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Department of Space Science

MS Astronomy & Astrophysics

Astronomy is the oldest branch of natural science that deals with heavenly objects. Night sky observations of prehistoric cultures helped them to learn about seasons, phases of moon, eclipses and celestial navigation. Galileo Galilei first pointed telescope towards the heavens and realized that heavenly body are not unchanging spherical objects, rather evolving entities with variety of shapes and sizes. By applying laws of physics, astrophysicists try to understand the origin, structure, and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe.

Fuelled by technological developments, the field of astronomy and astrophysics is currently gaining importance worldwide. A new generation of spaceborne telescopes such as Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray observatory and the Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope together with advanced ground-based telescopes and enormous increases in computing power are enabling a golden age of astrophysics.

Important discoveries have been made within our own solar system through explorations of robotic spacecraft and landers. Precise observations of centres of galaxies including our own Milky Way Galaxy revealed that most galaxies, if not all, harbour central supermassive black hole responsible for extremely energetic and exotic phenomena associated with quasars and radio galaxies. We also discovered that universe is expanding with ever increasing rate suggesting that we are living in an epoch of dark energy dominated universe. With CMB data from WMAP and PLANCK, we understand a great deal about large scale structure formation. The MS program in Astronomy and Astrophysics focuses on underlying physics of phenomena beyond the Earth, theory, data analysis and modeling techniques, which will undoubtedly play a prominent role in international basic research. The key areas of focus include Gravitational Physics, Galaxy Evolution, Dynamics and Evolution of Supermassive Black Holes in Galaxy Centres, Modeling of Galaxy Mergers, Gravitational Waves Data Analysis, Solar Plasma Physics The main objectives of the program are initiation in scientific research and training in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

  • Gravitational Waves
  • Supermassive Black Holes
  • Galaxy Mergers
  • Binary Stars
  • Gamma Ray Astronomy
  • Astrophysical Plasmas

PEO-1: To develop and strengthen the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics locally leading to advancement of the subject knowledge in Pakistan.
PEO-2: To meet the needs of national and international academia and research organizations.
PEO-3: To contribute to research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.

PLO-1:
Students will attain thorough scientific knowledge in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

PLO-2:
Students will be able to use their analytical, numerical and observational skills in academia and research organizations.

PLO-3:
Students will be able to identify, formulate and investigate research problems in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Semester Code Subject Credit Hours
1 817222 Astronomy and Astrophysics 3-0
717223 Mathematical Physics 3-0
817227 Theoretical Astrophysics 3-0
2 817234 Advanced Electrodynamics 3-0
  Elective-I 3-0
  Elective-II 3-0
3   Elective-III 3-0
  Elective-IV 3-0
  Thesis-I 3-0
4   Thesis-II 3-0
Credit Hours: 30 (24 + 6)

Elective Courses

A student should choose an elective course from the list after the approval of program head, research supervisor and HoD.

  • Gravitational Waves Data Analysis
  • Computational and Observational Astrophysics
  • Plasma Physics I
  • Plasma Physics II
  • General Relativity
  • High Energy Astrophysics
  • Experimental Techniques in Plasmas
  • Introduction to Cosmology
  • Binary Stars
  • Spacecraft Environmental Interactions
  • Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • Astrostatistics
  • Galaxies
  • Stellar Dynamics
  • Astronomical Methods – Observations and Data Analysis

Note: Elective courses will be offered subject to the availability of relevant faculty.

  • BS/ BE/ equivalent (16 Years of education) with a strong background in Space Science / Physics / Mathematics with minimum CGPA ≥ 2.00 out of 4.00 or ≥ 60% marks (where CGPA not available) from HEC and PEC (where applicable) recognized Institute/University or from Foreign Institute/University of good repute.
  • GAT-A or GAT-C (General) conducted by NTS in the relevant field of study with ≥ 50% marks or HAT (General) conducted by HEC in the relevant field of study with ≥ 50% marks or GRE International (General) conducted by ETS, USA, with minimum score as Quantitative: 145, Verbal: 145, Analytical: 3.5
One Time Charges Local Fee Structure
(Pak Rs)
Intl Fee Structure
(US $)
Admission Fee 20,000 2,000
Endowment Fund 5,000 250
Library Development Fund 5,000 250
Total One Time Charges 30,000 2,500
Per Semester Charges (Pak Rs) (US $)
Tuition Fee 66,550 4,675
Service Charges 4,000 250
Safe/ Smart Campus Charges 2,000 250
Total Per Semester Charges 72,550 5,175

Optional Charges per Semester

Hostel Charges Local Fee Structure Intl Fee Structure
Dormitory Charges Pak. Rs. 50,000 US $ 600
Locker Rent Pak. Rs. 800 Pak. Rs. 800

Continual Enrollment Fee per semester

Local Fee Structure Intl Fee Structure
after 8th semester of BS Programs =All Service Charges + 3 Cr. Hr. Fee + Fee of any Registered Course (Rs. 9,000 + Rs. 22,500 = Rs. 31,500 + Fee of any Registered Course) after 8th semester of BS Programs =All Service Charges + 3 Cr. Hr. Fee + Fee of any Registered Course (US $ 500 + US $ 1,320 = US $ 1,820 + Fee of any Registered Course)
after 4th/6th semester of MS/PhD Programs=All Service Charges + 1 Cr. Hr. Fee + Fee of any Registered Course (Rs. 6,000 + Rs. 7,500 = Rs. 13,500 + Fee of any Registered Course) after 4th/6th semester of MS/PhD Programs =All Service Charges + 1 Cr. Hr. Fee + Fee of any Registered Course (US $ 500 + US $ 440 = US $ 940 + Fee of any Registered Course)

Notes;

Local Fee Structure Intl Fee Structure
(a) Repeat/Add Course Fee will be Rs 7,500 per credit hour. Repeat/Add Course Fee @ US $ 440 per credit hour will be charged.
(b) All Fees/ Charges are subject to change from time to time. All Fees/ Charges are subject to change from time to time.
(c) Charges are applicable only if services are offered by IST. Charges are applicable only if services are offered by IST.
(d) All Govt. Taxes will be charged as notified by FBR. All Govt. Taxes will be charged as notified by FBR.
(e) Health Insurance for student may be arranged by the Institute and charges / Premium will be charged as per actual. Health Insurance for student may be arranged by the Institute and charges / Premium will be charged as per actual.
(f) Student ID Card Fee is Rs 500 Student ID Card Fee is Rs 500
(g) Application processing Fee (non-refundable) is Rs. 2500 Application processing Fee (non-refundable) is US $ 100 through direct remittance in IST Bank Account.
(h) Freeze charges will be Rs. 5,000 per semester. Freeze charges will be US $. 500 for each semester. Direct remittance in IST Bank Account.