The PhD program in Astronomy prepares students to engage in research at the forefront of their field and to begin a position in academia or research. The program mainly consists of courses in astronomy and original research conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
Students normally enter this program with an undergraduate degree in astronomy, physics, or another physical science. During the first academic year, students generally concentrate on coursework; a research area is usually chosen during the first or second year. Research, the most important part of the graduate program, occupies much of the student’s time after the first year. Students must pass a qualifying examination by the end of their third academic year. The purpose of this examination, based mostly on a directed research project, is to ensure that the student has the preparation and the ability to conduct the original research required for the PhD dissertation. Students submit a dissertation prospectus under the guidance of a faculty advisory committee and continue performing original research. Once they have written their dissertation, students undergo a dissertation defense.
Degree Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate graduate-level knowledge of astronomy and physics, including the following topics: fundamental physics and astrophysics; gravitation, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics appropriate to astronomy; and the dynamical behavior of space and astrophysical plasmas.
- Demonstrate graduate-level knowledge of observational techniques used to study astronomical and space phenomena.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the forefront of the field through PhD-level research.
- Ability to communicate astronomical information orally (or signed) to a graduate- and faculty-level audience.
- Ability to communicate astronomical information in written form.
- Demonstrate critical thinking about astronomical topics as well as other technical and general scientific topics.
- Perform original scientific research at a high level.
- Publish original research in a dissertation and (typically peer-reviewed) journals.
- Appropriately use and acknowledge work of others.
- Disseminate and handle data and other research products in an appropriate manner.
Coursework & Program Overview
Graduate Coursework
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Students must accumulate 64 units (credits) with a grade of B− or higher from graduate-level classes. Of these:
- 24 units must be for 4-unit astronomy (AS) courses numbered CAS 701–749
- 2 units must be from CAS AS 720 Graduate Research and Scholarship
- 8 units must be from advanced AS courses numbered CAS 750–799,
– or, with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, relevant graduate-level courses offered within Boston University such as physics or engineering courses. (Advanced courses outside of Boston University require petition to the Astronomy faculty.)
- 8 units must be from completing all of the four 2-unit AS seminar courses (which may be repeated for additional credit):
- CAS AS 850/851 – Graduate Literature Seminar I and II
- CAS AS 865/866 – Graduate Research Seminar I and II
- The remaining up-to-22 units are normally expected to come from research courses numbered CAS AS 900–919
In addition to the requirements listed above, all students are expected to participate in a student-centered seminar series (AS 850/851 and/or AS 865/866) and a professional-centered scientific colloquium series, each semester that they are in residence. |
Language Requirement
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There is no foreign language requirement for this degree. |
Transfer Credit
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Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits. Review the GRS Transfer of Credits policy for more details. Transfer of credit is at the discretion of the department. |
PhD Qualifying Examination
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Students must pass an Oral Qualifying Examination by the end of their third academic year. |
Dissertation
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Candidates must demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a Dissertation representing original research. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in astronomy, astrophysics, or space physics. |
Satisfactory Academic Progress for the PhD Degree
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The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GRS) and the Astronomy Department guarantee five full years (12 months each) of financial support for students who maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. This support will be in the form of Teaching Fellowships, Research Fellowships, or Graduate Fellowships. Funding beyond five years is generally provided (but not guaranteed) to students who are working productively toward the PhD degree.
All classes must be completed with a grade of B- or better to maintain satisfactory academic progress, with an overall GPA no lower than 3.0 (on a 4-point scale).
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences requires graduate students to maintain Good Academic Standing in order to remain enrolled in their graduate program and/or to retain GRS scholarship and/or fellowship support. The GRS criteria for Good Academic Standing are as follows:
- Have no more than two failing or W grades.
- Meet all milestones of the degree, such as comprehensive exams, qualifying exams, and dissertation prospectus, on the schedule specified by the program.
- Meet all milestones of the degree with sufficient quality of work as specified by the program.
- Satisfactorily fulfill all service fellowship obligations, as specified by the program.
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Time Limit & Leaves
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The time limit for completion of the PhD is seven years (exceptions require a petition to GRS). A Leave of Absence of up to two semesters is permitted for appropriate cause; the period of authorized leave of absence is not counted as a part of the time allowed for completion of PhD degree requirements. |
Academic Progress Timeline
Astronomy PhD Program Timeline
YEAR 1 —
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By End of First Year
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YEAR 2 —
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No Later than End of Second Year
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- Completion of the remaining 2 courses numbered AS 705-749
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YEAR 3 —
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No Later than End of Third Year
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YEAR 4 —
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No Later than End of First Semester of the Fourth Year
No Later than End of Fourth Year
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- Selection of the members of the student’s PhD Dissertation Steering Committee, including the First and Second Readers of the dissertation
- Student submits completed Astronomy Dissertation Steering Committee Membership Form to identify committee members
- Begins meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus
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YEAR 5 —
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No Later than End of Fifth Year
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- Continues meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus
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YEAR 6 —
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No Later than the End of Sixth Year
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- Continues meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus and completion of dissertation.
- Student submits Dissertation Prospectus and GRS Prospectus Form to the DGS and Graduate School (GRS) no later than 6 months before the Final Oral Exam.
- Review the Graduate School’s PhD Graduation Checklists for year-specific deadlines.
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YEAR 7 —
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No Later than the End of Seventh Year
| Coursework |
| COURSEWORK |
All required coursework completed. |
| Graduation Semester Registration |
| REGISTRATION |
A student must be registered in the preceding semester and in the semester during which the degree requirements are completed. |
| Dissertation Deadlines Schedule |
| Process Step |
Deadline prior to
Final Oral Exam |
Action Required |
| DISSERTATION ABSTRACT |
at least
FIVE WEEKS
prior |
Approved by the Readers, DGS, and Chair |
PROPERLY
FORMATTED*
DRAFT OF
THESIS |
at least
THREE WEEKS
prior |
Submitted to GRS
(*refer to Mugar guide in GRS PhD Graduation Guide) |
DEFENSE
DRAFT OF
DISSERTATION |
at least
TWO WEEKS
prior |
Approved by Readers and distributed to Committee |
FINAL ORAL EXAM
(“PHD DEFENSE”) |
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– A presentation of PhD research to the student’s PhD Examination Committee and an audience of departmental students and faculty.
– Examination of the candidate’s dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in astronomy, astrophysics, or space physics. Also must demonstrate mastery of their field of specialization.
– At least four members of the PhD examining committee must vote to pass the candidate. |
| DISSERTATION |
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– The final version of the dissertation and abstract, as revised following comments and suggestions by the PhD Examination Committee and the Department of Astronomy faculty, must be approved by the Readers, as well as by the Chair and Director of Graduate Studies of the Department of Astronomy.
– The candidate should consult the Graduate School’s PhD Graduation Guide for the precise format and submission requirements for the dissertation. |
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Graduate Student Funding
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) guarantees five years of full funding for PhD students who maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Graduate students are supported through University Fellowships, Teaching Fellowships, and/or Research Fellowships. The normal pathway is for students to receive Teaching or University Fellowships during their first year or two and to be supported with Research Fellowships after that, while working closely with individual faculty members on research.
Funding beyond five years is generally provided (but not guaranteed) to students who are working productively toward the PhD degree. Visit GRS Financial Aid – Aid for PhD Students for more information.
PhD Profile
A profile of the BU Astronomy PhD program is available, as coordinated through Boston University’s Office of Graduate Affairs.
PhD Program Academic Handbook
This program handbook addresses aspects of academic requirements as requested by the Provost’s Office and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) in Fall 2024, and is accurate as of April 2025.
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