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case western reserve university

ASTRONOMY
 
 

Joint Astronomy / Physics Doctorate Program


The Case Departments of Astronomy and Physics are offering a joint Ph.D. program which will be particularly useful for students whose interests overlap those of the research groups in Physics and in Astronomy. Coursework is done in both departments, leading to a degree either in Physics or in Astronomy.

The course requirements for the joint program are:
  • Astronomy Coursework: Two of the following
    • Stellar Physics (ASTR 411)
    • The Local Universe (ASTR 423)
    • Cosmology and the Structure of the Universe (ASTR 428)
  • Physics Coursework: Two of the following
    • Physics of Condensed Matter (PHYS 441)
    • Standard Model (PHYS 451)
    • General Relativity (PHYS 465)
    • Modern Cosmology (PHYS 436) or Cosmology (PHYS 566)
    • Imaging (PHYS 431)
    • Quantum Electronics (PHYS 427)
  • Students must also take one of
    • Graduate Physics Laboratory (PHYS 472)
    • Astronomical Techniques (ASTR 406)
  • and one additional 400/500 level Astronomy or Physics course (excluding PHYS 413/414/423/481/482)


Notes
  • The university requires an additional 18 hours of dissertation research (ASTR 701 or PHYS 701), and a minimum of 36 total hours of coursework (18 for students entering with a master's degree).

  • Scientific colloquia are an important part of the academic learning environment for students and faculty alike, and it is expected that students in the Joint Program will attend colloquia in both departments. Students should register for zero credit hours of PHYS 666 for their first two years, which involves attending colloquiua. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the various special seminars sponsored by both departments.

  • Students in the Joint Program will choose an advisor and an area of emphasis based in either the Physics or Astronomy departments. We encourage our students to this as quickly as possible; ideally at the end of their first year, but no later than the end of their second year. Faculty from either Physics or Astronomy may act as a dissertation supervisor.

  • By the end of their second year, students must pass the written qualifying exam in their department of emphasis. Depending on their choice of home department, students must also pass either the Topical Oral Presentation (Physics) or Oral Thesis Presentation (Astronomy).

  • Students taking the Physics written qualifying exam are allowed one "free" attempt at the qualifying exam, which may either take place on matriculation or at the end of the first year. Thereafter, the student may make two "official" attempts at the exam.