PhD Program
Our PhD program is generally 5 to 5-1/2 years. The first two years include research projects, classes, and the opportunity to teach. The remainder is devoted to thesis research.
Requirements include:
- Seven (7) core courses in astronomy (21 credits) plus two approved cognate courses from other departments (6 credits) taken during the first two years
- First- and second-year research projects with required presentations
- Doctoral preliminary examination
- Dissertation and oral defense
Sample Schedule: Years 1 & 2
AVERAGE PROGRAM LENGTH:
5 — 5-1/2 YEARS
YEARS 1 & 2:
YEAR-LONG RESEARCH
PROJECTS, CLASSES, TEACHING
REMAINDER:
THESIS RESEARCH
Year 1, Fall semester
- Astronomy 501: Modern Astronomical Techniques
- Astronomy 533: The Structure and Content of Galaxies
- Cognate course in Physics/Math/Statistics
- Research
Year 1, Winter semester
- Astronomy 534: The Extragalactic Universe
- Astronomy 535: Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium
- Research
Year 2, Fall semester
- Astronomy 530: Stellar Astrophysics I
- Cognate course in Physics/Math/Statistics
- Research
Year 2, Winter semester
- Astronomy 531: Stellar Astrophysics II
- Astronomy 532: The High Energy Universe
- Research
The advancement to candidacy exam is given 1-2 months after the end of the Winter semester, Year 2. After the qualifying exam, students have met the requirements for a master’s degree.
