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Formally, the graduate PhD program involves courses, research, teaching, and passing three major exams (qual, general, and thesis defense). Typically, students take courses their first 2-3 years at U.W. while, at the same time, sampling research projects with various faculty. We offer a full set of graduate astronomy courses covering every major research area in astrophysics. The areas covered include planetary astronomy, stellar interiors and atmospheres, interstellar medium, galaxies, dynamics, cosmology, physical processes, observational astronomy, and a variety of special topics. Right from their first year our students are also encouraged to embark on faculty-supervised research programs so that they will make informed decisions about a thesis topic and a professional research career. Students must pass two examinations, the Qualifying Exam and the General Exam, before being admitted to PhD Candidacy. The Qual, which is a written exam covering general knowledge, must be passed by the end of the third year of matriculation. The General Exam is a 40-minute oral exam on a topic related to a student's proposed PhD research topic. Students embark on their PhD research program after passing the General Exam, typically in their third or fourth year at U.W. Most students complete their PhD thesis two to three years later. But there's much more to consider about our program. Ultimate professional success in any academic field requires more than taking courses and writing a great thesis. Every U.W. graduate builds a solid and broad framework for a career in research astrophysics on their way to the PhD. Integral to the program are: close collaboration with faculty, staff and peers; exposure to methods of posing important questions and structuring problems (both observational and theoretical); recognition within the international community, and writing papers and presenting talks. Most permanent positions in astronomy are found in institutions where teaching is either the bread or the butter of their mission. The competition for these positions is fierce. Consequently, our graduate students develop teaching skills through service as teaching assistants for at least one year (required), taking a Department-taught course in learning methods and presentation techniques (also required), and engaging in education-related seminars in the Department and elsewhere on campus (optional and encouraged). A master's degree can be obtained during the course of the Ph.D. program. Students are eligible to receive a master's degree after adequate performance on the Qualifying Exam and when they have met the Graduate School requirements. |
