Campuses:
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 MinorAstrophysics, Minnesota Institute for
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics, 130 Tate Hall, 116 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-4811; fax: 612-626-2029)
Email:
MIfA@umn.edu
Website: https://cse.umn.edu/mifa
Astrophysics is the study of the universe and its constituent parts. The Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics 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
Prerequisites for Admission
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Students interested in the minor are strongly encouraged to confer with their major field advisor and director of graduate studies, and the Astrophysics director of graduate studies regarding feasibility and requirements.
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.
Courses must be taken on the A-F grade basis, unless only offered S/N, with a minimum grade of C earned for each course.
Approval by the advisor and director of graduate studies is required for use of 4000-level courses (with a maximum of 9 units at the 4000 level). Courses taken without prior approval by the advisor and director of graduate studies may not count toward the degree.
The minimum cumulative GPA for the minor is 3.00.
Coursework Requirements 8-12 credits)
Master's students select a minimum of 8 credits, and doctoral students select a minimum of 12 credits in consultation with the Astrophysics director of graduate studies.
AST 4001 - Astrophysics I
(4.0 cr)
AST 4002 - Astrophysics II
(4.0 cr)
AST 4031 - Interpretation and Analysis of Astrophysical Data
(4.0 cr)
AST 4041 - Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences
(4.0 cr)
AST 5012 - The Interstellar Medium
(4.0 cr)
AST 5022 - Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe
(4.0 cr)
AST 5201 - Methods of Experimental Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
AST 8001 - Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
AST 8011 - High Energy Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
AST 8031 - Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
AST 8110 - Topics in Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
AST 8120 - Topics in Astrophysics
(4.0 cr)
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
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ast 4041/Phys 4041 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ast 5022/Phys 5022 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |