can good master overcome horrible undergraduate gpa?

[astronomer]

Hi, I've graduated about one semester ago, majored in physics-electronics with gpa 2.6 (however physics is included in my major's name, this major focused mainly on electronics and engineering which i didn't interested in, cause i always felt and told myself that you should do theoretical and other physics' activities instead of soldering circuits). When i chose this major, i thought i would graduate with great knowledge in physics and additional electronics abilities , but things turned out different after the first year, I realized that this major was mainly about electronics engineering. Addition to my lack of interest in this area, I have ocd and perfectionism which affect me greatly after i got one D in my math class cause i had set of goal that all of my gpa should be perfectly A's because i was always top students from first grad to highschool, i could't handle that one D, I tried to re-take the course again, but in my country, school and college's had strict rules that most of you guys' countries don't have, i think. While happening this things, i was learning english at a language center. In that center, there is a program that student who get in usa's college from my country came and taught the process how they get into the usa colleges. After listening their success story, i felt like i too can do it and study in usa by learning english and taking sat to reach my childhood dream of becoming astronomer at nasa, also this seemed perfect opportunity for me to re-start everything again. It was obvious that it would took some time, especially person like me who started learning language from elementary. Thinking it would safe, i continued the major, not paying much attention to it especially electronics' subjects. But might be i didn't have talent for learning languages (you can clearly see even now my writing is horrible) or I had self-doubt or other factors, the language learning took lot of time, and I was approaching the end of my junior year of the major, the electronics major which i don't like, and also my dearest father passed away cause of sudden heart attack. so I had to graduate this major and help my mom for running my family business. After graduation i asked from my school that can i continue and add extra year to study theoretical physics, they said once you graduate, it is impossible to re-study, even you graduated from related-field ( that is what i am telling that my country's college rules are just stupid), unless you take a test, which is sat like test of my country and the validity of the test is 2 years, that's why they say re-take that test cause mine which i took 4 years ago, so you can apply undergraduate again and transfer your 60 credits. so what i am asking is should i re-take the test to re-study and major in physics at undergraduate level or just study physics at master with good gpa and research experience? can latter option beat my horrible nightmare like undergraduate gpa? with good master, will i have a chance for phd in astronomy and physics in usa?

Edited January 7, 2016 by astronomer

[GeoDUDE!]

THe real question is if you are even qualified to enter a masters program.... I think it might be difficult for you to get into one. Did you take general physics courses: Electro/Magnetic Dynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Classical Mechanics and Statistical and Thermal Physics ?

If you have taken those classes, you should study for the Physics GRE. If you can score high on that, you will get into a masters program in the US. If you haven't taken those courses, is it possible for you to take those courses as a non degree student at another college? That might be the best option. 

I think that a masters program can help you get into a good PhD program in the US or Europe (its actually required in most european schools).  I just think you might have difficutly getting into one. 

[TakeruK]

My undergrad school in Canada also had the policy that if you passed a course (a D is a pass) then you cannot retake the course. They also had a lot of rules about undergrads taking grad classes, so I understand your frustration there!

From your story, I think you are lacking a lot of the Physics preparation you would need to reach your goal of working as an astronomer. I think the best route forward is for you to take that test and major in physics at the undergraduate level. I think that the best use of time in a Masters degree is to do research in Physics, not just take courses in Physics. But maybe the system in your country is very different and this is not possible. Also, I might be misunderstanding your story. @GeoDUDE! gave good advice about undergrad courses. From your story, it does not sound like you took the classes that he listed. But if you did, then you can probably go for a Masters program.