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Astronomy & Astrophysics Astronomy
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The Astronomy & Astrophysics Graduate Program curriculum is designed to provide students with broad intellectual and skills training necessary for research and careers in both astronomy and related fields.  Students are required to take 10 graduate courses (38 units total): 7 Core courses (including teaching instruction) and 3 Elective courses. In addition, students must complete two (2) quarters (at least 8 units) of ASTR 298 (Directed Studies) prior to their Qualification Exam. These course requirements must be completed by the end of the second year, unless an approved exception is made by the Astronomy Graduate Degree Program.

Core A: Students are required to complete each of the following four (4) courses for a letter grade, with the exception of ASTR 300 which must be passed with an S:

  • ASTR 200: Survey of Astronomy (4 units)
  • ASTR 201: Radiative Processes in Astrophysics (4 units)
  • ASTR 202: Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (4 units)
  • ASTR 500: Astronomical Teaching Training (2 units)

Core B: Students are required to complete three (3) of the following five (5) courses for a letter grade:

  • ASTR 210: Planets and Exoplanets (4 units)
  • ASTR 211: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 units)
  • ASTR 212: Physics of the Interstellar Medium (4 units)
  • ASTR 213: Galaxies (4 units)
  • ASTR 214: Physical Cosmology (4 units)

Electives: Students are required to complete three (3) courses (not overlapping with those listed above) among the following courses for a letter grade:

  • ASTR 210: Planets and Exoplanets (4 units)
  • ASTR 211: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 units)
  • ASTR 212: Physics of the Interstellar Medium (4 units)
  • ASTR 213: Galaxies (4 units)
  • ASTR 214: Physical Cosmology (4 units)
  • ASTR 215: Stellar Remnants (4 units)
  • ASTR 220: Astronomical Instrumentation and Observational Techniques (4 units)
  • ASTR 221: Computational Astrophysics (4 units)
  • ASTR 222: Astrophysical Kinetics (4 unit)
  • ASTR 223: Astrostatistics (4 units)
  • ASTR 224: Astrophysical Dynamics (4 units)
  • ASTR 225: Astrophysical Plasmas (4 units)
  • ASTR 226: Observational Astrophysics Lab (4 units)
  • ASTR 227: Parallel Computing Techniques (4 units)
  • ASTR 230: Special Topics (4 units)
  • Any one (1) graduate-level course in PHYS, CSE, MAE, SIO, CHEM, DSE, MATH subject to
    approval by the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Graduate Advisory Committee.

Semimars: During the first and second year of graduate studies, it is required for students to take ASTR 250 (Astronomy & Astrophysics Colloquium) for 2 units and ASTR 251 (Astronomy & Astrophysics Journal Club) for 2 units per course. The 2 units corresponds to attendance of the weekly presentations and participation in the weekly readings and discussion of colloquium papers and preparation of presentations for journal club.  Graduate students that have completed the qualifying exam are encouraged to enroll in either 1 or 2 units for ASTR 250 and ASTR 251; where 1 unit corresponds to attending the weekly presentation.. 

Research: All directed studies pre-candidates should be enrolled in ASTR 298 (pre-candidacy) and ASTR 299 (post-candidacy) for research credits (1-12 units). During the first and second year of graduate studies, it is required for students to take at least two (2) quarters of ASTR 298 (Directed Studies) before the Spring Quarter Qualifying Exam. 

Visit the course catalog for a more detailed description of each of the courses.