Masters in Astrophysics
Master’s Degree Accredited for 8 years, until November 2032, National Accreditation Commission, CNA Chile.
The Institute of Physics and Astronomy opened its Master’s Program in Astrophysics in the year 2011 and already has 45 graduates.
- Timetable: diurnal.
- Duration: 4 semesters/84 crédits SCT.
- Vacancies: 4
The Master’s Program in Astrophysics at the University of Valparaíso is characterized by its contribution to the training of new scientists capable of producing and transferring knowledge in the field of astrophysics, equipping students with formal knowledge and research experience in astrophysics.
The program is academic in nature and is articulated with both the Bachelor’s Degree in Physics with a specialization in Astronomy and the Doctoral Program in Astrophysics through their curricula.
Program Objectives
The overall objective is to train graduates with a solid foundation in astrophysics, capable of integrating into research teams and contributing to the development of knowledge in the area, effectively communicating their findings, demonstrating responsibility, critical thinking and professional ethics in their scientific work.
Specific Objectives
- To develop in students the necessary skills to actively participate in scientific research in astrophysics, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- To provide a learning environment that combines a solid theoretical foundation with practical research experience, facilitating the development of analytical and methodological skills.
- To promote the integration of graduates into scientific research by preparing them for doctoral programs.
- To foster autonomy in the pursuit of new knowledge and the capacity for continuous learning.
Student Profile
The Master’s Program in Astrophysics is aimed at individuals with a solid prior background in scientific disciplines such as Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or related fields, who demonstrate interest and motivation to pursue an academic career in astrophysics research.
The ideal applicant possesses fundamental knowledge in physics and mathematics at the undergraduate level, as well as analytical and logical reasoning skills that enable them to address complex problems within the context of modern astrophysics. Prior experience using computational tools and/or data analysis is expected, along with a willingness to acquire new skills in programming, modeling, and observational techniques.
A proactive attitude toward learning, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and a commitment to rigorous and ethical work in academia are also valued. Applicants must demonstrate, through their letter of motivation and letters of recommendation, a clear vocation for scientific research and a strong motivation to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in astrophysics.
Proficiency in English, at least at the level of reading and understanding scientific literature, is highly desirable for good performance in the program.
Generic Competencies
CG1: Integrates into work teams, fostering collaboration among members to achieve common objectives in different areas of disciplinary intervention.
CG2: Effectively communicates the results of research or advanced knowledge in their disciplinary field.
CG3: Act responsibly, considering the ethical implications of your actions when making decisions in the course of your work in the field of scientific research.
CG4: Critically apply analytical thinking to continuously improve your professional and research skills.
Specific Competencies
CE1: Acquires the necessary knowledge of physics and astrophysics to address complex problems in the astronomical and scientific fields.
CE2: Independently explores new fields of study by reviewing scientific publications and other learning resources, effectively organizing resources to achieve academic and research goals.
CE3: Conducts research activities in the area of Astrophysics, under supervision, analyzing results, evaluating uncertainties, and collaborating on scientific articles.
CE4: Employs statistical analysis and data modeling techniques to solve problems in the astronomical and scientific fields.
CE5: Contributes to the generation and dissemination of new knowledge in astrophysics through collaboration on original research.
Graduate Profile
Graduates of the Master’s Program in Astrophysics will possess a solid foundation in physics and astronomy, enabling them to contribute collaboratively to relevant research within the field of astrophysics. Furthermore, they will be able to effectively communicate research results and knowledge in astrophysics, while demonstrating responsibility, critical thinking, and professional ethics in their scientific work and in the various roles they play within research teams.
Employment opportunities
The Program provides the skills necessary for the student to successfully join the national and international professional astrophysical community, or many other scientifically-inclined organizations. Thus possible future employers include universities, higher studies institutions, astronomical observatories, research centers, scientific instrumentation developers, software developers, many state or private companies, consultants or scientific/astronomical tourism enterprises.
Research areas
Stellar Astrophysics: Dedicated to the study of star formation and evolution.
Galactic Astrophysics: Dedicated to describing the structure and theories of formation of the Milky Way.
Extragalactic Astrophysics: Dedicated to the study of galaxy formation and evolution.
Theoretical Astrophysics: Dedicated to the theoretical development of astrophysics and cosmology.
You can also see the RESEARCH AREAS on our website to find out more about the fields of research for the academic staff in each area. See also Research Centers and associates.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Master’s Program must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Licenciatura) or an equivalent professional degree of at least four years or eight semesters in duration, whose academic level and content are deemed sufficient to meet the requirements for admission to the program. This determination will be made by the Program Director or the Academic Committee of the respective program.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Official undergraduate academic transcript. International applicants must indicate the grading scale used by their institution (minimum grade, maximum grade, and passing grade) to allow conversion to the Chilean grading system.
- Degree certificate and/or diploma (undergraduate degree). Applicants who have not yet graduated must submit a letter from their undergraduate program director or a similar authority indicating their expected graduation date.
- Class rank certificate (for graduates only), or an official statement from the institution where the undergraduate degree was completed indicating that such ranking is not available.
- Updated curriculum vitae (CV).
- National identity card (passport for international applicants).
- Statement of purpose and motivation letter addressed to the current Program Director, Dr. Maja Vuckovic.
- Two letters of recommendation. These should not be uploaded with the application. Instead, they must be sent directly by the recommending faculty members to the program office at postgrado.astrofisica@uv.cl. The subject line of the email should read: “Name of the applicant being recommended”.
Academic Staff
– Catalina Arcos: PhD in Astrophysics, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile. Massive stars, stellar winds, Be stars, line variability.
– Patricia Arévalo: PhD in Astronomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, München, Germany. Black holes, accretion, Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN).
– Jordanka Borissova: PhD in Astrophysics and Astronomy, University of Sofia, Bulgaria. Star formation, stellar clusters, Milky Way galaxy, infrared astronomy, massive stars, variable stars.
– Graeme Candlish: PhD in Physics, University of Nottingham, UK. Numerical simulations, cosmology and gravitation.
– Víctor Cárdenas: PhD in Science, specialization in Physics, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile. Cosmology, General Relativity, Dark Matter, Dark Energy.
– Michel Curé: PhD in Physics, specialization in Astrophysics, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Germany. Massive stars, stellar winds, hydrodynamics, radiative transport, numerical methods, astrostatistics, astrometeorology.
– Daniela Grandón: PhD in Physics, Universidad de Chile. Cosmology, large-scale structure, dark energy, machine learning and deep learning, and Bayesian statistics.
– Zhen Guo: PhD in Astrophysics, Peking University, China. Stellar variability, young stars and protostars, rotation, accretion disks, young giant planets.
– Eduardo Ibar: PhD in Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, UK. Observational cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution, active galactic nuclei, deep radio, infrared and submillimetre surveys.
– Radostin Kurtev: PhD in Astrophysics and Astronomy, University of Sofia, Bulgaria. Star formation, stellar clusters, the Milky Way galaxy, infrared astronomy, very low mass stars, brown dwarfs, cool atmospheres.
– Juan Molina: PhD in Science, specialization in Astronomy, Universidad de Chile. Formation and evolution of galaxies. Galaxy dynamics. Starbursts. Host galaxies of active galactic nuclei.
– Verónica Motta: PhD in Astrophysics, Universidad de la Laguna, España. Observational cosmology, strong gravitational lensing, microlensing, AGN, accretion disks, galaxy groups and clusters, high redshift galaxies, dark matter, spectroscopy.
– Holly Preece: PhD in Astrophysics, University of Cambridge, UK. Research interests include multiple stellar evolution, hot subdwarf stars, tidal interactions, and asteroseismology.
– Maja Vuckovic: PhD in Astrophysics, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. Evolution of hot subdwarf stars, compact pulsators, close binary stellar evolution, asteroseismology.
– Mónica Zorotovic: PhD in Astrophysics, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Close compact binary evolution (white dwarfs, hot subdwarf stars), BPS models, common envelope phase.
How to apply
Please register your interest using the red button labeled “Registra tu interés aquí” at the following link:
https://postgrados.uv.cl/magister/astrofisca
Once you have registered your interest, you will receive the credentials required to access the online application portal. If the admission call is not yet open, these credentials will be sent to you as soon as the application period begins.
More information:
- Please contact postgrado.astrofisica@uv.cl
