Astronomy
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    Astronomy

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America
    United States of America, Paradise
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 53,560 / Year
    Next IntakeAugust 28, 2023

    Astronomy

    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

    • Post-Bachelor's Track
    • Post-Master's Track
    • 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.

    Disciplines

    College of Sciences

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    While each graduate program has unique admissions standards, the Graduate College maintains minimum standards for graduate admission. All advanced degree and certificate program applicants must meet these eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Immigration status does not impact admission to UNLV.

    1. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an approved international equivalent.
    2. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for your bachelor’s degree, or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
    3. Additional Requirements – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, writing samples or portfolios, and any other supporting documents your department/program may ask you to submit to complete your application.
    4. International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency – The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English Proficiency.
    5. Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. If the institution is outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation may be required. Please review our foreign credential evaluations page for additional guidelines, information, and requirements.
      Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

    Credentials from China: Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted. 

    Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges, are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate.

    Please note that the aforementioned requirements are the minimum requirements established and monitored by the Graduate College. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements is a necessary but not sufficient condition of admission. Admission decisions are based on applicants meeting the minimum Graduate College requirements and a more extensive and holistic departmental review, which considers a combination of factors, including indicators of success based upon academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant work experience, and the like.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career

    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.

    • AIP Career Information
    • AIP Physics Success Stories
    • AAS Career Opportunities
    • Bureau of Labor Physics and Astronomy Occupational Outlook Handbook

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 95

    How to Apply

    1. Review Admission Requirements – Review requirements for advanced degree and certificate program applicants. Be sure to check your department of interest as well because departmental requirements vary. Please note that only degree-seeking students are eligible for I-20/student visas and graduate assistantships. Certificate programs are not considered degree-seeking. However, with proper approval students may be enrolled concurrently in both degree and certificate programs.
    2. Application Procedures – To apply to the Graduate College, submit the following admission materials for consideration:
      • A completed application. Complete the application online.
      • A nonrefundable admission application fee of $95, payable online by credit card or by check/money order, to the Board of Regents, UNLV.

        *Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee.
    3. Additional Graduate College Application Materials – If needed, send any additional Graduate College admission materials (for example: your admission receipt with your check payment; your transcripts if you did not upload them into your online application; or your official transcripts upon admission; etc.) to:

      Office of Admissions

      University of Nevada, Las Vegas
      Mail Stop: 1021
      4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
      Las Vegas, NV 89154

    4. Additional Materials for your Department & Degree Program Application – Submit any additional department-required admission materials by uploading them into your online application. Please check with your graduate program of interest and refer to the application checklist on the Home tab of your Grad Rebel Gateway account in order to determine their specific admission requirements prior to submitting your online application.
    5. Financial Certification Requirement – Submit Financial Certification form and Bank Letter to the Graduate College.
      Before an I-20 can be issued, all international students must submit a completed Financial Certification form and bank letter. Even if you anticipate receiving a Graduate Assistantship, you must submit the Financial Certification form and bank letter.
      • Confidential Financial Certification

    Astronomy

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    United States of America

    United States of America, Paradise

    Go to Official Website