Pursuing a Masters Degree in Astronomy

[Absar]

Hi,

I hope this finds you all in good health.

I am telecommunications engineer but now want to pursue my age old interest in astronomy. So I am planning to go for a Masters degree in September 2011 session from US.

In this regard I seek answers to these questions:

1. What are the best universities in the discipline of astrophysics in US.

2. Being a telecommunications engineering graduate, are there any pre-requisite courses I need to take to be admitted for MS in Astronomy? If yes, what are they?

2. Like many, I also fantasize a career with NASA or CERN, I want to know after the degree completion where will I be able to get a vocation?

3. For English language proficiency, is IELTS accepted?


A quick answer will be appreciated.

Profound regards,

Absar Taqvi.

 

[eri]

First of all, a masters in astronomy won't get you anything. You need a PhD to do research; there are very few jobs in astronomy if you don't have a PhD in astronomy or physics (and not many even if you do).

Second, very few schools will admit someone to only do a masters degree, and certainly not the good schools. They only want PhD students, both because of what I mentioned above and also because their rankings are based on how many PhDs they graduate (not masters students).

Third, you need a physics background to study astronomy at the graduate level. They will expect you to take advanced physics courses as part of that program, and they don't start over at the beginning. You need, at the very least, calculus-based intro physics I and II, classical mechanics, modern physics, thermodynamics & statistical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Also calculus I and II, math for physicists (typically two semesters), linear algebra, and differential equations. And hopefully some computer science/programming. You'll also need to do well on the physics GRE to have a shot at grad school in astronomy, and they assume you've studied more physics than that. You will not be accepted to a program with no physics background.

Fourth, even if you had a physics background, we'd need to know your GPA, GRE and PGRE scores, and research background (internships, publications) to help you figure out what schools you might be suited for. Coming from a non-English speaking country, you'll need to do well on the TOEFL as well.

 

[Ryker]

3. For English language proficiency, is IELTS accepted?

You have to check with the particular school, but it usually is, as it's gaining more and more "popularity" even in the US, so you're not limited to TOEFL anymore.

 

[nicksauce]

1) Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Chicago, Berkeley, Caltech, etc.

2a) Maybe/Probably? Contact schools you are interested in and find out.

2b) You'll probably want to get a PhD to get any sort of really good job. And you won't be able to work at CERN since what they do has nothing to do with astrophysics.

3) Maybe? Contact schools you are interested in and find out.

 

[Phyisab****]

First of all, a masters in astronomy won't get you anything. You need a PhD to do research; there are very few jobs in astronomy if you don't have a PhD in astronomy or physics (and not many even if you do).

Second, very few schools will admit someone to only do a masters degree, and certainly not the good schools. They only want PhD students, both because of what I mentioned above and also because their rankings are based on how many PhDs they graduate (not masters students).

Third, you need a physics background to study astronomy at the graduate level. They will expect you to take advanced physics courses as part of that program, and they don't start over at the beginning. You need, at the very least, calculus-based intro physics I and II, classical mechanics, modern physics, thermodynamics & statistical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Also calculus I and II, math for physicists (typically two semesters), linear algebra, and differential equations. And hopefully some computer science/programming. You'll also need to do well on the physics GRE to have a shot at grad school in astronomy, and they assume you've studied more physics than that. You will not be accepted to a program with no physics background.

Fourth, even if you had a physics background, we'd need to know your GPA, GRE and PGRE scores, and research background (internships, publications) to help you figure out what schools you might be suited for. Coming from a non-English speaking country, you'll need to do well on the TOEFL as well.

All of this.

 

[turbo]

If I can jump in here, The University of Arizona has a well-respected program, and they are associated with a world-class observatory. They are also leaders in mirror-fabrication and figuring, and in the construction and implementation of sensors for large telescopes. A young friend of mine from Mongolia got work building sensors in his freshman year. Simple electronics, but a feather in his cap, anyway.

BTW, U of A faculty and students have had some pretty significant collaborations with NASA. It's a whole lot easier to work in a relevant field and get contracted to NASA projects than to actually get hired and employed by NASA.

Good luck.