Program Overview

PhD Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics is a year-round, full-time doctoral program on the academic quarter system, which encourages students to explore a range of courses, engage with more faculty, and challenge themselves in a fast-paced and academically rigorous environment.

Program Overview

• full-time scholastic residence of at least 300 units of coursework per quarter, including summer
• completion of required core graduate courses
• completion of one to three pre-candidacy research projects
• successful completion of a two-part candidacy exam
• completion of the teaching practicum
• identification of a thesis advisor
• formation of a thesis committee
• thesis research and preparation
• final examination

Mentoring

Each admitted student is assigned a mentor who will help the student navigate graduate school by guiding them to achieve academic and professional goals and supporting their well-being and personal development. The mentor can guide students in course selection, assist in navigating difficult situations when they arise, provide coaching when preparing for oral exams, and counsel regarding postdoc placement or other career options.

Financial Support

Graduate students in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics receive full financial support from a combination of University and departmental fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Students are also encouraged to seek out external fellowships, as these provide students with both financial support and the flexibility to focus on research goals of individual interest. A two-quarter practicum as a teaching assistant is required of all graduate students, typically in the first year of study. Teaching assignments include instructing lab sections for non-science majors, and collaborative teaching with the faculty instructor of lecture courses in the Major in Astrophysics program.

Research Opportunities

Research fields span a wide range, with close integration between theory and experiment, and are enhanced by connections to the Enrico Fermi Institute, the Departments of Physics and the Geophysical Sciences, and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago. The department has strong partnerships with premiere facilities including Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab, and is a founding member of the 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope, the world's largest optical telescope now under construction in the Chilean Andes.

Program History and Faculty

The faculty have been at the forefront of astronomy for over a century, shaping its course since the founding of the department by George Ellery Hale in 1892. Notable faculty contributions include pioneering the big glass in telescopes, defining the agenda of theoretical astrophysics, revolutionizing our view of the sun and the role of magnetic fields in the cosmos, and bringing together particle physics and cosmology. The department's students have also been influential, with notable alumni including Edwin Hubble, Nancy Grace Roman, Carl Sagan, and Jeremiah P. Ostriker.

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in astronomy and astrophysics, with a focus on research and academic rigor. The program includes a range of courses, research opportunities, and teaching experiences, all of which are designed to prepare students for successful careers in academia, research, or industry.

Conclusion

The PhD Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago is a highly competitive and rigorous program that provides students with a comprehensive education in astronomy and astrophysics. With a focus on research and academic rigor, the program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in academia, research, or industry. The department's faculty and alumni have made significant contributions to the field, and the program's research opportunities and partnerships with premiere facilities provide students with a unique and enriching experience.