Program Statistics
Visit PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Astronomy
Degree Types: PhD
The Northwestern Astronomy PhD is designed to provide students with a broad training in astronomy while enabling them to get started quickly with their graduate research. The Astronomy PhD is a flexible program that allows students to complement their astronomy training with a selection of physics courses or courses from other quantitative disciplines such as applied mathematics, statistics, computer science or engineering relevant to their research.
Students pursuing astronomy or astrophysics research in our department will benefit from the vibrant environment and opportunities offered by the Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Exploration in Astrophysics (CIERA).
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact Nou Yang
Graduate Program Assistant
847-491-3685
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
PhD
Total Units Required: 12
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Required Course | |
| PHYSICS 411-0 | Classical Mechanics |
| A minimum of six 400-level astronomy courses selected from the following: | |
ASTRON 410-0 | Astrophysical Radiative Processes and Transport |
ASTRON 414-0 | Planetary Astrophysics |
ASTRON 416-0 | Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics |
ASTRON 421-0 | Observational Astrophysics |
ASTRON 425-0 | Stellar Astrophysics |
ASTRON 429-0 | Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology |
ASTRON 448-0 | Interstellar Matter and Star Formation |
ASTRON 449-0 | Stellar Dynamics |
ASTRON 451-0 | High Energy Astrophysics |
| A minimum of two 400-level physics courses, of which PHYSICS 411-0 counts as one | |
| A minimum of four other 400-level quantitative science or engineering courses (including in physics or astronomy) | |
Other PhD Degree Requirements
- Examinations: Students who do not maintain a B (3.0) average in their core first-year courses will be required to sit for an oral qualifying examination.
- PhD Dissertation
MS Degree Requirements for PhD Students
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program have the opportunity to obtain a formal master’s degree as they work toward completion of the Ph.D. These requirements are as follows:
- Completion of 12 graded courses as described above
- GPA of 3.0 or higher