single degree

Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Advanced)

A single two year graduate award offered by the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

MASASADV
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.

Program Requirements

The Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

48 units from completion of the following coursework component:

A minimum of 24 units from completion of 8000-level courses in the subject area ASTR Astronomy and Astrophysics

A maximum of 24 units from completion of 6000-level courses in the subject area ASTR Astronomy and Astrophysics

A maximum of 18 units from completion of 6000-level or 8000-level courses from the following subject areas:

EMSC Earth and Marine Science

PHYS Physics

MATH Mathematics

COMP Computer Science

48 units from completion of the following research component:

48 units from completion of ASTR8010 Astronomy Research Project, which must be taken four times, in consecutive semesters.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 24 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to continue in the Master program.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 24 in the in the same teaching period in which the 24th unit is attempted, exactly 24 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from course in descending order of marks.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark or do not have approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Graduate Diploma of Science.

Study Options

Year 1 ASTR8010 Astrophysics Research Project 6 to 24 units 8000 level ASTR course 6 units 6000 or 8000 level EMSC/ PHYS/ MATH/ COMP/ ASTR 6 units
ASTR8010 Astrophysics Research Project 6 to 24 units 8000 level ASTR course 6 units 6000 or 8000 level EMSC/ PHYS/ MATH/ COMP/ ASTR 6 units
Year 2 ASTR8010 Astrophysics Research Project 6 to 24 units 8000 level ASTR course 6 units 6000 or 8000 level EMSC/ PHYS/ MATH/ COMP/ ASTR 6 units
ASTR8010 Astrophysics Research Project 6 to 24 units 8000 level ASTR course 6 units 6000 or 8000 level EMSC/ PHYS/ MATH/ COMP/ ASTR 6 units

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7 and the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 24 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project.

 

Cognate disciplines

Computer Science, Earth & Marine Sciences, Physics, Mathematics

Annual indicative fee for domestic students
$29,280.00

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$39,024.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

The Master of Astronomy & Astrophysics (Advanced) is a full-time two year program based upon 50% coursework and 50% research project. The coursework component may be tailored to a student’s needs, and can include astrophysical techniques, astrophysical computing, planetary science, stellar astrophysics, galaxies, and cosmology. Many courses contain research or hands-on components that develop skills and knowledge in the latest advances in astronomy and astrophysics. The research project provides the opportunity to enhance and develop detailed knowledge and skills in a specific area of astronomy or astrophysics. The research component may include the acquisition and analysis of telescope data, the development of theoretical models, or the development and testing of new astronomical instrumentation.

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

  1. demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge in their area of study;
  2. apply their knowledge in astronomy & astrophysics to new problems;
  3. interpret, synthesize and critically analyse new published literature of relevance to astronomy & astrophysics;
  4. demonstrate basic and complex analysis skills that are commonly used in astronomy & astrophysics research;
  5. perform telescope observations or create theoretical simulations, interpret and analyse results, write reports and collate data into a thesis;
  6. present own research work to peers and research scientists;
  7. clearly communicate theory and results in both written and oral formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Cognate disciplines

Physics, Mathematics, Earth & Marine Sciences, Computer Science

Further Information

New students in this program are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Visit the following website for further information:http://www.anu.edu.au/students/scholarships/graduate-commonwealth-supported-places .

An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here 

Academic Advice

The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with the program convener (details below).

Your academic advice session is a great opportunity to discuss with the convener the direction in which you want your studies to go. The convener will be able to advise you about course selection and content of courses that you will undertake as part of your program. Ideally you should bring along a copy of your academic record/academic transcripts as these will greatly assist your convener when giving you course advice.

To book an appointment you can:

Email: helmut.jerjen@anu.edu.au 

Phone: 02 6125 8038

Please also bring along your Planning Your Program document that is available from the enrolment website and your Postgraduate coursework checklist for new studentsThese documents will help you plan your degree and assist you with finalising your enrolment. 

Further enrolment information can also be found here.

An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here.

Please follow each step and read through the additional information in the pdf guides, especially the ISIS enrolment guide in Step 2 and the How to enrol guide for new students in Step 3.

 

If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us on 02 6125 2809 or email science.enquiries@anu.edu.au 

Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

Contact Professor Helmut Jerjen at helmut.jerjen@anu.edu.au

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