PhD Astronomy at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme overview

The goal of the graduate program is to prepare capable and creative astronomers for careers in research and education. The granting of the PhD degree indicates that the recipient has a mastery of the knowledge and techniques of modern astrophysics. A PhD candidate is expected to be both knowledgeable of problems at the frontiers of astrophysical research and able to carry out independent forefront research in a specialized area.

Department: Astronomy | Duration: 51 credits | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (deadline December 3) | Location: Madison, WI, United States

What you will study

The degree requires a minimum of 51 credits. Courses listed in the requirements include ASTRON 500 Techniques of Modern Observational Astrophysics; ASTRON 700 Basic Astrophysics I; ASTRON 702 Basic Astrophysics II; ASTRON 715 Stellar Interiors and Evolution; ASTRON 720 The Interstellar Medium I: Basic Processes; ASTRON 730 Galaxies.

Career pathways

The goal of the graduate program is to prepare capable and creative astronomers for careers in research and education. Each student will have both a graduate student mentor and a set of three faculty mentors, called a “Committee of Three” (or Co3 for short).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required; Letters of Recommendation Required 3. To enter as a graduate student, an applicant must have undergraduate preparation that includes at least three years of college physics and mathematics through differential equations. Applicants are judged on the basis of previous academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and research experience. Admission is competitive and is for the fall only. Applicants for admission must submit the following via the Graduate School online application: Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate work Statement on reasons for graduate study in astronomy Three letters of recommendation from people well acquainted with past academic work International students must prove English proficiency. Refer to the Graduate School Requirements page for more information.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms (spring, summer or fall) vary by programme and are listed on each programme's Graduate Guide admissions tab. An applicant may have active applications in only one entry term at a time.

Application deadlines vary by programme and are listed on the programme's Graduate Guide admissions tab. Applications are submitted through the Graduate School application portal. The application fee is $75 US, non-refundable, payable by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or debit/ATM; international applicants pay an extra $6 processing fee. Up to three programmes in the same entry term can be applied to for one application fee.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/

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