Core curriculum
This document is intended to provide an overview of the graduate curriculm. In addition to describing basic requirements and course offerings, it gives sample roadmaps with possible paths through which graduate students can acquire the basic knowledge and skills for entering research in three broad areas. These are only schematic, as the actual course schedule will vary according to faculty availability and student interest. We note that in addition to offerings in the Astronomy Dept., there are a number of courses in other Depts. that might also be taken (see requirements).
Course Listing
Core Courses
All students are encouraged to prepare themselves for the preliminary and specific research work by engaging in a program of courses. It is strongly recommended that these be drawn from the following basic courses:
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Astronomy 201: Radiative Processes in Astronomy
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Astronomy 202: Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
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Astronomy 203: Astrophysical Techniques
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Astronomy 204: Numerical Techniques in Astronomy
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Astronomy 216: Interstellar Matter
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Astronomy 217: Radiative Astrophysics:Stars, Disks, and Winds
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Astronomy 218: Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure
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Astronomy C228: Extragalactic Astronomy and Physical Cosmology
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Astronomy C249: Solar System Astrophysics
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Astronomy 252: Stellar Structure and Evolution
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Astronomy C254: High Energy Astrophysics
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Astronomy 255: Computational Methods in Astrophysics
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Astronomy 267 Plasma Astrophysics
Astronomy 290AB: Introduction to Current Research is required of all students in their first year. This consists of weekly lectures by different faculty members and introduces the student to current research being carried out in the Department and nearby Labs. (This course is not a prelim topic.)
Other Courses
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Astronomy 300 Instruction Techniques in General Astronomy is normally taken concurrently with Graduate Student Instructor duties in Astronomy 7 or 10. This allows the student to take credits for acting as a GSI.
Scheduling
Sample
Here is an example of how the Department course offerings might look:
Sample 3 Year Schedule
| Fall 1 | Spring 1 | Fall 2 | Spring 2 | Fall 3 | Spring 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 202 | 201 | 202 | 201 | 202 |
| 218 | 228 | 218 | 228 | 218 | 228 |
| 252 | 216 | 254 | 216 | 252 | 216 |
| 217 | 203 | 249 | 255 | 217 | 203 |
ISM/Star/Planet Formation
Those interested in ISM and star/planet formation and solar system might take:
ISM/Star/Planet Formation Sequence – ODD YEAR</caption>
| F1 | S1 | F2 | S2 | F3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 203 | 249 | 202 | 217 |
| 218 | 216 | 252 |
ISM/Star/Planet Formation Sequence – EVEN YEAR
| F2 | S2 | F3 | S3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 202 | 217 | 203 |
| 249 | 216 | 218 | |
| 252 |
Comments: ODD schedule is stretched out relative to EVEN schedule
Prelim topics from 201-203, 216, 217, 252 are best.
Attendance in ISM/Star Formation Journal Club (292-2) including presentation would be recommended.
Research with Basri, Backer, Blitz, Bower, Chiang, De Pater, Graham, Heiles, Marcy, McKee, Welch.
Extragalactic Studies and Cosmology
Those interested in extragalactic studies and cosmology would take: Extragalactic and Cosmology Sequence – ODD YEAR
| F1 | S1 | F2 | S2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 203 | 254 | 202 |
| 218 | 228 | 216 |
Extragalactic and Cosmology Sequence – EVEN YEAR
| F2 | S2 | F3 | S3 | F4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 202 | 252 | 203 | 254 |
| 218 | 228 |
Prelim topics from 201, 203, 218, 228 are best.
Attendance in Cosmology Seminar (292-5) including presentation would be recommended.
Research with Bloom, Bower, Davis, Graham, Filippenko, Ma, Spinrad, White.
Compact Objects, Stars and Stellar Death
Those interested in compact objects, stars, and death of stars would take similar sequence to extragalactic & cosmology or ISM and star/planet formation depending on mean redshift of interest.
Prelim topics from 201-202, 216, 252, and 254 are best.
Research with Arons, Backer, Basri, Bloom, Boggs, Filippenko, Quataert.