University Catalogs

Twin Cities campus

This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.

Twin Cities Campus

Astrophysics Minor

Astrophysics, Minnesota Institute for

College of Science and Engineering

Link to a list of faculty for this program.

Contact Information

Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics, 116 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-4811; fax: 612-626-2029)

Email: grad-req@astro.umn.edu

Website: http://www.astro.umn.edu

Program Type: Graduate minor related to major
Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2016
Length of program in credits (master's): 8
Length of program in credits (doctoral): 12
This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.

Astrophysics is the study of the universe and its constituent parts. The department conducts research in observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics, as well as instrument development. The main research areas include minor planetary bodies, solar system properties, dynamics of normal and active galaxies, stellar evolution, interaction of stars with their environments, the interstellar medium, astrophysical magnetohydrodynamics, and galactic and cosmological structure. Observational research includes activities that cover X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Extensive research programs in space physics, nucleosynthesis, and the elementary particle-cosmology interface are also carried out in interdisciplinary connections with the graduate program in physics.

Program Delivery

This program is available:

via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Prerequisites for Admission

The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.50.

Other requirements to be completed before admission:

Current enrollment in a related University graduate program.

For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.

Program Requirements

Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.

AST courses at the 5xxx-level or higher may be used for the minor with the exception of AST 8990 and 8200. Courses at the 4xxx-level may be used with approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.

Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.

Masters

Doctoral