{"id":8989,"date":"2020-09-04T14:03:30","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T18:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/?page_id=8989"},"modified":"2026-07-02T11:54:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:54:46","slug":"ma-astronomy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/ma-astronomy\/","title":{"rendered":"MA, Astronomy"},"content":{"rendered":"<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h3>Please Note<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\"><strong>The Astronomy Department does not accept students to, or offer, a terminal master&#8217;s program. Students admitted to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/phd-astronomy\/\">PhD program<\/a><\/strong> may opt for a master\u2019s degree en route to the PhD if they satisfy the appropriate requirements. Students may not initially apply for a master\u2019s degree alone.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Degree Learning Outcomes<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate graduate-level knowledge of astronomy and physics, including the following topics: fundamental physics and astrophysics; gravitation, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics appropriate to astronomy; and the dynamical behavior of space and astrophysical plasmas.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate graduate-level knowledge of observational techniques used to study astronomical and space phenomena.<\/li>\n<li>Perform directed research within that discipline.<\/li>\n<li>Present directed research to a committee of faculty members and to a scientific audience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Degree Requirements<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Master&#8217;s Degree Requirements<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\nThe <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/programs\/astronomy\/ma\/\">Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences Bulletin<\/a><\/strong> outlines the requirements for the MA in Astronomy, including in brief:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>32 units of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/ma-astronomy#coursework\">graduate coursework<\/a> (at least 20 units must be at the 700-level)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/ma-astronomy#exam\">Thesis\/comprehensive exam<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Coursework & Program Overview<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<a id=\"coursework\"><\/a><\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Graduate Coursework<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\nStudents complete a total of 32 units (credits) of coursework in astronomy with a grade of B\u2013 or higher. At least 20 units of these must be from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/academics\/course-inventory\/#graduate\">astronomy courses<\/a> numbered 700\u2013799.\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Language Requirement<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><a id=\"exam\"><\/a><\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Thesis \/ Comprehensive Examination<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\nThe candidate must pass an <strong>Oral Examination<\/strong> by one of three means:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><small>writing a <strong>master&#8217;s thesis<\/strong> with an <strong>oral thesis defense<\/strong><\/small><\/li>\n<li><small>a <strong>&#8220;masters pass&#8221;<\/strong> or <strong>&#8220;PhD Pass&#8221;<\/strong> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/phd-astronomy\/#qualifying-exam\">PhD Oral Qualifying Examination<\/a><\/small><\/li>\n<li><small>a <strong>Masters Oral Comprehensive Examination<\/strong><\/small><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/small><\/p>\n<p><small><strong>1)<\/strong> For a student who writes a master\u2019s thesis, describing a research project carried out by the student and directed by a faculty member, the oral exam takes place as part of the thesis defense. A master\u2019s thesis must give evidence of the candidate\u2019s ability to understand, critically evaluate, and competently carry forward a scientific investigation. This is achieved by advancing an experimental technique, by extending the application of a physical theory, or by collecting new scientifically relevant data or analyzing previously existing data. The thesis must demonstrate the candidate\u2019s ability to present the results of their 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\u2019s advisor.<\/small><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><small>The committee must approve a prospectus of the thesis at least three months before the oral examination.<\/small><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><small><strong>2)<\/strong> For students taking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/graduate\/phd-astronomy#qualifying-exam\">PhD Oral Qualifying Examination<\/a>, achieving either a \u201cmasters pass\u201d or a \u201cPhD pass\u201d will meet the master\u2019s comprehensive examination requirement.<\/small><\/p>\n<p><small><strong>3)<\/strong> Alternatively, a student wishing to leave with an MA may have a Masters Oral Comprehensive Examination committee, consisting of three Astronomy faculty members, to query the student regarding their understanding of graduate-level physics, astrophysics, and space physics to ascertain mastery of these topics.<\/small>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Graduate Advising & Registration<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<a id=\"advising\"><\/a><\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Advising<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">An Astronomy graduate student traditionally has two advisors: the Director of Graduate Studies and a research advisor. The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) serves as the academic advisor for all students in the program; a student\u2019s research supervisor serves as their advisor for research activities and dissertation work.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><a id=\"registration\"><\/a><\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Registration<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\nStudents are expected to register for a minimum of one course (at least 2 units) or Continuing Student Status each fall and spring term until all degree requirements have been completed. Students must be registered for every term or summer term during which a degree requirement is completed or University facilities are used unless on an official leave of absence. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Please Note The Astronomy Department does not accept students to, or offer, a terminal master&#8217;s program. Students admitted to the PhD program may opt for a master\u2019s degree en route to the PhD if they satisfy the appropriate requirements. Students may not initially apply for a master\u2019s degree alone. &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7810,"featured_media":0,"parent":8817,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/landing.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8989"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7810"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8989"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12462,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8989\/revisions\/12462"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}