Archived Course Requirements
Candidates for a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics should complete five core courses in astronomy, at least one other elective in astronomy, and at least one graduate physics course. Details follow.
Astronomy Core Courses
Students should obtain a broad knowledge of astronomy by obtaining a satisfactory grade (A or B) in the following five core courses:
- Astronomy 150: Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
- Astronomy 201a: Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics
- Astronomy 201b: Interstellar Medium and Star Formation
- Astronomy 202a: Galaxies and Dynamics
- Astronomy 202b: Cosmology
Equivalent courses taken elsewhere may satisfy this requirement, at the discretion of the course instructor and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
Astronomy Elective
In addition, students are expected to obtain a satisfactory grade (A or B) in at least one of the following graduate level electives offered by the Astronomy department:
- Astronomy 151: Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Astronomy 193: Noise and Data Analysis in Astrophysics
- Astronomy 218: Radio Astronomy
- Astronomy 219: High Energy Astrophysics
- Astronomy 224: Solar System Dynamics
- Astronomy 251: Quantum Mechanics for Astrophysics
Courses of equivalent intellectual substance in mathematics, physics or planetary sciences may be used to satisfy this requirement at the discretion of the DGS.
Graduate Physics Course
Knowledge of physics is very important in astronomy and astrophysics. As a minimum, students are expected to obtain a satisfactory grade (A or B) in one of the following courses:
- Physics 210: General Theory of Relativity
- Physics 251a: Advanced Quantum Mechanics I
- Physics 251b: Advanced Quantum Mechanics II
- Astronomy 251: Quantum Mechanics for Astrophysics
Other 200 level courses in Physics or Applied Mathematics may be substituted with the permission of the DGS.
More Information on Courses
For more information on individual courses, see Courses of Instruction: Astronomy, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Earth and Planetary Sciences.
First-Year Students
The following
Journal Club
Journal Club (Astronomy 301hf) meets weekly. This course is intended as an opportunity for substantive discussion, as a venue for students to find out about research activities, and as a forum to foster interaction between students and faculty. All graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Study Plan
At the beginning of the fall semester, each student is expected to discuss their proposed study and research schedule with their advisor and to submit a Study Plan to the Committee on Academic Studies. First year students are strongly urged to discuss their Study Plan also with the DGS. Study Plan forms are available here. In coming up with their Study Plans, students should aim to complete their course work, teaching requirements and Research Project by the end of their second year.