Astronomy
J.W. Gibbs Laboratories, 432.3000
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair
Charles Bailyn
Director of Graduate Studies
Sarbani Basu (274 JWG, 432.3028, sarbani.basu@yale.edu)
Professors
Charles Bailyn, Charles Baltay (Physics), Pierre Demarque (Emeritus), Jeffrey Kenney, Richard Larson, Peter Parker (Physics), Sabatino Sofia, Megan Urry (Physics), William van Altena, Robert Zinn
Associate Professor
Paolo Coppi
Assistant Professors
Sarbani Basu, Priya Natarajan
Fields of Study
Fields include observational and theoretical galactic astronomy, solar and stellar astrophysics, astrometry, extragalactic astronomy, radio astronomy, high-energy astrophysics, and cosmology.
Special Admissions Requirements
Applicants should have a strong undergraduate preparation in physics and mathematics. Although some formal training in astronomy is useful, it is by no means required for admission. Applicants should take the GRE Subject Test in Physics.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
A typical program of study includes twelve courses during the first four terms, of which at least four must be in astronomy. At least two courses (and no more than four) must be research credits, each earned by working in close collaboration with a faculty member. The choice of the remaining courses depends on the candidate's interests and background. Students are encouraged to take graduate courses in physics or other related fields. No individual course is required, but students normally take the core courses (Stellar Populations, Stellar Astrophysics, Interstellar Matter and Star Formation, Stellar Dynamics, Galaxies, Cosmology), which provide a basic preparation in astronomy, and additional courses related to their research interests. On an irregular basis, special topic courses and seminars are offered, which provide the opportunity to study some fields in greater depth than is possible in the standard courses. To achieve both breadth and depth in their education, students are encouraged to take a few courses or seminars beyond their second year of study. During the course of their first year of graduate studies, students who have had little or no previous training in astronomy must demonstrate in an examination their knowledge of general astronomy at the undergraduate level. There is no foreign-language requirement. An oral and written comprehensive examination, normally taken at the end of the fourth term of graduate work, tests the student's familiarity with the entire field of astronomy and related branches of physics and mathematics. Satisfactory performance in this examination, an acceptable record in course and research work, and an approved dissertation prospectus are required for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation should present the results of an original and thorough investigation, worthy of publication. Most important, it should reflect the candidate's capacity for independent research. An oral dissertation defense is required.
Teaching experience is an integral part of graduate education in astronomy. All students will serve as teaching fellows and complete a total of 9 TF units. Both the levels of teaching assignments and the scheduling of teaching are flexible. By the end of the third term, however, most students will have completed 6 TF units. The additional 3 TF units will normally be carried out with a different professor than the earlier position to provide broader teaching experience.
Honors Requirement
Students must meet the Graduate School's Honors requirement by the end of the fourth term of full-time study.
Master's Degree
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements.
M.S. (en route to the Ph.D.). Upon application, the department will recommend for the award of the M.S. degree any student who has satisfactorily completed the first year of the program leading to the Ph.D. degree. The department requires, in addition, that at least one of the courses taken during the year be a research course.
Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Astronomy, Yale University, PO Box 208101, New Haven CT 06520-8101.
Courses
ASTR 510bu, Stellar Populations. Robert Zinn.
3 HTBA
The stellar population of our galaxy and the galaxies of the local group. The properties of stars and star clusters, stellar evolution, and the structure and evolution of our galaxy.
[ASTR 518au, Stellar Dynamics.]
ASTR 520au, Computational Methods for Astrophysics. Paolo Coppi. 3 HTBA
The analytic and numerical/computational tools necessary for effective research in astronomy and related disciplines. Topics include numerical solutions to differential equations, spectral methods, and Monte Carlo simulations. Applications are made to common astrophysical problems including fluids and N-body simulations.
ASTR 530au, Galaxies. Jeffrey Kenney. TTh 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
The structure, contents, dynamics, and evolution of galaxies. The properties and evolution of active galactic nuclei.
ASTR 540au, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics. Sarbani Basu. MW 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
Applications to astrophysics of the theory of radiation fields. Specific examples from stellar physics, stellar atmospheres, the interstellar medium, and high-energy astrophysics.
ASTR 550bu, Stellar Astrophysics. Sarbani Basu. MW 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
An introduction to the physics of stellar atmospheres and interiors. The basic equations of stellar structure, nuclear processes, stellar evolution, white dwarfs, and neutron stars.
ASTR 555au, Observational Techniques. William van Altena. MW 1–2.15
The design and use of optical telescopes, cameras, spectrographs, and detectors to make astronomical observations. The reduction and analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations.
[ASTR 560bu, Interstellar Matter and Star Formation.]
ASTR 570bu, High-Energy Astrophysics. Charles Bailyn. 3 HTBA
A survey of current topics in high-energy astrophysics, including accreting black holes, black holes and neutron stars, relativistic jets, gamma-ray bursts, and ultra-high energy cosmic rays. The basic physical processes underlying the observed high-energy emission are also covered. Also PHYS 570bu.
ASTR 575b, Topics in Astrometry. William van Altena.
Dramatic improvements made in the technologies of measurement and computation over the past few years have made it possible to use astrometric techniques to investigate current problems in astronomy and astrophysics. In this seminar we develop the astrometric techniques required to study the cosmological distance scale, the spatial and kinematic structure of our galaxy, and the stellar mass-luminosity relation.
ASTR 580a or b, Research.
By arrangement with faculty.
[ASTR 600, Cosmology.]
ASTR 705b, Research Seminar in Stellar Population. Robert Zinn.
The techniques and results of investigating the stellar populations of Local Group Galaxies.
ASTR 710a or b, Professional Seminar. Faculty.
A seminar covering science and professional issues in astronomy.
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