Academics

Graduate Degrees

Student Graduating

A graduate student in our program earns a PhD in Physics, but on a Planetary Sciences Track. The requirements and courses are somewhat different from the regular PhD Physics program, though there are common features. You can find more details about our program on the appropriate page on our website. There is also a general departmental website on graduate programs.

We also offer MS degrees through the Planetary Science Track, but note that (a) we do not often admit students whose goal is a terminal MS, and (b) there is no non-thesis MS option. Please contact us for more info. Note that if your ultimate career goal is a PhD, there is no need to formally apply to our MS program first. Just apply straight away to the PhD program.

The large majority of our graduate students are admitted for a Fall semester start. Technically we accept applications for a Spring admission too, but in practice (for various reasons) a Spring admission is rare. In many cases, it is better to simply apply for a Fall admission. If you are considering submitting an application to our graduate program for a Spring semester start, please contact us first to see if it is worthwhile to do so, since we don’t want you to waste your application fee money on what could be a pointless exercise. In your email, tell us why you would prefer to start in the Spring, and which faculty you have (hopefully already) been talking to about research.

Undergraduate Degrees

An undergraduate student in our program earns a BS in Physics, but with an Astronomy Specialization. You can find more details about our specialization on the appropriate page on our website. There is also a general departmental website on undergraduate programs.

Note that there is no Astronomy Specialization in the Physics BA program, although you may be able to take astronomy courses as electives in that program.

We also offer an Astronomy Minor.