INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the NMSU Department of Astronomy. We strive to provide a vigorous, exciting program of research and education in Astronomy and Astrophysics, covering a broad range of interests, from planetary science and extra-solar planets, to cosmology. With the ARC 3.5-m and NMSU 1-m telescopes at the Apache Point Observatory, as well as the Sloan 2.5 meter telescope at APO and our 24" at Tortugas Mountain, we offer exciting opportunities for observational projects. These telescopes combined with the Sunspot Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory near Socorro, NM, the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, all of the national facilities, as well as the in-house NASA Planetary Data System Atmospheres data archive Node, offer excellent opportunities for research on the MS and Ph.D. levels.

This guide is intended to help you through the procedures required by NMSU to achieve an advanced degree in Astronomy. You should read it carefully and then feel free to ask your faculty advisor any questions that arise. This document is constantly evolving, so any comments that you have to improve it would be appreciated. The policies and procedures outlined in this guide will be effective for the 2020-2021 entering class. More senior students may choose to follow these guidelines or those given to them upon entrance into the program.

Please note that it is impossible for any written guide to anticipate all questions that students may have about the program, and that the program itself is an evolving entity. If there are any doubts or questions about the program or material in this handbook, students should consult with the faculty. We strongly value good communication between students and faculty. Points of contact with the faculty include your advisor, the Department head, and the First Year Advisor. We encourage students to come directly to faculty to quickly and accurately resolve issues and answer questions.