Back

Master of Science, Astronomy Mention

The objective of this program, created in 1976, is to equip the student with formal knowledge and research experience in Astronomy, either to continue their doctoral studies or to work in a broader professional field.

Description

Astronomy is a discipline of Earth and Space Sciences that uses physical measurements and physical-chemical and mathematical models to explore, analyze and understand the structure and dynamics of the Cosmos, including from the Solar System and the Milky Way, to the Universe on a large scale.

The complexity of these systems, together with the inherent difficulties of observing and measuring large-scale natural processes (spatial and temporal), pose formidable challenges that astronomers try to solve by integrating theory with numerical modeling and collecting data acquired with sophisticated systems. detection and measurement.

Program information

  • Decree number: 0014852/2011
  • Coordinator: Prof. César Fuentes
  • Application dates: August 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024
  • Yearly tuition cost: 125 UF 
  • Annual registration fee: $ 180,300

Accreditation

Our Master's program is ACCREDITED for six years, from January 2020 to January 2026, by the National Accreditation Commission (CNA-Chile).

Scholarships

The State of Chile offers various scholarships to Chilean and foreign students through the National Agency of Research and Development (ANID)

Objectives

The objective of this program, created in 1976, is to equip the student with formal knowledge and research experience in Astronomy, either to continue their doctoral studies or to work in a broader professional field.

During their studies, our students have access to data obtained with world-class telescopes located in the northern observatories of our country. Research projects usually require students to make the observations that lead to obtaining such data.

Study Plan

The average duration of the Program is four semesters of exclusive dedication. Students who enter our Master’s must pass four formal courses during the first year, two of which must be chosen from the following:

  1. Radiative processes
  2. Galaxies
  3. Galactic Astronomy
  4. Observational Astronomy

In parallel, they must dedicate a minimum of 25 percent of their time to research during the first year.

To graduate, the student must complete his thesis, which consists of a project on a current topic of research in Astrophysics.

Admission

During the month of September, the notice of applications to the Postgraduate Program will appear on the department’s website. The applications will be during the month of October and the results will be communicated to each applicant via email, during the month of November.

Classes will begin in March of the following year.

The requirements to apply are:

  • Bachelor of Science degree, mention in Astronomy or similar
  • Intention letter
  • CV
  • Notes
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Study program if you come from another University

All the academics of the departmental faculty will be able to evaluate the applications of the candidates (except in case of conflict of interest), but it will be the Teaching Committee that will select the best candidates according to their curricular merits.

For those students who come from our undergraduate degree, it is expected that they will present with a grade point average higher than 5.0 in the fields of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. For students from other institutions, similar requirements will be adopted according to the program of the institution from which they come. An interview, by phone or in person, may be required of the applicant.

Admission form