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 Ph.D.Astrophysics, 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
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
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
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
An undergraduate astronomy, physics or equivalent degree is required.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Coursework in analytical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical physics.
Special Application Requirements:
A statement of career goals, diversity statement, scores from the GRE General Test (required) and Subject Test in physics (optional), and three letters of recommendation. Applications are due by December 15 to be considered for fellowships and by January 15 for teaching and research assistantships. Students are admitted fall semester only.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
28
credits are required in the major.
12 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
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.
Electives (20 credits)
Select 20 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor:
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)
AST 8200 - Astrophysics Seminar
(1.0-3.0 cr)
AST 8990 - Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (12 credits)
Select 12 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor. Other courses may be chosen with advisor and director of graduate studies approval.
AEM 5501 - Continuum Mechanics
(3.0 cr)
GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education
(3.0 cr)
GRAD 8200 - Teaching and Learning Topics in Higher Education
(1.0 cr)
MATH 5651 - Basic Theory of Probability and Statistics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5001 - Quantum Mechanics I
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5002 - Quantum Mechanics II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 8011 - Quantum Field Theory I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8012 - Quantum Field Theory II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8501 - General Relativity and Cosmology I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8502 - General Relativity and Cosmology II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8601 - Plasma Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8602 - Plasma Physics II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8611 - Cosmic Rays and Plasma Astrophysics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8801 - Nuclear Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8802 - Nuclear Physics II
(3.0 cr)
Thesis Credits (24 credits)
Take 24 doctoral thesis credits after passing preliminary oral exam.
AST 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral
(1.0-24.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
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 |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 5651/Stat 5101 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -24.0 [max 100.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |