Graduate Studies
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| Department of Astronomy
Graduate Studies |
To be considered for admission it is necessary to submit the "Application for Graduate Admission" form (available from the Graduate School) and three letters of recommendation. All applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, including the Advanced Test in Physics. Foreign applicants must have a TOEFL exam score or must demonstrate equivalent proficiency in the English language.
Further information on graduate programs and financial aid may be obtained from: Graduate Admissions Committee, Astronomy Department, Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, (617) 353-2625.
The Master's thesis must give evidence of the candidate's ability to understand, evaluate critically, and carry forward competently a scientific investigation. This is achieved by an advancement in an experimental technique, an extension in the application of a physical theory, or the accumulation of new data or observational material. A thesis is required to demonstrate the candidate's ability to present the results of his or her work in a logical and coherent manner. The thesis is judged in an oral examination administered by a committee of three faculty members, including the student's advisor. A prospectus of the thesis must be approved by the committee at least six months prior to the oral examination.
The Comprehensive Examination is given in May each year and is normally taken in the student's second year of graduate school. See the entry under the PhD in Astronomy section below for details.
(1) Coursework --- Students entering the program without a Master's degree must pass a total of 16 courses in graduate level astronomy and physics with a grade of B- or higher. Of these, eight must be Astronomy courses numbered 701-749, three must be Astronomy courses numbered 750-799 or Physics courses numbered 500-849, and one must be the combination of two 2-credit Astronomy seminar courses: AS 850,851 or AS 865,866. No more than four of the 16 courses may be numbered 900-919. Students entering with a Master's degree must take a minimum of eight graduate level courses in Astronomy or Physics. Of these eight, at least three must be numbered AS 701-749, three must be numbered AS 750-799, and one must be the combination of two 2-credit Astronomy seminar courses: AS 850,851 or AS 865,866. No more than one of the eight courses may be numbered 900-919.
(2) Written Comprehensive Examination --- A student must pass the written Astronomy Comprehensive Examination and the Oral Qualifying Examination (see below) in order to be admitted to PhD candidacy. The Comprehensive Exam consists of two three-hour written tests administered on two separate days. The exam is designed to test the student's ability to solve quantitative problems in astrophysics and space physics using both his/her knowledge of the material covered in the core courses (courses numbered AS 700-749) as well as application of basic physical principles.
(3) Oral Qualifying Examination --- After passing the Comprehensive Examination, a student must take the Oral Qualifying Examination within the subsequent academic year. During this year the student should undertake a directed research project with a member of the faculty. Ideally, the research should lead to a potential dissertation topic. The purpose of this directed research is to ensure that the student has the preparation and the ability to conduct the original research required for the PhD thesis. It is expected that the directed research will lead to publishable results. The Oral Qualifying Examination is based on the directed research: the student presents the results of the research in a formal seminar and is examined afterward by a panel consisting of the student's research advisor and three other members of the Department of Astronomy faculty. The panel questions the student not only about his or her research, but also about the student's knowledge of related fields of physics and astronomy.
(4) PhD Dissertation --- The PhD dissertation can be on any topic in astronomy, astrophysics, or space physics. The dissertation must represent original scientific research that contributes substantially to the advancement of the field. Within three months of successful completion of the Oral Qualifying Exam, the student selects a tentative dissertation topic and the department assigns first and second readers for the dissertation. The student and his/her advisor select three additional members of the PhD examining committee. At least one of the members of the PhD examining committee must be from outside the Department of Astronomy and preferably from outside Boston University. The membership of the committee must be approved by the department. A prospectus of the dissertation must be approved by the PhD examining committee, reviewed by the Department of Astronomy faculty, and further approved by the department chairman and director of graduate studies at least one calendar year prior to the final oral examination. The prospectus is subject to further review by the Graduate School. The PhD examining committee should meet with the candidate at least twice per calendar year to monitor the candidate's progress toward completing the dissertation.
(5) Final Oral Examination --- Candidates must defend their dissertations as worthy contributions to scientific knowledge and demonstrate mastery of related fields of physics and astronomy. This defense is carried out at a final oral examination, which consists of a public presentation of the dissertation research, followed by an examination of the candidate by the PhD examining committee. An abstract summarizing the research and scientific results of the dissertation must be submitted to the readers at least five weeks prior to the final oral examination. The abstract is limited to a maximum of 350 words and must be written in proper, formal English. Upon approval of a final draft by the readers, the abstract must be approved by the chairman and director of graduate studies of the Department of Astronomy and submitted to the Graduate School at least three weeks prior to the final oral examination. Prior to the examination the abstract is made available for comment to all members of the Department of Astronomy faculty. Abstracts are subject to review by the Graduate School as well as by the Provost. At least four members of the PhD examining committee must vote to pass the candidate. Failure to achieve four votes of "pass" constitutes a failure, in which case the candidate must leave the PhD program without obtaining the PhD degree. Upon successful completion of the final oral examination, the final version of the dissertation and abstract, as revised following comments and suggestions by the PhD examination committee and the Department of Astronomy faculty, must be approved by the readers, as well as by the chairman and director of graduate studies of the Department of Astronomy. The candidate should consult the Graduate School for the precise format and number of copies of the dissertation to be submitted to the Graduate School.