Introduction

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

Graduate students in the Department of Astronomy at Columbia are considered by the faculty to be apprentice scientists. As such, their main responsibility is to learn as much as possible of the subject, the techniques, the lore, and the culture of astronomy through active participation in the life of the Department – in classes as both teachers and learners, in colloquia as active participants with visitors, and in all aspects of the research enterprise. Like good scientists, they should think about research every day; the puzzles they are working on should always be occupying at least a small corner of their minds. They should talk about the science they are doing and listen to what others are doing, be curious about fields outside of their own and keep up to date in the literature. Most of all, they should enjoy this life as a scientist.

Additional information

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