University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
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Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Institute for Astronomy
2680 Woodlawn Drive
IFA C-219
Honolulu HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8138
Fax: (808) 988-4532
Website

Joshua E. Barnes, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: barnes@ifa.hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

MS in astronomy

PhD in astronomy

 
Graduate Faculty
 

List of Faculty

 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
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ASTRONOMY
 

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Application Deadlines
| Admissions Requirements
Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — December 31
D — December 31
No spring admission
 
Individual graduate programs may have priority consideration deadlines. Applicants are advised to contact the graduate programs for such dates. Any available funding support is limited and often awarded well in advance of the application deadlines.

Applicants who apply after the application deadlines MUST consult with the graduate programs before submitting an application. Application fees are non-refundable and may not be used for an application submitted at a later date.

I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Ways to Apply
Apply online or download PDF application forms.

Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and 2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements. Send all program specific documentation requirements directly to the graduate program.

GRE Scores
Refer to program specific requirements (see link above) to determine if the GRE is required by the graduate program. Click here for information on the GRE and when it is required by the Graduate Division. Official GRE scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
TOEFL Scores - 560/83 or above
TOEFL is required of most applicants who are non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions. Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
 
 
Program Overview
 

The graduate program in astronomy at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) was founded in 1972. Officially, it is a part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. In practice, however, the astronomy graduate program operates independently of the physics graduate program and is located within the Institute for Astronomy (IfA), a few blocks north of the UHM campus.

Most of the approximately 45 astronomers at the IfA are members of the astronomy graduate faculty, and contribute to the support and training of graduate students. Those who regularly teach formal courses and who are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the graduate program comprise the professorial faculty. Members of the professorial faculty usually hold joint appointments between the Institute for Astronomy and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The graduate program is directed toward producing research scientists at the PhD level. Students must first obtain the MS before continuing on to the PhD portion of the program. The MS degree is available in both Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis). Plan A is a terminal master's degree that can be completed within four semesters. Plan B is to be earned en route to the PhD. Most students enter the program with the goal of achieving the PhD degree.

Areas of concentration emphasize the use of the university's observatories for the solution of problems in solar physics, planetary astronomy (atmospheres and surfaces), stellar astronomy, extragalactic systems, and cosmology.

Graduates with a terminal MS degree have found employment in space-related industries and teaching positions in high schools and two-year colleges. Such teaching positions may require additional courses in education. Graduates with the PhD have found employment primarily in academia, in government laboratories, and in space-related industry.

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

MS Degree Requirements
Students may select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis).

  • Plan A requires 30 credits (including six to 12 credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
  • Plan B (non-thesis) requires 30 credits, a final exam*, and at least one directed research project.

* The final exam also serves as the qualifying exam for the PhD.

PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:

  • qualifying exam,
  • course work as deemed necessary by the faculty*,
  • comprehensive exam,
  • dissertation,
  • final oral exam / defense of dissertation.

* Additional course work beyond the MS level is not necessarily required for the PhD, but the student's program of courses must be judged by the faculty to provide both adequate general background and specialized preparation for research. Normally, students in the PhD program are expected to be familiar with the content of most 600-level astronomy courses.

Students who enter the graduate program with an MS degree in astronomy or related field, and who therefore bypass the MS portion of the program, need to fulfill certain course work requirements.

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/astr.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
geology and geophysics, mathematics, physics
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2009-11-16
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.