how much does a phd in astrophysics cost

Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Phd program in astronomy and astrophysics.

Our faculty have been at the forefront of astronomy for over a century, shaping its course since the founding of our department by George Ellery Hale in 1892. Hale pioneered the big glass in telescopes that ushered in a new age in astronomy; Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar defined the agenda of theoretical astrophysics for fifty years; Eugene Parker revolutionized our view of the sun and the role of magnetic fields in the cosmos; and David Schramm brought together particle physics and cosmology.  Our students have been just as influential.  Edwin Hubble solved the puzzle of the nebulae and discovered the expansion of the Universe; Nancy Grace Roman made the Hubble Space Telescope a reality; Carl Sagan advanced our understanding of the solar system and how to share the excitement of what we do with the public; and Jeremiah P. Ostriker’s manifold contributions have made him the leading theorist of his generation.

Today graduate students in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics have multiple opportunities to engage with our pre-eminent faculty and their research groups on short- or long-term projects to complete pre-candidacy requirements and doctoral theses. Research fields span a wide range, with close integration between theory and experiment, and are enhanced by our 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. We have strong partnerships with premiere facilities including  Argonne National Laboratory and  Fermilab , and we are a founding member of the 25-meter  Giant Magellan Telescope , the world's largest optical telescope now under construction in the Chilean Andes. 

The PhD in 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. 

Summary of Requirements

• 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

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.

Students with questions may contact

• Fausto Cattaneo (Deputy Chair for Academic Affairs),
• Laticia Rebeles (Graduate Student Affairs Administrator),
• Bahareh Lampert (Dean of Students in the Physical Sciences Division),
• Amanda Young (Associate Director, Graduate Student Affairs) in UChicagoGRAD.

Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

A virtual tour of the University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Related Links

• Online Application
• Information for International Students
• Graduate Course Catalog
• For Current Students

Astrophysics PhD

The Department of Astronomy offers a graduate program aimed at the PhD degree in astrophysics. Entering students need not have majored in astronomy, although some background in astronomy is desirable. A strong background in physics, however, is essential.

Research is a major part of the PhD program, and the department offers opportunities in a wide variety of fields, including theoretical and observational astrophysics; infrared, optical, and radio astronomy; time-domain astronomy; high-energy astrophysics and cosmology; discovery and analysis of exoplanets; star formation and stellar evolution.

The department has established six years as the normative time to degree. Normative time is the elapsed calendar time in years that under normal circumstances will be needed to complete all requirements for the PhD, assuming a student who enters without deficiencies, who is engaged in full-time uninterrupted study, and who is making desirable progress toward the degree.

Contact Info

[email protected]

501 Campbell Hall #3411

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 4, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Astrophysics, PHD

On this page:.

At a Glance: program details

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Astrophysics

The PhD program in astrophysics develops creative scholarship in students and prepares them for professional careers in astrophysics, astronomy or related fields.

Students in this program take graduate-level courses in stars and interstellar media, galaxies and cosmology; obtain quantitative skills through analysis and modelling; may have observing opportunities through regional and international telescope observatories; and conduct independent, fundamental astrophysical research. Graduate students work closely with a research advisor on a wide range of topics including theoretical physics, cosmology, galaxy dynamics, stellar evolution, exoplanets, and the development and building of instrumentation.

Graduate students in astrophysics become leaders in observational and theoretical research. They participate in NASA- and NSF-funded space missions and study topics such as how stars are born and die, how galaxies interact and evolve, and how the universe changed as it developed from its earliest beginnings.

The program's world-class faculty have research expertise across the full breadth of astrophysics including the solar system, stars and galaxies from the Milky Way and the most distant galaxies in the universe. Current ASU research applies both computational and observational approaches to the exploration of a range of topics such as fundamental cosmology and whether there is life on exoplanets.

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)

Electives or Research (53 credit hours)

Other Requirements: Astrophysics Sequence (9 credit hours) AST 521 Stars and Interstellar Medium I (3) AST 522 Stars and Interstellar Medium II (3) AST 591 Seminar: Astrophysics (2) SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)

Other Requirements: Galaxies and Cosmology Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3) AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3) AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3)

Other Requirements: Exoplanets and Planetary Science Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 598 Topic: Origins of Solar Systems (3) AST 598 Topic: Exploring Exoplanets (3) SES 598 Topic: Water in the Solar System (3)

Other Requirements: Instrumentation and Techniques Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 552 Astronomical Instrumentation and Data Analysis (3) SES 598 Topic: An Introduction to Astro-statistics (3) SES 598 Topic: Spectroscopy for Astrophysics (3) SES 598 Topic: Introductory Radio Astronomy (3)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SES 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree.

Substitutions for Other Requirement courses may be made per department approval.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admissions application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

Professionals with expertise in astrophysics are in high demand across all sectors and industries, including remote sensing, data science, instrument building, computational science, defense industries and scientific research. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond astrophysics. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data related to the physics, chemistry and structure of the universe and exoplanetary systems are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies to explore beyond the Earth and solar system.

A doctoral degree in astrophysics is required for some careers in post-secondary education and research.

Career examples include:

• astrophysics professor
• data scientist
• instrument builder
• project manager
• research astronomer
• telescope operator

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-5081

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Berkeley Berkeley Academic Guide: Academic Guide 2023-24

Astrophysics.

About the Program

The Department of Astronomy offers a graduate program aimed at the PhD degree in astrophysics. Entering students need not have majored in astronomy, although some background in astronomy is desirable. A strong background in physics, however, is essential.

Research is a major part of the PhD program, and the department offers opportunities in a wide variety of fields, including theoretical and observational astrophysics; infrared, optical, and radio astronomy; time-domain astronomy; high-energy astrophysics and cosmology; discovery and analysis of exoplanets; star formation and stellar evolution.

The department has established six years as the normative time to degree. Normative time is the elapsed calendar time in years that under normal circumstances will be needed to complete all requirements for the PhD, assuming a student who enters without deficiencies, who is engaged in full-time uninterrupted study, and who is making desirable progress toward the degree.

Visit Department Website

Admission to the University

Applying for graduate admission.

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. A complete list of graduate academic departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website .

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application can be found on the Graduate Division website .

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page . It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here .

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page .

Admission to the Program

In addition to the application, transcripts of undergraduate work, and letters of recommendation, applicants may need to submit scores of the General Record Examinations (GRE). A final decision on this will be made at a later date. If applicable, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be required too. Physics Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are no longer accepted. 

Detailed information concerning admission, financial aid, and degree requirements may be found on the department's website.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The requirements for the astrophysics phd degree as follows:.

• ASTRON 290A and 290B (a seminar)
• A total of 6 graduate (or equivalent) courses, 3 of which are from the Astronomy Department
• Examinations (Preliminary and Qualifying)
• Thesis (signed by committee)

University Registration

The Introduction to Current Research seminar is required of all students in their first year. This consists of weekly lectures by different faculty members and research staff, and introduces the student to current research being carried out in the department and nearby labs. (This course is not a preliminary exam topic.)

 These courses are offered based on interest.

All candidates for the Ph.D. in Astrophysics must acquire two semesters of teaching experience during their graduate career.

It is desirable that this requirement be satisfied early in the graduate career, but it may be delayed for those international students who have not acquired adequate command of English, or other reasons, at the discretion of the Chairperson. The requirement may be waived for transfer students who have acquired similar teaching experience elsewhere.

Examinations

All candidates must pass two oral examinations administered by the faculty. The preliminary examination should be completed by the end of the second academic year of study and focuses on basic competency in three subfields selected by the student. The qualifying examination should be completed by the end of the fourth academic year of study and is composed of a review of a thesis topic and an examination of a student’s competency in his or her research subfield. Students entering with a Master’s Degree or its equivalent may have the preliminary examination requirement waived subject to the discretion of the Chair.

The thesis is an original piece of research carried out by the candidate under the supervision of a thesis advisor and two other faculty members (one of whom must be from another discipline). The Graduate Division has published  guidelines for dissertations and theses.

Registration is required of all students making any use of University facilities, including access to faculty. A student is required to be registered, or pay the filing fee, whichever is applicable for the semester in which the degree is conferred. To be eligible for filing fee status the student must have been continuously registered since entering (allowing for one year of approved withdrawal), and registered in the term immediately preceding the one in which the Filing Fee is requested. You must register each semester before the end of the third week of classes.

Master's Degree

Students are normally not admitted for the master’s degree only, but may find it worthwhile to add to their record en route to the PhD. Once these requirements have been fulfilled, the student should see the student affairs officer to obtain an Application for Candidacy for the master’s degree.

In order to earn the master's, students are required to pass the preliminary exam and must complete 24 units of upper division and graduate courses, including 12 units of “non-research” (lecture) courses.

ASTRON 201 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Fall 2010 An introduction to the basic physics of astronomy and astrophysics at the graduate level. Principles of energy transfer by radiation. Elements of classical and quantum theory of photon emission; bremsstrahlung, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation. Compton scattering, atomic, molecular and nuclear electromagnetic transitions. Collisional excitation of atoms, molecules and nuclei. Radiation Processes in Astronomy: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: Physics 105, 110A; 110B concurrently; open to advanced undergraduates with GPA of 3.70

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Astronomy/Graduate

Grading: Letter grade.

Instructors: Chiang, Quataert

Radiation Processes in Astronomy: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 Principles of gas dynamics, self-gravitating fluids, magnetohydrodynamics and elementary kinetic theory. Aspects of convection, fluid oscillations, linear instabilities, spiral density waves, shock waves, turbulence, accretion disks, stellar winds, and jets. Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics: Read More [+]

Instructors: Chiang, Kasen, Ma, Quataert, White

Also listed as: PHYSICS C202

Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 203 Astrophysical Techniques 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2018 Introduction to the flow of astronomical signals through telescope optics and into detectors; subsequent calibration, deconvolution of instrumental artifacts, and analysis. A broad wavelength approach is maintained with focus on shared fundamental concepts. Students "adopt a wavelength band" for assignments and presentations. Analysis and simulation of astronomical signals, noise, and errors. Astrophysical Techniques: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 201 and 290A; 290B must be taken concurrently

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of laboratory per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week and frequent laboratory work plus observatory visits.

Instructor: Graham

Astrophysical Techniques: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 204 Numerical Techniques in Astronomy 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2008 Methods of data analysis, model fitting, and data display, all oriented towards the detailed analysis of astronomical observation data and/or numerical results from simulations. Specific topics include probability density functions, error propagation, maximum likelihood, least squares, data and function fitting, Fourier transforms, wavelets, principal components analysis, color images. The software language used is the Interactive Data Language (IDL). Numerical Techniques in Astronomy: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Mathematics 54

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

Instructor: Heiles

Numerical Techniques in Astronomy: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C207 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 An introduction to the basic physics of astronomy and astrophysics at the graduate level. Principles of energy transfer by radiation. Elements of classical and quantum theory of photon emission; bremsstrahlung, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation. Compton scattering, atomic, molecular and nuclear electromagnetic transitions. Collisional excitation of atoms, molecules and nuclei. Radiation Processes in Astronomy: Read More [+]

Instructors: Chiang, Kasen, Quataert

Also listed as: PHYSICS C207

ASTRON 218 Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2021, Fall 2019 A basic course. Structure and kinematics of the galaxy; stellar population concepts; dynamics of stellar systems with and without encounters. Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure: Read More [+]

Instructors: Blitz, Davis, Graham

Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2021, Fall 2016 A survey of physical cosmology - the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics include the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, thermal history and big bang nucleosynthesis, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and large scale structure, the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave radiation, inflation in the early universe, tests of cosmological models, and current research areas. The course complements the material of Astronomy 218. Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: Read More [+]

Instructors: Holzapfel, Lee, Ma, Seljak, White

Also listed as: PHYSICS C228

Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C249 Solar System Astrophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017 The physical foundations of planetary sciences. Topics include planetary interiors and surfaces, planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres, and smaller bodies in our solar system. The physical processes at work are developed in some detail, and an evolutionary picture for our solar system, and each class of objects, is developed. Some discussion of other (potential) planetary systems is also included. Solar System Astrophysics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 149, 169, C160A or consent of instructor

Instructors: Chiang, de Pater

Also listed as: EPS C249

Solar System Astrophysics: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 250 Special Topics in Astrophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Fall 2021 Topics will vary from semester to semester. See department for announcements. Special Topics in Astrophysics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.

Special Topics in Astrophysics: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 252 Stellar Structure and Evolution 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2020, Fall 2017 Equations of stellar structure, radiative transfer and convection, thermonuclear reactions and stellar energy generations; stellar models, degenerate configurations, evolutionary sequences, supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, nucleosynthesis. Stellar Structure and Evolution: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Physics 110A-110B, 112, 137A-137B

Instructor: Filippenko

Stellar Structure and Evolution: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C254 High Energy Astrophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2018 Basic physics of high energy radiation processes in an astrophysics environment. Cosmic ray production and propagation. Applications selected from pulsars, x-ray sources, supernovae, interstellar medium, extragalactic radio sources, quasars, and big-bang cosmologies. High Energy Astrophysics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor. 202 recommended

Instructors: Boggs, Quataert

Formerly known as: Physics C254, Astronomy C254

Also listed as: PHYSICS C254

High Energy Astrophysics: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 255 Computational Methods in Theoretical Astrophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2018, Spring 2016 A broad in-depth survey of state-of-the-art numerical approaches to astrophysical self-gravitational gas dynamics with application to large scale simulation of coupled non-linear astrophysical flows. Finite-difference approaches for Lagrangian and Eulerian astrophysical hydrodynamics and coupled radiation-hydrodynamics. N-body gravitation techniques including direct N-body, P-M, P3M, and hierarchical Tree. Particle gas dynamics methods such as smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH), adaptive SPH and unification of SPH, and gravity tree hierarchies (TREE-SPH). Advanced techniques such as higher order Godunov finite difference methods with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). Applications of these approaches in three broad areas: cosmology, high energy astrophysics, and star formation and the interstellar medium. Computational Methods in Theoretical Astrophysics: Read More [+]

Instructor: Klein

Computational Methods in Theoretical Astrophysics: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 256 Astronomy Data Science Laboratory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Spring 2021 This course features 3 data-centric laboratory experiments that draw on a variety of tools used by professional astronomers. PhD students will learn to procure and clean data (drawn from a variety of world-class astronomical facilities), assess the fidelity/quality of data, build and apply models to describe data, learn statistical and computational techniques to analyze data (e.g., Bayesian inference, machine learning, parallel computing), and effectively communicate data and scientific results. There is a heavy emphasis on software development in the Python language, statistical techniques, and high-quality communication (e.g., written reports, oral presentations, and data visualization). Astronomy Data Science Laboratory: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: This class assumes that you have completed introductory astrophysical instruction (at the Astro 7A and 7B level) as well as knowledge of calculus (e.g. similar to Math 53) and linear algebra (e.g., similar to Math 54 or Physics 89).You should have proficiency or fluency in the Python programming language. This class heavily emphasizes software development, and is not the place to learn Python for the first time

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of laboratory per week

Additional Format: Three hours of laboratory per week.

Instructor: Bloom

Astronomy Data Science Laboratory: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C285 Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 The study of theoretical astrophysics. Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week

Additional Format: One hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.

Instructor: Quataert

Also listed as: PHYSICS C285

Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 290A Introduction to Current Research 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019 Professional Skills and Directed Reading (a.k.a. "how to be a professional astronomer") Introduction to Current Research: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Two hours of seminar per week.

Instructor: Lu

Introduction to Current Research: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 290B Introduction to Current Research 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018 Continuation of 290A. Study of a research topic with an individual staff member. Introduction to Current Research: Read More [+]

Instructor: de Pater

ASTRON C290C Cosmology 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Cosmology: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Two hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

Instructors: White, Cohn

Formerly known as: Physics C290C, Astronomy C290C

Also listed as: PHYSICS C290C

Cosmology: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 292 Seminar 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 In addition to the weekly colloquium, the Department offers seminars in advanced topics, several of which are announced at the beginning of each semester. A maximum of 5 units may be taken per semester with a limitation of 2 in any one section. Seminar: Read More [+]

Seminar: Read Less [-]

ASTRON C292 Planetary Science Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 The departments of Astronomy and Earth and Planetary Science offer a joint research seminar in advanced topics in planetary science, featuring speakers drawn from graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars. Topics will span planetary interiors; surface morphology; atmospheres; dynamics; planet formation; and astrobiology. Speakers will vary from semester to semester. Meetings will be held once a week for 1 hour each, and the schedule of speakers will be determined on the first day of class. To pass the class, participants will be required to give a 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature. Planetary Science Seminar: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-1 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Participants will be required to give at least one 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature

Also listed as: EPS C292

Planetary Science Seminar: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 298 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019 Tutorial for groups of two or three students. Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Tutorial.

Directed Group Study: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 299 Advanced Study and Research 2 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Advanced Study and Research: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-12 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Two to Twelve hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.

Advanced Study and Research: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 301 Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2004, Fall 2003, Fall 2002 Open to a limited number of highly qualified undergraduate students interested in astronomy teaching at the college level. Students will participate in a seminar on educational methods and engage in tutorial or laboratory teaching under supervision of a faculty member. Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: An elementary astronomy course and consent of instructor

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 units.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture and 3-6 hours of laboratory per week

Additional Format: One hour of Lecture and Three to Six hours of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.

Subject/Course Level: Astronomy/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers

Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.

Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction: Read Less [-]

ASTRON 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013 Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. (and other doctoral degrees). May not be used for unit or residence requirement for the doctoral degree. Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-8 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: One to Eight hour of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.

Subject/Course Level: Astronomy/Graduate examination preparation

Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read Less [-]

Contact Information

Department of astronomy.

501 Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-642-5275

Fax: 510-642-3411

Department Chair

Joshua Bloom

[email protected]

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Yasasha Ridel

501D Campbell Hall

[email protected]

Department Manager

501E Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-643-5040

[email protected]

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Astrophysics, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Hardware, Instrumentation, NASA, Planets, Software, Space, approved for STEM-OPT extension, astronomy, cosmology, stars, universe

Work with world-class faculty, including theorists, observers and instrumentalists, on NASA- and NSF-funded projects to discover new planets, trace the evolution of stars and galaxies, explore the origin and development of the universe, build spaceflight hardware and design instruments for telescopes and satellites.

The PhD program in astrophysics develops creative scholarship in students and prepares them for professional careers in astrophysics, astronomy or related fields.

Students in this program take graduate-level courses in stars and interstellar media, galaxies and cosmology; obtain quantitative skills through analysis and modelling; may have observing opportunities through regional and international telescope observatories; and conduct independent, fundamental astrophysical research. Graduate students work closely with a research advisor on a wide range of topics including theoretical physics, cosmology, galaxy dynamics, stellar evolution, exoplanets, and the development and building of instrumentation.

Graduate students in astrophysics become leaders in observational and theoretical research. They participate in NASA- and NSF-funded space missions and study topics such as how stars are born and die, how galaxies interact and evolve, and how the universe changed as it developed from its earliest beginnings.

The program's world-class faculty have research expertise across the full breadth of astrophysics including the solar system, stars and galaxies from the Milky Way and the most distant galaxies in the universe. Current ASU research applies both computational and observational approaches to the exploration of a range of topics such as fundamental cosmology and whether there is life on exoplanets.

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

• College/school: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)

Electives or Research (53 credit hours)

Other Requirements: Astrophysics Sequence (9 credit hours) AST 521 Stars and Interstellar Medium I (3) AST 522 Stars and Interstellar Medium II (3) AST 591 Seminar: Astrophysics (2) SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)

Other Requirements: Galaxies and Cosmology Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3) AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3) AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3)

Other Requirements: Exoplanets and Planetary Science Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 598 Topic: Origins of Solar Systems (3) AST 598 Topic: Exploring Exoplanets (3) SES 598 Topic: Water in the Solar System (3)

Other Requirements: Instrumentation and Techniques Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 552 Astronomical Instrumentation and Data Analysis (3) SES 598 Topic: An Introduction to Astro-statistics (3) SES 598 Topic: Spectroscopy for Astrophysics (3) SES 598 Topic: Introductory Radio Astronomy (3)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SES 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree.

Substitutions for Other Requirement courses may be made per department approval.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admissions application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Professionals with expertise in astrophysics are in high demand across all sectors and industries, including remote sensing, data science, instrument building, computational science, defense industries and scientific research. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond astrophysics. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data related to the physics, chemistry and structure of the universe and exoplanetary systems are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies to explore beyond the Earth and solar system.

A doctoral degree in astrophysics is required for some careers in post-secondary education and research.

Career examples include:

• astrophysics professor
• data scientist
• instrument builder
• project manager
• research astronomer
• telescope operator

School of Earth and Space Exploration | ISTB4 795 [email protected] 480-965-5081

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Harvard University PhD in Astrophysics

Astrophysics is a concentration offered under the astronomy and astrophysics major at Harvard University. We’ve gathered data and other essential information about the doctor’s degree program in astrophysical sciences, such as diversity of students, how many students graduated in recent times, and more.

You can jump to any section of this page using the links below:

• Graduate Cost
• Online Learning
• Student Diversity
• Related Majors

How Much Does a Doctorate in Astrophysical Sciences from Harvard Cost?

Harvard graduate tuition and fees.

Part-time graduates at Harvard paid an average of $1,545 per credit hour in 2019-2020. This tuition was the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. The following table shows the average full-time tuition and fees for graduate student.

Does Harvard Offer an Online PhD in Astrophysical Sciences?

Online degrees for the Harvard astrophysical sciences doctor’s degree program are not available at this time. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the Harvard Online Learning page.

Harvard Doctorate Student Diversity for Astrophysical Sciences

Male-to-female ratio.

Of the students who received their doctor’s degree in astrophysical sciences in 2019-2020, all of them were women.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

All of the astrophysical sciences doctor’s degree recipients at Harvard in 2019-2020 were awarded to racial-ethnic minorities*.

Majors Related to a PhD in Astrophysical Sciences From Harvard

You may also be interested in one of these majors related to astrophysics.

View All Astrophysics Related Majors >

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

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PhD in Physics: Astrophysics

Program requirements and policies.

• Graduate TA should register on SIS for PHY 405; Graduate RA should register on SIS for PHY 406.
• Students who are working on a thesis or dissertation project for their doctoral degree should also register for PHY 502 FT (Doctoral Degree Continuation) in each semester.

Required Degree

Completion of all the requirements for the MS in Physics: Astrophysics

Demonstrated proficiency in five core fields

• Classical mechanics
• Classical electromagnetism
• Statistical mechanics
• Quantum mechanics

Students can demonstrate proficiency through:

• An average combined final grade of A- or better in AST 121: Galactic Astronomy and AST 122: Extragalactic Astronomy meets the proficiency requirements for astronomy.
• A final grade of A- or better in PHY 131: Advanced Classical Mechanics meets the proficiency requirement for classical mechanics.
• A final grade of A- or better in PHY 145: Classical Electromagnetic Theory I meets the proficiency requirement for classical electromagnetism.
• A final grade of A- or better in PHY 153: Statistical Mechanics meets the proficiency requirement for statistical mechanics.
• A final grade of A- or better in PHY 163: Quantum Theory I meets the proficiency requirement for quantum mechanics.
• An average combined final grade of A- or better in PHY 131: Classical Mechanics and PHY 145: Classical electromagnetic Theory I meets the proficiency requirements for both classical mechanics and classical electromagnetism.
• An average combined final grade of A- or better in PHY 153: Statistical Mechanics and PHY 163: Quantum Theory I meets the proficiency requirements for both statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics.
• Passing a written qualifying exam in the subject(s).

Proficiency Assessment Policy

Oral qualifying examination

By the end of the third year, the student must complete an oral qualifying examination in his/her chosen specialized field.

By the end of the third year the student must take an oral qualifying examination in his/her chosen specialized field. The purpose of the oral qualifying examination is threefold:

• to provide the student with an opportunity to apply his/her fundamental knowledge of physics to a specific topic in his/her field of interest;
• to evaluate the student's ability to carry that skill forward into his/her dissertation research, and
• to provide practice in the presentation of scientific material.

The topic should be selected by the student in consultation with his/her research advisor, in order best to advance that student's progress. It could be a review of research relevant to the student's intended research project, a proposal for a possible research topic, or another topic in the general area of the student's research, but not directly related to that research. It should be sufficiently well defined that the student can achieve substantial mastery and depth of understanding in a period of 4-6 weeks. In general, depth is more important than breadth.

The student shall prepare and deliver a public presentation of 30-45 minutes duration, with the expectation that during that period the audience and guidance committee will freely ask questions. The form of the presentation will be determined by the student's advisor and guidance committee, but regardless of the format, the student must be prepared to depart from the prepared material to answer questions.

Following the presentation and an open question period, the audience will be asked to leave, and the student's guidance committee will pose additional questions. While some questions will be directly related to the topic of the presentation, others will probe fundamental physics underlying or related to the topic. The student's ability to respond appropriately, exhibiting both understanding of the relevant physics and the ability to apply it to the topic at hand, is at least as important as the prepared presentation.

While the primary function of the examination is educational rather than evaluative, if the guidance committee does not find the student's performance to be satisfactory, it may:

• Fail the student, resulting in his/her administrative withdrawal from the doctoral program;
• Require the student to submit to another oral examination covering the same or different material;
• Require other remedial work, which may include preparing and presenting a written or oral explanation of some topic, or such other steps as the committee deems appropriate.

In cases (2) and (3), the requirement must be completed successfully within two months after the original examination, but no later than the beginning of the student's fourth year. In no case will the student receive a third opportunity to fulfill the requirement.

Independent research

After satisfactory performance on the oral qualifying exam, the candidate undertakes a program of independent research under the guidance of their research advisor, culminating in the preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation. Students must register for one credit of PHY 0297: Graduate Research and one credit of PHY 0298: Graduate Research in their final two semesters of the program.

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Ph.D. in Astrophysics Degree Requirements

Graduate students are also subject to all regulations imposed by the Graduate School found in the Bulletin of the Graduate School and/or on the Graduate School website . The regulations and requirements of the astrophysics Ph.D. degree program are set forth in the Astrophysics Ph.D. Requirements Guide .

Astrophysics Degree Requirements

Completion of the Ph.D. requires:

1. Completion of 28 hours of formal course work including:

• Five core courses covering the foundations of astrophysics totaling 16 credit hours
• Additional graduate-level courses to make a total of 12 credit hours in any subject relevant to the student’s overall program of graduate study and research
• Earning a grade of B or higher in each course counted towards these 28 hours

2. Successfully passing the Qualifying Examination to become a doctoral candidate

3. Completion of a sufficient number of research credit hours to meet the total of 72 hours of credit requirement of the Graduate School

See the requirements guide  for full details.

Master’s Degree Requirements

The Department of Physics & Astronomy does not admit students seeking a terminal master’s degree, but one can be earned en route to the Ph.D.

Non-Thesis Option  (for Ph.D. candidates who desire to earn a master’s degree en route)

• Earn a B average in 42 credit hours of graduate study, four hours of which must be in Physics 8999 or Physics 9999
• Pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
• Submit a brief report on one’s research experience

Thesis Option  (an alternative for students who decide not to complete the Ph.D. program)

• Complete, and earn a B average or better in, at least 24 credit hours of formal coursework, of which at least six hours must be in a minor field or fields related to the major, and of which at least 9 hours must be coursework above the 8000 level
• Complete a research project approved by the department
• Submit a thesis on this work, which must be accepted

The degree requires one academic year or its equivalent of residence at Vanderbilt University.

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Graduate Studies

The University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy has a robust and active program that has around 180 graduate students. Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisors to support the School's teaching and research projects, including collaborations with CERN, LIGO, and the Brookhaven National Laboratory, to name a few.

Virtually all of our Graduate students are funded through fellowships, teaching assistant, and research assistant positions.

Astrophysics

Director of Graduate Studies for Physics: Jorge Vinals email

Director of Graduate Studies for Astrophysics: email

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Department of Astronomy

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Application forms for admission and financial aid may be obtained from the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

Degree(s) offered: PhD

GRE General--Not accepted* GRE Physics Subject--Optional Program Description .

This program does not admit applicants for the AM degree; only those applying to the PhD are considered for admission, although the program may award the AM degree incidentally to PhD candidates.

Applicants to the Department of Astronomy are welcome to submit in addition to the Abstract of Courses, a list of their four most advanced courses in astronomy or physics and their two most advanced courses in mathematics where indicated on the application.  Note: BAchelor's Degree required. Having no courses in astronomy does NOT disqualify your application from consideration.  

The Astronomy Department at Harvard University does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, cultural background or tradition, biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical ability, or any other protected classification.

Department Administrator  Harvard University Department of Astronomy  60 Garden Street, MS 43 Cambridge, MA 02138  Telephone 617-495-3753 [email protected]

Fee Waivers

Any questions regarding fee waiver must be sent directly to  [email protected].

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Astrophysics

Undergraduate Program

The science of astrophysics involves the study of matter and radiation in the universe as understood through the laws of physics. Students are introduced to a broad range of phenomena through a program of both observational and theoretical courses. This program builds from a foundation of modern physics to a general account of the known contents of the universe. Astrophysics offers joint concentrations with other departments.

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PhD in Astronomy

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Course closed:

Astronomy is no longer accepting new applications.

The Institute of Astronomy offers the opportunity to study for the PhD degree, for which the normal duration of study is three years. The format is almost entirely research-based and while projects may be exclusively theoretical or observational, many combine aspects of both. Many projects incorporate aspects of Data Science including machine learning and artificial intelligence.

It is normal for students to attend several relevant international conferences during their three years of study, often presenting their own research work. Some students, working on observational research projects, undertake observing trip(s) to major international observatories.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, institute of astronomy, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Physics MPhil
• Planetary Science and Life in the Universe MPhil
• Astronomy MPhil
• Physics PhD
• Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics PhD

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Astronomy & Astrophysics

Contains Stem Majors

In 2021, the locations with the highest concentration of Astronomy & Astrophysics degree recipients are Santa Cruz, CA , Boulder, CO , and Berkeley, CA . In 2021, the locations with a relatively high number of Astronomy & Astrophysics degree recipients are Princeton, NJ , Walla Walla, WA , and Melbourne, FL . The most common degree awarded to students studying Astronomy & Astrophysics is a bachelors degree.

learning Institutions

Information about the types of higher education institutions that grant degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics and the types of students that study this field. University of California-Santa Cruz awards the most degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics in the US, but Whitman College and California Institute of Technology have the highest percentage of degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Tuition costs for Astronomy & Astrophysics majors are, on average, $10,240 for in-state public colleges, and $55,856 for out of state private colleges.

The most common sector, by number of institutions, that offers Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above institutions (64 total). The most common sector, by number of degrees awarded, is Public, 4-year or above (928 completions).

Institutions

• University of California-Santa Cruz
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of California-Berkeley

The most common sector, by number of degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics, is Public, 4-year or above (928 completions in 2021).

The following chart shows the share of universities that offer Astronomy & Astrophysics programs, by the total number of completions, colored and grouped by their sector.

Tuition Costs for Common Institutions

University of California-Santa Cruz has the most Astronomy & Astrophysics degree recipients, with 76 degrees awarded in 2021.

The following bar chart shows the state tuition for the top 5 institutions with the most degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Specialized Colleges

• Whitman College 5.51%
• California Institute of Technology 5.31%
• Lycoming College 2.31%

Out of all institutions that offer Astronomy & Astrophysics programs and have at least 5 graduates in those programs, Whitman College has the highest percentage of degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics, with 5.51%.

Degrees Awarded by County

• Santa Cruz County, CA
• Boulder County, CO
• Los Angeles County, CA

This map shows the counties in the United States colored by the highest number of degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics by year.

Growth in Awarded Degrees

• Douglas County, KS
• Monterey County, CA
• Walla Walla County, WA

This map shows the counties in the United States colored by the highest growth in degrees awarded for Astronomy & Astrophysics.

briefcase Employment

Information on the businesses and industries that employ Physical Sciences graduates and on wages and locations for those in the field.

The average salary for Physical Sciences majors is $117,432 and the most common occupations are Postsecondary teachers , Physicians , and Other Physical Scientists .

The industry that employs the most Physical Sciences majors is Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges , though the highest paying industry, by average wage, is Offices of physicians .

Yearly Income for Common Jobs

This chart shows the average annual salaries of the most common occupations for Physical Sciences majors.

Highest Paying Locations

• Brentwood & Oakley Cities PUMA, CA
• Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Kossuth, Hancock, Winnebago, Mitchell & Worth Counties PUMA, IA
• Deerfield, Pompano Beach (North) & Lighthouse Point Cities PUMA, FL

This map shows the public use micro areas (PUMAs) in the United States colored by the average salary of Physical Sciences majors.

Note that the census collects information tied to where people live, not where they work. It is possible that Physical Sciences majors live and work in the same place, but it is also possible that they live and work in two different places.

Most Common

The most common occupations Physical Sciences majors, by number of employees, are Postsecondary teachers , Physicians , and Other Physical Scientists .

Most Specialized

Compared to other majors, there are an unusually high number of Physical Sciences majors working as Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers , Astronomers & physicists , and Atmospheric & space scientists .

Highest Paid

The highest paid occupations by median income for Physical Sciences majors are Surgeons , Physicians , and Derrick, rotary drill, & service unit operators, & roustabouts, oil, gas, & mining .

Occupations by Share

The number of Physical Sciences graduates in the workforce has been growing at a rate of 2.69%, from 1.12M in 2020 to 1.15M in 2021.

The largest single share of Physical Sciences graduates go on to work as Postsecondary teachers (8.05%). This chart shows the various jobs filled by those with a major in Physical Sciences by share of the total number of graduates.

The most common industries that employ Physical Sciences majors, by number of employees, are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges , General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals , and Elementary & secondary schools .

The highest paying industries of Physical Sciences majors, by average wage, are Offices of physicians , Internet publishing, broadcasting & web search portals , and Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments .

Industries by Share

The industry which employs the most Physical Sciences graduates by share is Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges , followed by General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals . This visualization shows the industries that hire those who major in Physical Sciences .

Specialty Locations

• Carr 2-Carr 111 PUMA, PR
• Carr 2 (Noroeste) PUMA, PR
• Carr 2-Carr 100 PUMA, PR

This map shows the public use micro areas (PUMAs) in the United States where there are a relatively high population of Physical Sciences majors.

geosearch Diversity

Demographic information for those who earn a degree in Physical Sciences in the United States.

The average age of a person in the workforce with a degree in Physical Sciences is 44.9.

The most common degree type these workers hold is a Bachelors Degree. Male employees are more likely to hold Physical Sciences degrees, and White students are the most common race/ethnicty group awarded degrees in Physical Sciences (800 students).

Workforce Age

This chart shows distribution of ages for employees with a degree in Physical Sciences . The most common ages of employees with this major are 30 and 31 years old, which represent 2.57% and 2.57% of the population, respectively.

Degrees Awarded

The most common degree types awarded to students graduating in Astronomy & Astrophysics are Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, and Research Doctorate.

Workforce Degrees

The most common degree types held by the working population in Physical Sciences are Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, and Doctorate degree.

Sex Imbalance for Common Institutions

This chart shows the granted degrees by sex at the 5 institutions that graduate the most students in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Race & Ethnicity by Degrees Awarded

• White 800 degrees awarded
• Non-resident Alien 175 degrees awarded
• Hispanic or Latino 161 degrees awarded

This chart shows the number of degrees awarded in Astronomy & Astrophysics for each race & ethnicity. White students earned the largest share of the degrees with this major.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

• White Male 378 degrees awarded
• White Female 226 degrees awarded
• Hispanic or Latino Male 67 degrees awarded

This chart illustrates the differences by sex for each race & ethnicity of Bachelors Degree recipients in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

White Male students, who earn most of the degrees in this field, are the most common combination of race/ethnicity and sex.

Global Diversity

• India 54,710 degree recipients
• China 53,447 degree recipients
• Korea 12,570 degree recipients
• Sri Lanka 4.67 times more than expected
• China 3.85 times more than expected
• USSR 3.78 times more than expected

There are a relatively high number of people that were born in Sri Lanka that hold Physical Sciences degrees (4.67 times more than expected), and the most common country of origin by total numbers for non-US students earning a degree in this field is India (54,710 degree recipients).

predictive-analysis Skills

Data on the critical and distinctive skills necessary for those working in the Astronomy & Astrophysics field from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Astronomy & Astrophysics majors need many skills, but most especially Reading Comprehension. The revealed comparative advantage (RCA) shows that Astronomy & Astrophysics majors need more than the average amount of Science, Programming, Technology Design, Mathematics, Operations Analysis, Management of Financial Resources, Learning Strategies, Writing, Active Learning, Management of Material Resources, Systems Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Systems Evaluation, Speaking, Operation Monitoring, Instructing, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Time Management, Active Listening, Persuasion, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, Service Orientation, Negotiation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Operation and Control, Equipment Selection, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, and Installation.

These two visualizations, one a radial chart and one a bar chart, show the same information, a rating of how necessary the following skills are for Astronomy & Astrophysics majors. Toggle between "value" and "RCA" to see the absolute rating of that skill (value) and the revealed comparative advantage (RCA), or how much greater or lesser that skill's rating is than the average. The longer the bar or the closer the line comes to the circumference of the circle, the more important that skill is. The importance of Science is very distinctive for majors, but the Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Mathematics, Active Learning, Science, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring, Time Management, Learning Strategies, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation, Instructing, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Coordination, Management of Personnel Resources, Service Orientation, Operations Analysis, Negotiation, Operation Monitoring, Management of Financial Resources, Quality Control Analysis, Management of Material Resources, Programming, Technology Design, Operation and Control, Troubleshooting, Equipment Selection, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, and Installation are the three most important skills for people in the field.

Radar Distribution

Keep exploring.

How much does an astrophysics degree cost?

Tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, personal expenses. At first, these combined costs may seem overwhelming. They don’t have to be. With some planning and the willingness to investigate different schools, scholarships, grants, and bursaries, the cost of attending college or university can be more manageable than you might think. As a starting point for your research, here are the typical tuition costs for an astrophysics degree.

56% above average compared to other degrees

78% above average compared to other degrees

58% above average compared to other degrees

What do astrophysics graduates earn?

Astrophysics students make an average of $ 89,886 per year after graduation. This is 35% above average compared to other undergraduate degrees.

23 % of astrophysics graduates are underpaid (those who make less than $ 40,000 per year.) This rate is high compared to other degrees across the country.

Top 88% of degrees

13% above average compared to other degrees

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