Course and examination expectations

This is a reference page for Graduate student information.

THIS PAGE IS NOT OFFICIAL DEPARTMENTAL POLICY. IT MERELY REPRESENTS THE PEER-ADVICE PROVIDED BY FELLOW STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

What the handbook says

There are no formal course requirements for the PhD. However, for virtually all students, a Master of Science Degree is the first step along the road to the doctorate. The MS in Astronomy at Columbia requires 30 points of graduate credit. Six of these points are usually for research conducted as part of the first- and second-year projects and are awarded for the annual completion of Research Seminar (see above). Fifteen points must be earned in the five core courses:

• 6001 Radiative Processes
• 6002 The Interstellar and Intergalactic Media
• 6003 Stellar and Galactic Dynamics
• 6004 Stellar Structure and Evolution
• 6005 Physical Cosmology

The remaining nine points can be earned in other Astronomy graduate courses, in seminars, and/or in courses from cognate departments in the University (e.g., Physics, Mathematics, Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, etc.) Other regularly offered Astronomy courses include

• 8001 Observational Astronomy
• 8002 Extragalactic Astronomy
• 8200 Special Topics Seminar

The M.Phil degree is conferred on students who have completed the M.S. degree, and have also passed all requirements for PhD candidacy excepting the dissertation. This requires successful completion of the first- and second-year research projects and the five required core courses, as well as presentation and defense of an acceptable dissertation proposal. The degree is normally awarded after the third year in residence; students holding advanced standing (e.g., those entering with a Masters degree) may obtain the M.Phil earlier.

Additional information

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