Graduate Studies in Planetary Science

PSG Graduate PosterThe Departments of Astronomy and Earth and Environmental Sciences offer courses of study leading to a Master's Degree. The Chemistry, Physics and Biology Departments offer both the Master's and Ph.D.  Application deadlines can be found on the site of the department to which the student applies. Students are encouraged to directly contact individual faculty that share their interests during the application process.

Further information and Applications can be found here:

Astronomy Dept.
Earth and Environmental Sciences Dept.
Graduate Programs at Wesleyan

Planetary Science Concentration

Program of Study

MA or BA/MA students in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics may elect a course of study resulting in the Planetary Science Concentration.  The Concentration is designed to engage students in the research results, skills and methods of Planetary Science.   The Planetary Science Concentration requires the 1) completion of a minimum of four courses from the list below with a grade of B- of better.  At least one of these courses must be from a department outside the student’s home department.  2) Students are also required to attend The Planetary Science Seminar, AST/E&ES 555, which is offered offered each semester.  3) All students must complete a written thesis on a topic relevant to Planetary Science.  A member of the student's thesis committee will be from the Planetary Science Concentration Committee.  The Planetary Science Concentration will be designated on the student's transcript upon the successful completion of this program of study and MA requirements of the student's home department.  For more information, please contact the any of the members of the Planetary Science Concentration Committee or the Graduate School.  

2015/2016 Planetary Science Concentration Committee: Profs. Herbst, Hughes, Redfield, Astronomy; Profs Gilmore, Greenwood E&ES

1. Planetary Science Courses (take at least 4, one from outside the home department).

AST 524 Exoplanets
AST 531 Stellar Structure and Evolution
AST 532 Galactic Astronomy
AST 520 Radio Astronomy
BIO 214 Evolution
BIO 231 Microbiology
CHEM 337/338 Physical Chemistry 1 & 2
CHEM 361 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 383 Biochemistry
E&ES 512 Astrobiology
E&ES 526 Remote Sensing
E&ES 514 Petrology
E&ES 522 or E&ES 544 Geographic Information Systems
E&ES 565 Modeling the Earth and Environment
E&ES 571 Planetary Evolution
E&ES 580 Volcanology
E&ES 586 Meteorites and Cosmochemistry
MATH & Computer Science courses as appropriate in consultation with advisor
PHYS 213 Waves and Oscillations

2. Seminar (offered each semester; take a minimum of 3 semesters)

AST/E&ES  555 Planetary Science Seminar

3. Thesis

The MA degree program requires a thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research in planetary science.  The specific guidelines for the thesis are those of the student’s home department. 

GLSP Courses

SCI 634 Strange New Worlds: Planets , Exoplanets and Stars that Host Them (Fall 2013)

SCI 642 Rocks in Space: An Introduction to Planetary Geology