Program in Astronomy School of Science Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

A Top Astronomy and Physics Department at Rensselaer

The Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, has earned a ranking among the top 10 applied physics graduate programs in the country, according to the Gourman Report, as well as other prestigious awards, such as the Boeing Outstanding Educator Award and the Pew Leadership Award. Faculty members have received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Awards, the Humboldt Research Award Senior U.S. Scientists, and other research and teaching awards.

The Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy offers a master's program in astronomy.

Ground-breaking Research in Astrobiology and Astrophysics

Faculty members, post-graduates, and graduate students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute conduct both theoretical and applied research in several areas of astrobiology and interstellar chemistry, galactic and intergalactic astronomy, and astrophysics.

Applied research aims at the spectroscopic detection of organic molecules within interstellar gas, dust, and protoplanetary disks. Theoretical research focuses on simulations of protostellar collapse, multifluid magnetohydrodynamic shock waves, and shock chemistry. In particular, researchers have looked into the synthesis of biogenic compounds by shocks and the chemical and physical properties of the dust grains that carry these biogenic elements.

As part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS II), a large, international collaboration, researchers at RPI examine how galaxies in general and the Milky Way in particular form through the gravitation effects of dark matter, the energy feedback from the death and formation of stars, and the hydrodynamics of gas clouds.

Requirements for the M.S. in Astronomy at Rensselaer

Graduate students receive a Master of Science (MS) in Astronomy after completing 30 credits, 21 of which are in course work. Courses include Mathematical Methods in Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Observational Astronomy, and Astrophysics Seminar. In addition, students complete a multiple-semester project or a thesis.

The New York Center for Astrobiology

Researchers benefit from the department's affiliation with the New York Center for Astrobiology, which is a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The goal of the center is to explore the cosmic history of the processes and materials that lead to the formation of life.

Professor Doug Whittet is lead investigator for a project that investigates the interstellar origins of preplanetary matter in which telescopes on Earth and in space detect the subtle infrared spectral differences between molecules in cold interstellar clouds and those in warm protoplanetary disks.

Two other RPI researchers are lead investigators for a project exploring the processing of precometary ices in the early solar system. Researchers use supercomputer simulations and mathematical models to analyze the modification of prebiotic molecules during the formation of the solar systems. Predictions arising from the model can then be tested by observing young stars at NASA facilities, such as Spitzer and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Award-winning Faculty

Professor Heidi Newberg shared the Gruber Cosmology Prize for her work on the Supernova Cosmology Project. She helped develop the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which obtained over a million spectra of galaxies.

Professor Doug Whittet serves as the Director of the New York Center for Astrobiology, for which he has secured generous grants from NASA to support new research.

Professor Wayne Roberge has not only received numerous awards for teaching, but his work has attracted funding from the NSF, NASA, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, and others.

Excellent Facilities

The Science Center on the Rennselaer campus is home to the Hirsch Observatory where a Boller and Chivens 16 inch Cassegrain Telescope is equipped with SBIG imaging camera, SBIG spectrograph, CFW-8 filter wheel, and automated computer control.

Researchers in the department, however, also make use of world-class observatories located in Chile, China, Australia, South Africa, and Hawaii. They have access to data collected by the Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes as well as large-ground based projects such as the Two Micron All Sky Survey and the SDSS. RPI's extensive computation resources are also at the disposal of researchers of compute-intensive data analysis.



Admission and Financial Assistance

Applicants interested in the astronomy program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute must submit GRE general and subject test scores. Doctoral students must pass qualifying exams as well.

Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships are available to graduate students in the astronomy program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Students must maintain GPAs of 3.3 in order to keep this financial aid.

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - A Top University in the Nation

Founded in 1824 in Troy, New York, RPI was the first technology university in the country. Today, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is considered to be one of the best universities, ranking among the top 50 universities in the nation according to ''U.S. News and World Report.''

Rensselaer alumni have been integral to national and technological development, from the first alumni who helped build the nation by constructing canals, roads, bridges, and skyscrapers, to more recent alumni who have developed innovative research and solutions for such prestigious clients as GE Energy, Boeing, and IBM.

Contact Info
James G. Nondorf
Vice President for Enrollment
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Phone: 518-276-6216
Fax: 518-276-4072

Programs Offered:
Offers Astronomy (MS).

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$39,600
• Out-of-state tuition *$39,600
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$1,896.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableNot Reported