Astronomy, MS

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The program offers both the Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis) MS degrees, but almost all students opt for the Plan B program as it dovetails better with the requirements of qualification for PhD candidacy. The only real advantage of the Plan A master’s is that it can be completed within four semesters; it is therefore of interest to those students who want to get a terminal master’s degree in the minimum time.

Requirements

All MS students must take 30 credits of graduate level astronomy courses unless substitution is approved by the graduate chair. Plan A students must complete a thesis in accordance with UH Mānoa regulations, while Plan B students must pass the final examination (which is also the PhD qualifying examination) and satisfactorily complete at least one directed research project as judged by the qualifying exam committee.

The 30 credits of graduate level astronomy courses must include:

ASTR 601 - Being a Professional Astronomer Credits: 1
ASTR 633 - Astrophysical Techniques Credits: 3
ASTR 734 - Astronomy Seminar I Credits: V
4 core 600-level classes (as described in the graduate program webpages)
ASTR 790 - Astro-ph Seminar Credits: 1