Introduction
The Astronomy and astrophysics graduate program is intended for those with a deep interest in the subject. Students are trained in the latest techniques in computation, data analysis, and instrumentation, which have wide utility in academia and in industry. The interests of the faculty encompass a wide range of theoretical, observational, and instrumentation aspects of astronomy. Current research and course offerings include cosmology, galaxies, stars, transient astronomy, exoplanets, astrobiology, and instrumentation/adaptive optics.
Graduate students have access to state-of-the-art instrument labs and an on-campus supercomputer dedicated to astrophysical computation. Graduate students may conduct supervised research at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, 55 miles from Santa Cruz, and the Keck Telescope in Hawaii.
Advancement to Candidacy
Course Requirements
Preparation for Graduate Work in Astrophysics
The UC Santa Cruz graduate program in astronomy and astrophysics is predominantly designed for Ph.D. students seeking a professional career in research and teaching, but with flexibility for students to prepare for careers outside of academia. In view of the thorough preparation in mathematics and physics required for graduate study, most entering astronomy graduate students major in physics or astrophysics as undergraduates.
The suggested minimum requirements for admission to graduate standing at UC Santa Cruz include the following undergraduate courses:
Basic physics.
Mechanics, wave motion, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, atomic physics, and quantum mechanics.
Basic mathematics.
Calculus
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 23B | Vector Calculus | 5 |
And Statistics
Intermediate-level physics.
Intermediate-level mathematics.
Graduate Program Requirements
The graduate curriculum includes six required core courses, which are listed below. Students must pass all six required courses by maintaining a grade of B or higher in five of the required courses and receiving a grade of S (satisfactory) in ASTR 205. ASTR 205 should be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. All other core classes should be taken ABC/No Pass. Students will take five of these classes in their first year and one class (either ASTR 220A or ASTR 233) in their second year.
1.1 Core Curriculum (6 courses)
1.2 Elective Courses (choose 2 over first 2 years)
Students must pass two elective classes from the following list of six courses. These classes are graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Subject to instructor availability, the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department expects to offer each of these classes every two years. Students should complete this requirement by the end of their second year.
1.3 Additional Electives (3 courses)
Students must pass three additional elective classes. There are three ways to fulfill this requirement, which are described below. Students have the option of taking these classes ABC/No Pass or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, subject to the requirements of the individual courses. Students should complete this requirement by the end of their second year.
1) Students may take additional classes from the list in Section 1.2.
2) Students may take ASTR 215, Research Practicum for Astrophysics, which is a project-based class that introduces students to topics substantially outside of their primary research area.
3) Students may take courses in other departments that are relevant to an astronomy and astrophysics Ph.D., most often in physics, Earth and planetary sciences, applied mathematics, and statistics. This coursework must cover topics that are not covered in the astronomy and astrophysics graduate curriculum or its assumed pre-requisites. The courses must count toward the Ph.D. requirements of the offering departments. The graduate program director approves these courses on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Research Requirements
1) Students must meet at least quarterly (and ideally weekly) with an assigned adviser.
2) By the end of their second academic year, students must (a) complete a research project advised by a UC Santa Cruz faculty member, either in astronomy and astrophysics, or approved by the department, (b) give a department talk on this work, and (c) submit a lead-author paper on this work to a refereed journal or equivalent.
3) Pursue independent research, under the mentorship of their adviser, leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Teaching Requirements
1) Serve as a teaching assistant two times, and at least once during the first seven quarters.
2) Write a teaching statement, similar to the type that would be expected of someone applying for a university faculty job. The teaching statement will be evaluated by a member of the astronomy and astrophysics faculty. This requirement may be completed at any time during the Ph.D.
Qualifying Examination
By the end of the third year, students must complete a qualifying examination that presents and defends a proposed thesis topic.
Degree Timeline and Funding
The department has established five years as the normative time to degree. Normative time is the elapsed calendar time, in years, that, under normal circumstances and excluding department-approved leaves, will be needed to complete all requirements for the Ph.D.
We expect funding in the form of graduate student researcher positions or teaching assistantships to be available for our Ph.D. students for five years, provided the student makes sufficient progress toward a degree. A one-year extension may be granted if funding is available. Funding support will not, in general, be provided beyond six years.
Exceptions for extension beyond six years will be granted only for exceptional extenuating circumstances and will be decided upon by the department chair in consultation with the faculty.
Dissertation
Dissertation
After passing the board review based on the requirements and the qualifying examination, students pursue independent research leading to the doctoral dissertation.
Dissertation Defense
Upon completion of the Ph.D. dissertation, students must pass an oral dissertation defense. A completed draft of the thesis must be submitted to the dissertation committee at least two weeks before the date of the defense, and the defense itself must occur at least two weeks before the campus deadline for thesis submissions in that quarter. Exceptions to this policy will be granted only under exceptional circumstances and must be approved by the department chair, graduate program director, and the student’s thesis committee.
Academic Progress
The department has established five years as the normative time to degree. Normative time is the elapsed calendar time, in years, that, under normal circumstances and excluding department-approved leaves, will be needed to complete all requirements for the Ph.D.
We expect funding in the form of graduate student researcher positions or teaching assistantships to be available for our Ph.D. students for five years, provided the student makes sufficient progress towards a degree. A one-year extension may be granted if funding is available. Funding support will not, in general, be provided beyond six years. Exceptions for extension beyond six years will be granted only for exceptional extenuating circumstances and will be decided upon by the department chair in consultation with the faculty.