Department Of Astronomy

Other Information
http://www.astro.columbia.edu

Degree Programs: Full-Time: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Chair: David J. Helfand, Ph.D.
1020 Pupin
Tel: 212.854.2150

Director of Graduate Studies: Jacqueline Van Gorkom, Ph.D.
1314 Pupin
Tel: 212.854.6850


The Astronomy Department is a member of the MDM consortium, which operates 1.3 and 2.4m telescopes on Kitt Peak in Arizona, providing substantial observational capabilities for the department.

Research in astronomy and astrophysics is conducted in both the Department of Astronomy and the Department of Physics. Students in the Astronomy department routinely work with the faculty of both departments, which are located in the same building. A number of students also work on Ph.D. theses at the neighboring American Museum of Natural History whose faculty is closely affiliated with the department. The faculty excel in theory, observations and the development of new instrumentation, covering particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, as well as extragalactic, galactic and stellar astronomy.

Columbia’s Astrophysics Laboratory, a joint endeavor involving the Astronomy and Physics Departments, has extensive experience in the design and construction of new astronomical instruments for rocket, balloon and satellite, missions, as well as for ground-based telescopes. Facilities include laboratories and equipment for testing and assembling experiments, an electronics shop and a well-equipped and highly skilled instrument machine shop.

The Physics and Astronomy library contains over 47,000 volumes, including essentially all journals relevant to astronomy. The Astronomy department also has its own supplemental collections of reference books and journals. Every week, both Physics and Astronomy colloquia are given by invited speakers.

The Astrophysics Laboratory and Astronomy department maintain a large computing network. All offices have connections to these machines through a wideband network.. Columbia University is a member of the Cornell National Supercomputer Facility (CNSF); Columbia researchers have access to this over a fast network.

Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are considered important aspects of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include both teaching and research apprenticeship.

Graduate students are normally required to take a minimum of 30 points of their choosing from the Astronomy and Physics offerings, which include the five core courses and numerous special topics courses and seminars. Up to six points towards the total of 30 are awarded for on research projects.



Special Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

DEGREE:

Ph.D.

   

Deadline for Fall Admission

January 3*

Deadline for Spring Admission

no spring admission

Resume/CV

yes

Writing Sample

no

GRE General

yes

GRE Subject

Physics

Miscellaneous

none

An undergraduate major in physics, astronomy or a related field is required in addition to a solid background in physics and mathematics.

* An extension to February 1 may be granted with special permission of the Graduate School.