Graduate Program
Candidate Research & Requirements
Degree Requirements
Master's: 24 semester hours in astronomy and approved cognate courses; a research course; average of "B" or better in 12 hours of 500- and 600- level astronomy courses.
Doctorate: Requirements for a Master's degree; seven core courses in astronomy; one term equivalent of work experience; doctoral preliminary examination; dissertation; oral defense.
Thesis: Thesis may be written in absentia.
Special Equipment, Facilities, or Programs:
The Department operates the Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT (MDM) Observatory in Arizona, (a 1.3-meter reflector and a 2.4-meter reflector with extensive optical auxiliary equipment), the Curtis-Schmidt Telescope in Chile (a 0.6-meter Schmidt that is used extensively for spectral classification and for the discovery of active galaxies and quasars) and the Peach Mountain Radio Astronomy Observatory (a 26-meter paraboloid used at GHz frequencies). The department has also joined the Magellan Project to build twin 6.5-meter telescopes in Chile. For instruction, there is a new 0.4 meter Richtey-Chretien telescope on campus.
The department operates its own image processing system consisting of a cluster of Sun computers. Graduate students have access to all telescopes and instruments.
The combined total of full-time faculty in the three professional ranks is 14. The combined total of full-time, part-time, and other faculty at all ranks is 25.
Applications
Admission requirements:
For admission to the graduate programs, a Bachelor's degree is required with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 specified. An undergraduate major in physics, mathematics, or astronomy is assumed. The GRE is required. No minimum acceptable score specified. The GRE Physics test is required. No minimum score specified. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English via the TOEFL exam. Candidates for financial assistance must in addition demonstrate English language competence by passing a University of Michigan test.
Tuition Rates
Funding Information
Address financial aid inquiries to:
Chair, Dept. of Astronomy,
500 Church St., 830 Dennison Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109 - 1042
GAPSFAS application not required.
Housing Information
On campus, single and married housing is available, or the university will assist in finding off campus housing. Loans are available as well. For more information, contact:
University Housing,
University of Michigan,
1500 Student Activities Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
General Information
University President: Mary Sue Coleman
Dean of Graduate School: Janet A. Weiss
Department Chairman: Douglas O. Richstone
Department Telephone Number: (734) 764-3440
Type of Institution: University
Control: Public
Setting: Urban
Total Faculty: 3,520
Total Graduate Faculty: 2,412
Total Students: 36,617
total Graduate Students: 9,938
Term: Trimester
Admission, Enrollment and Graduation History:
For fall admission 2005, there were 37 applicants, 11 offers, and 2 accepts for domestic applications.
For fall 2006, there were 51 applicants, 19 offers, and 5 accepts.
Graduation history can be found in the alumni list
