Timeline

The Astronomy Graduate Program is designed to be completed in 5 years, but allows a range of 4-6 years. 

During Year 1 a graduate student will typically take 3 Core A classes, ASTR 300, and 4 additional classes (Core B elective).  The graduate student will complete at least one quarter as a Teaching Assistant. It is highly recommended that a first year graduate student selects a research advisor by the end of Spring quarter in year 1.

During Year 2 a graduate student will take the remaining 2 classes (Core B elective) and 3 quarters of ASTR 298.  The graduate student will be busy studying for and completing the qualifying exam by the end of Spring quarter in Year 2.

During Year 3 a graduate student is fully committed to a research program. Students are enroll in ASTR 298 for research and units.  The graduate student should begin developing their dissertation program with their research advisor(s), form a dissertation committee.  By end of year 3 the graduate student should complete the Advance to Candidacy.

During Year 4 - Year 6 the graduate student is fully committed to their proposed dissertation research.  Students enroll in ASTR 299 for units. To satisfy the Ph.D. the students must complete a Defense.

The table below shows a sample course schedule for the first two years of the Astronomy Ph.D. program. The curriculum is designed to be flexible to the graduate students interest and research focus, and allows for additional electives beyond the requirements. It is expected that all 1st and 2nd year students are registered for the Astrophysics Colloquium (PHYS 250: 2 unit) and Journal Club (PHYS 251: 1 unit).