1. Introduction 3 1 Guiding Principles 4

6.2 Fall of the First Year

Astro 501 Fundamental Astronomy (3-credits)

Astro 502 Fundamental Astrophysics (3-credits)

Elective course (typically ASTRO 500-, PHYS 500- or 400-level, 3-credits)

Astro 589 Seminar in current research (1 credit), if offered

Astro 590 Colloquium (1 credit)

Astro 602 Supervised Experience in College Teaching (1-2 credits, specifically for T.A.s)

“Survival Skills” and Ethics Training Seminar, if offered (does not carry any credits and there is no formal registration)

ASTRO 501 and 502 constitute the “core curriculum” of our Graduate Program and, with rare exception, are required for all entering graduate students. Examples of elective classes are given in section 7.2 below. Students usually choose a 500-level physics class, although 400-level classes may be appropriate for students without a strong physics background. You can self-test yourself in physics using the Physics Dept Candidacy Exams. It is also possible to take graduate level courses in allied fields (like math, statistics, geosciences or engineering) as electives with advanced approval of your advisor and the Graduate Program Head.

If there is an ASTRO 589 Seminar in Current Research (1 credit) offered, first year students are encouraged to take the Seminar if they feel adequately prepared. The Seminars provide unique opportunities for enrichment, and take advantage of the particular expertise of a faculty member. Wednesday afternoon Colloquia are offered during all semesters, and the Distinguished Lectures are usually once a year. Attendance at these talks is strongly encouraged for all students in order to increase their breadth and exposure to fine scientists. Students may register for an ASTRO 590 credit during any of the first four semesters; students must attend the lectures during the semester they register for ASTRO 590, and are still strongly encouraged to attend these lectures any other times.

Entering students who are Research Assistants or Fellows have the option of registering for 1 credit of ASTRO 602 and attend the weekly ASTRO 602 training class even if they are not currently teaching. For the ASTRO 602 class, students will participate in weekly training and assessment sessions on teaching techniques (such students will be required to take ASTRO 602 later, if they have not take it in their first semester). Entering students who have Teaching Assistantships assigned to ASTRO 11 laboratory instruction must register for 2 credits of ASTRO 602, because they will be both attending the ASTRO 602 class AND teaching a section of undergraduate ASTRO 11. As ASTRO 11 TAs, graduate students get direct experience teaching laboratories as the instructor of record of their own class.

During this semester, students should meet with their advisors to plan your spring semester courses, discuss any difficulties that have arisen, and probe directions for the future. Coursework alone will not provide students with “everything they will ever need to know.” Reading on-line journal articles on the ADS and astro-ph; attending lunch talks, colloquia, research group meetings, and morning coffees; talking with faculty and other students about their research; and doing research yourself are essential in graduate school and throughout the rest of one’s career. These informal learning environments provide a general knowledge of how science is done, experience with good and bad talks, and a basis for a decision on a research topic and advisor. Formal courses in graduate school are, nevertheless, very important, as they are a way to learn many standard results in a systematic manner, and will introduce students to a variety of fields and faculty members. Be warned that graduate courses are not easy and often move at a rapid pace. The demands of coursework, research, and informal learning must be balanced with the need to broaden interests and knowledge; in astrophysics there is substantial overlap between disciplines, and students often change subfields during their careers.

During the fall or spring of the first year students must also go through the Scholarship And Research Integrity (SARI) training program. The exact schedule and details for this training program will be communicated to the students by the Associate Department Head for the graduate program.

6.3 Spring of the First Year

Early in the spring semester, students should begin to consider what area of research they would like to pursue in the summer and the Second Year Research Project. Students are generally supported in the summer by research supervisors on fixed term appointments. It is the students’ responsibility to knock on doors of potential research supervisors to find funding and a project that interests you. This project is not expected to continue through one’s graduate career; however, it often connects naturally to one’s Second Year Research Project. The multiple opportunities to pursue research (summer research, Second Year Research Project, and thesis research) should be looked upon as means to explore potential specialty areas.

Midway through the spring semester students also need to consider what academic program to pursue in the fall. Arrangements for financial support should also be made; many second year students continue as TAs, but some find support as Research Assistants. One’s academic advisor should be closely consulted on these matters. Most students will also complete their English Competency requirement during the first two semesters (section 5.2). International students who do not have sufficient English language fluency for teaching and other aspects of the graduate program should address their deficiency quickly during the first year.

Students interested in the Dual-Title Degree in Astrobilology should declare this officially to the Department by the middle of the spring semester of the first year and also apply formally for this program.