Academics

Graduate Degrees

Student Graduating

We technically offer four kinds of graduate degrees now, but see below for more details:

  • Planetary and Space Sciences PhD
  • Planetary and Space Sciences MS
  • Physics PhD in the Planetary Sciences Track
  • Physics MS in the Planetary Sciences Track

Planetary and Space Sciences PhD

This is a new program as of Fall 2025. We are one of the very few institutions in the world to offer this degree! Since this program is so new, we are slowly populating/editing various webpages with info about it. But check out the Graduate Studies page, the Graduate Catalog, and the program Handbook for lots more info! Right now we are encouraging applications from new students who want to start in this program in Fall 2026. Our intent is for this program to replace the Planetary Sciences Track. Currently, the requirements for the PSS PhD are extremely similar to those for the Planetary Sciences Track.

Planetary and Space Sciences MS

This is likewise a new degree for Fall 2025. Currently, this MS degree is only available to students who (i) are already in the PSS PhD program, (ii) have advanced to candidacy, and (iii) do not already have an MS degree in this or a closely-related field. I.e. right now we only have an MS ‘along the way’ degree. Our intent is to have a more-broadly available MS degree (not just ‘along the way’ to the PhD) ready by Fall 2026.

Physics PhD in the Planetary Sciences Track

This is the PhD degree program we have been running since 2009, and is a track within the Physics Department’s regular Physics graduate program. 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. However, note that we will not be accepting applications to the program after Spring 2026. Our intent is for current students in the track to complete their degrees, and then we will remove the track.

Physics MS in the Planetary Sciences Track

We also offer MS degrees through the Planetary Science Track. However, note that we will not be accepting applications to the program after Spring 2026. Our intent is for current students in the track to complete their degrees, and then we will remove the track.

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.