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Master of Science (M.Sc) program specifically in Astrophysics which is the branch of physics and chemistry that deals with objects in space including stars, planets and galaxies. Stellar structure and evolution, galactic formation and dynamics, interstellar medium, high energy astrophysics, are some of the areas of study in this course. The M.Sc Astrophysics program is normally carried out over two years or four semesters.
The basic requirement for students willing to be admitted to an M.Sc in Astrophysics is a Bachelor’s degree in Physics or Astrophysics. Some institutes also keep the door open for those who have completed a B.Sc degree in Mathematics, Statistics or Engineering. Some of the popular national level tests that are considered for admission are: CSIR-NET, GATE and JEST. Some of the colleges include IISc, IUCAA. There are some institutes that have the policy of direct admission through the marks obtained in the graduation or through an interview.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| - Full Form | Master of Science in Astrophysics |
| - Duration | 2 years |
| - Course Level | Postgraduate |
| - Eligibility | Bachelor's degree in Physics, Mathematics, or related fields |
| - Top Colleges | Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune |
| - Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam conducted by respective colleges, JEST, TIFR, IUCAA |
1. Minimum 50% in aggregate with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics or Applied Physics from a recognized university.
2. Mathematics is one of the subjects in B.Sc and it is compulsory for all the students. Fields of study like Astronomy/Astrophysics are ideal.
3. Qualification in TIFR, JEST, CSIR-UGC NET, GATE. Many institutes conduct their own entrance tests.
4. Sound academic background preferably with exposure in areas like celestial mechanics, stellar atmospheres, relativity etc.
5. Good hand in mathematics, statistics, computer programming as well as in the fundamental concepts of physics.
6. Proficiency in English to read and comprehend the international research articles and journals and communication skills.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Astrophysical Processes | Radiative processes, Stellar atmospheres, Stellar interiors, Galactic evolution |
| Stellar Astrophysics | Star formation, Stellar structure, Stellar evolution, Binary and multiple star systems |
| Galactic Astrophysics | Galaxy structure, Galaxy evolution, Galaxy interactions, Active galactic nuclei |
| Cosmology | Big Bang theory, Cosmic microwave background, Large-scale structure, Dark matter and dark energy |
| Planetary Science | Planetary formation, Planetary atmospheres, Planetary surfaces, Planetary rings and moons |
| Astrobiology | Origins of life, Planetary habitability, Biosignatures, Extraterrestrial intelligence |
| Computational Methods in Astrophysics | Numerical methods, Computational simulations, Data analysis and visualization |
| Statistical Mechanics | Thermodynamics, Statistical theory, Random processes, Phase transitions |
| Electromagnetic Theory | Electromagnetic fields, Electromagnetic waves, Radiation and scattering, Relativistic electrodynamics |
