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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, Physics 500, 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 PHYA 296.  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 PHYA 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 PHYA 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 Seminar (PHYS 253: 1 unit) and Astro Journal Club (PHYS 258: 1 unit). 

This is only an example course timelines. Elective graduate courses are typically offered every 2 years at differing quarters. Core A classes are taught regularly.   *Core A   **Core B    §Elective

Sample Course Schedule for Astronomy Ph.D. Student (Extragalactic Focus)

Fall Quarter

Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter

YEAR 1

*PHYA 200: Survey

*PHYA 201: Radiation

*PHYS 500: Teaching

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club

*PHYA 202: Fluids

**PHYA 223: Stellar Astro.

§PHYA 229: Observational Techniques

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club

**PHYA 226: Galaxies

§PHYS 227: Cosmology

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club

Year 2

§PHYA 232: Astrostatistics

PHYA 296: 2nd Year Research

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club

**PHYA 224: Interstellar Medium

PHYA 296: 2nd Year Research

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club

**PHYA 233: Astrophysical Dynamics

PHYA 296: 2nd Year Research

PHYS 253: Astro Seminar

PHYS 258: Journal Club