Formation | ||
| Advanced Methods in Astrophysics | ||
| Research Programs Course 2 | 0-3 | |
| Special Research Programs | ||
| Credits | 6-9 | |
| Total Credits | 33-39 | |
- 1
- Students must take ASTR 500 Seminar as 1-credit in each of their first 3 semesters, for a total of 3 credits over 2 years
- 2
Students must take ASTR 598 Special Research Programs for 3 credits during fall of Yr2 or spring of Yr2.
- 3
Students on a Thesis track must take 6 total credits of ASTR 599 Master's Thesis in Yr 2. Students on a coursework-only track may substitute any 6 credits of regular Yr2 course in place of 599 credits
- 4
Students on a Thesis track who have completed 10 credits in each of their first 3 semesters, including 3 ASTR 598 Special Research Programs and 3 ASTR 599 Master's Thesis in fall of Yr2 only require 3 credits of ASTR 599 in spring of Yr2 in order to meet minimum requirements as detailed in Course Requirements above. Students on a Coursework-only track who have completed 10 credits in each of their first 3 semester, including 3 ASTR 598, only require 3 more regular course credits in spring of Yr2. However graduate students must enroll in 9 credits each semester in order to remain full time and retain eligibility for an GA. For students in their final semester of dissertation writing, it is possible to petition the Graduate School for permission to enroll in fewer credits, for that one semester only, to reduce tuition expenses. For students who do not complete their Masters in 2 years, they should continue to enroll in ASTR 599 in future semesters.