Graduate courses in Astronomy are organized into a set of 6 core courses taught on a 2-year cycle to first- and second-year students, and a set of courses offered every year (Astronomy 5830 and 7810), and occasional topical seminars. Please read the graduate school's registration deadlines and requirements before proceeding.
Courses Offered in Even Academic Years (e.g., 2024/2026/2028)
Astronomy 5830: Observed Properties of Astronomical Systems
Observed properties of planets (including extrasolar planets), the solar system, stars, and both active and quiescent galaxies.
Astronomy 6891/6892: Astronomy Seminar
First and second-year students will participate in weekly departmental colloquia and journal club.
Astronomy 7810: Order of Magnitude Astrophysics
Methods for solving a wide range of astrophysical problems, building on basic physical principles.
Astronomy 8823: Atomic and Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
Continuum and discrete radiative processes relevant to astrophysics.
Astronomy 8831: Stellar Structure & Evolution
Theoretical aspects of the structure and evolution of single stars.
Astronomy 8871: Interstellar & Intergalactic Medium
The physics of low-density gasses, with application to the interstellar medium and the intergalactic medium.
Courses Offered in Odd Academic Years (e.g., 2025/2027/2029)
Astronomy 5830: Observed Properties of Astronomical Systems
Observed properties of planets (including extrasolar planets), the solar system, stars, and both active and quiescent galaxies.
Astronomy 6891/6892: Astronomy Seminar
First and second-year students will participate in weekly departmental colloquia and journal clubs.
Astronomy 7810: Order of Magnitude Astrophysics
Methods for the solution of a wide range of astrophysical problems, building on basic physical principles.
Astronomy 8824: Numerical & Statistical Methods in Astrophysics
Practical applications of numerical and statistical methods used in modern astrophysics.
Astronomy 8870: Dynamics
Planetary dynamics, stellar dynamics, and astrophysical gas dynamics.
Astronomy 8873: Cosmology
Structure and evolution of the universe, physical processes in the early universe, formation of cosmic structure.
Registering for Courses
Read the graduate school's registration deadlines and requirements. Note that for all research credit hours below, make sure to choose your advisor's section of Astronomy 8998 or 8999.
Fall and Spring Semesters:
1st-year students: Register for all courses offered, including Seminar (Colloquium and Journal Club), and then research credit hours (Ast 8998) until a total number of 15 credit hours (for all courses combined). As an example: for fall 2016, register for Ast 6891 (2 hours), Ast 5830 (5 hours), Ast 8823 (3 hours), Ast 8998 (5 hours); for spring 2017 register for Ast 6892 (2 hours), Ast 7810 (2 hours), Ast 8831 (3 hours), Ast 8871 (3 hours), Ast 8998 (5 hours).
2nd-year students: Register for all courses offered (except 5830), including Seminar (Colloquium and Journal Club), and then research credit hours (Ast 8998) until a total number of 15 credit hours (for all courses combined). As an example: for fall 2016, register for Ast 6891 (2 hours), Ast 8823 (3 hours), Ast 8998 (10 hours); for spring 2017, register for Ast 6892 (2 hours), Ast 7810 (2 hours), Ast 8831 (3 hours), Ast 8871 (3 hours), Ast 8998 (5 hours).
3rd-year pre-candidacy students: register for 8 hours of pre-candidacy research (Ast 8998) in Fall and Spring, except for Graduate Fellows, who should enroll for 12 hours in Fall and Spring.
3rd-year and beyond post-candidacy students: register for 3 hours of post-candidacy research (Ast 8999) each term (Spring, Fall, and Summer).
Summer Semester:
1st and 2nd-year pre-candidacy students: register for 4 credit hours of pre-candidacy research (Ast 8998). Fellows need to register for 6 credit hours of pre-candidacy research.
3rd-year pre-Candidacy students: register for 4 hours of pre-candidacy research (Ast 8998). Fellows need to register for 6 credit hours of pre-candidacy research.
3rd-year and beyond post-Candidacy students: register for 3 hours of post-Candidacy research (Ast 8999).