Astronomy/Planetary Sciences, BS
Astronomy is the scientific discipline dedicated to the study of everything in the universe outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy/planetary sciences prepares a student for graduate and professional work. Graduates with a degree in astronomy teach in secondary schools, work in academic, government, and industrial laboratories, and teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.
Course requirements for the B.S. program are listed below and are summarized in the accompanying chart. When the student declares the Astronomy major, the director of undergraduate studies assigns a faculty advisor to the student. This advisor assists the student in the selection of courses. Students should consult frequently with their faculty advisors regarding their progress and regarding appropriate science courses. Because the position of the scientist in society is responsible and complex, the student is cautioned to pay careful attention to general education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Stony Brook University offers strong job opportunity potential, with approximately 95% of bachelor's degree graduates finding employment or pursuing further education within a year of graduation. This high placement rate indicates good employment prospects for graduates and suggests the university provides a valuable pathway into the workforce or continued academic pursuits.
Key Takeaway:
High Graduate Success:
Stony Brook University demonstrates a high success rate for its graduates in securing employment or continuing their education after graduation.
Good Employment Prospects:
This statistic indicates strong job market opportunities for those who have completed a bachelor's degree at the university.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
high school GPA (typically above 3.0), while graduate admissions depend on the specific program and may waive GRE requirements for 2026 entry
TOEFL (Internet-based) = 80
IELTS = 6.5
Duolingo = 105
ACT English = 19
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (New Exam) = 480
IB English Higher Level = 5
AP English Language/Comp or Literature/Com exam = 3
A -level (Advanced) English = C
PTE Academic = 53
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
124184 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 50 USD

