#  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](/book/graduate-student-advising) (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](http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/Astronomy.html) 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](http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses): [Astronomy](http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/Astronomy.html), [Physics](http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/Physics.html), [Applied Mathematics](/%20%20http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/AppliedMathematics.html), [Earth and Planetary Sciences](http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/Courses/EarthandPlanetarySciences.html).

#### *First-Year Students*

The following

File

[course\_planner\_2012.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum6286/files/astronomy/files/course_planner_2012_2.pdf) (48.96 KB)

 



 summarizes the course requirements and lists when individual courses are offered. First-year students may find it helpful for planning.#### 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](/book/graduate-student-advising). First year students are strongly urged to discuss their Study Plan also with the DGS. Study Plan forms are available [here](/book/forms). 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.