Since 1961, 15 alumni from CU-Boulder have traveled millions of miles through the heavens in spacecraft ranging from capsules and space shuttles to the International Space Station. All told, CU graduates have flown on 33 space missions. The campus also ranks second in the nation in NASA grants to universities during the past two fiscal years, garnering more than $100 million.
Did You Know?
Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Graduate students make extensive use of such research facilities as the Apache Point 3.5m telescope, NASA space missions, the Sommers-Bausch Observatory, and the Southwest Research Institute. They collaborate closely with such CU-Boulder research institutes as the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA), Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), and JILA in Boulder. Related areas of study are physics, geology, program in atmospheric and oceanic sciences (PAOS).
Degrees Offered
MS
Requires 30 semester hours of graduate work with a B average or
above, plus thesis with oral defense (Plan 1); or 30 semester hours of
graduate course work with a B average or above, plus a comprehensive examination
(Plan 2). Under both plans, 24 of the 30 semester hours must be completed
at the 5000 level or above. There is no foreign language requirement.
PhD
Requires 39 semester hours of graduate work, including 4 hours of graduate
seminar, an additional 30 hours of dissertation credit (all with grades
B or above), plus a demonstrated ability to do original research.
We require a comprehensive examination of math, physics, astrophysics or planetary science, and a scientific research project.
A grasp of the student’s particular area of research is required,
as is the dissertation and successful defense.
Admission
Graduate School Minimum Admissions Standards
Individual graduate departments may have additional or more restrictive
standards by which they evaluate graduate applicants. However, the Graduate
School at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission.
Applicants must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,
or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
- Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as
judged by the student’s scholastic record.
- Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
- Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average.
Note: applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still
secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of
relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.
Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00.
- Submit two copies of official transcripts.
- Submit four letters of recommendation;
- Submit General GRE and Physics Subject GRE.
Minimum Standards for Applicants
There is no pre-application, but we strongly urge all applicants to have
a strong physics and mathematics background, as well as a strong GPA, and
strong GRE scores.GRE minimum scores of verbal 75 percent, quantitative
85 percent, analytical 75 percent. Advanced GRE minimum score approximately
40 percent.
Financial Support Available
Financial support is available to all incoming students through teaching
or research assistantships. Fellowships are also available upon acceptance.
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Contact Information
University of Colorado at Boulder
Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Duane Physics E-226
391 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0391
Phone: 303-492-8914
Fax: 303-492-3822
E-mail: apsgradsec@colorado.edu
Website: aps.colorado.edu
