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Graduate Program- Curriculum |
Clemson's Graduate Astrophysics Curriculum
Most students enroll at Clemson as Ph.D. seeking candidates, and they begin their graduate studies by seeking an en-route M.S. degree. We do not normally admit students who wish to pursue a
terminal masters. Students already having an M.S. degree in Physics
will begin in the Ph.D. program, but must still fulfill the
requirements for Ph.D. candidacy (below). Course and thesis
requirements for students entering with an M.S. degree in Astronomy
will be determined by consultation with the astrophysics faculty.
Students with considerable research experience and/or outstanding
coursework background (sufficient to prepare one to take the Ph.D.
qualifying examination within a year) may petition the Department
Faculty to bypass the M.S. degree, which is otherwise a requirement
for Ph.D. candidacy.
Requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs can be found
at http://physicsnt.clemson.edu
The typical curriculum of our astrophysics students is summarized in the table below. Most students
defer electromagnetism and quantum mechanics to the second year of study in order to maximize
readiness for the qualifying examination, which would be taken early in the spring semester of the third
year for most students. Students on assistantships need to be aware that both minimum and maximum
enrollment limits exist. Because the Clemson assistantship is unusual in its 12-month tenure, students
should be especially cognizant of summer enrollment requirements. Briefly, graduate students should
enroll in no less than 9 credit hours and no more than 12 credit hours per semester during the academic
year. Graduate students should in enroll in no less than 3 credit hours and no more than 4 credit hours
during the two summer semesters!
| First Year |
Second Year |
Subsequent Years |
| Fall Semester |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
PHYS 821 Classical Mech I
ASTR 875 Local Group
1 or 2 of:
PHYS 811 Meth. of Theo. Phys.
ASTR 875 Astro elective
600 level Physics Review
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PHYS 951 Quant Mech I
PHYS 841 Electrodynamics I
ASTR 875 Local Group
PHYS 891 MS Thesis Res
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PHYS 991 Dissertation Res
ASTR 875 Local Group
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| Spring Semester |
Spring Semester |
Spring Semester |
PHYS 822 Classical Mech II
ASTR 875 Local Group
1 or 2 of:
PHYS 665 Therm/Stat Mech
PHYS 815 Stat Therm I
ASTR 875 Astro elective
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PHYS 952 Quant Mech II
PHYS 841 Electrodynamics II
ASTR 875 Local Group
PHYS 891 MS Thesis Research
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PHYS 991 Dissertation Res
ASTR 875 Local Group
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| Summer Semesters |
Summer Semesters |
Summer Semesters |
PHYS 891MS Thesis Research
or
ASTR 875 Astro elective
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PHYS 891MS Thesis Research
or
ASTR 875 Astro elective |
PHYS 891MS Thesis Research
or
ASTR 875 Astro elective |
Graduate Program Links:
Information- An overview of information for prospective students
Current Grad Students- A listing of current A & A graduate students
Grad Student Publications- Publications of past and current A & A graduate students
A & A Alumni- Former A & A graduate students and current positions
Application Information- Application Tips and A How To Guide
Clemson Graduate School- The Clemson University's Graduate School homepage
College of Engineering and Science- the college of the Depart. of Physics & Astronomy
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