Graduate Program
The department offers a graduate program leading to
the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy in astronomy. Current
research
provides opportunities in optical observational astronomy as well as
computational
theory. Prospective graduate students must submit scores on the
Graduate
Record Examination including the advanced physics test. Further
information
on the department's graduate programs, and details concerning financial
aid,
are available through the departmental office.
Application information and forms for graduate
studies can be found
here.
Applications are accepted in one of two ways:
By mail (application fee is waived).
Applications should be mailed to:
Astronomy Graduate
Admissions
attn: Agnes Torontali
CWRU Dept of Astronomy
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland OH 44106-7215
Online (for which there is
a small application fee). Information about the online
application process can be found
here.
Graduate applications in astronomy are normally due by
January 15 for
admission in the following fall; however, under special circumstances
late applications will be considered.
If you have questions about the Astronomy graduate
program (including the Joint
Astronomy/Physics Doctorate Program), contact Professor Heather
Morrison at hlm5@case.edu.
Joint Astronomy / Physics Doctorate Program
The Case Departments of Physics and of Astronomy also offer
a
joint Physics/Astronomy graduate program
for students whose interests lie in both Physics and
Astronomy.
Graduate Course Listings
ASTR 406. Astronomical Techniques (3).
Emphasis will be on acquisition of
direct imaging and/or spectroscopic data at the 0.9 meter telescope and
its
subsequent reduction. Principles of optics applied to astronomical
telescopes and instrumentation. Modern detector technology.
Computational
techniques will also be explored through projects emphasizing modeling
of
data, dynamical simulations of star clusters emphasizing modeling of
data,
dynamical simulations of star clusters and galaxies, or astronomical
database mining.
ASTR 409. Nucleosynthesis and Chemical
Evolution (3). Formation of the
elements by stellar nucleosynthesis, especially within supernovae. The
subsequent dispersal of this material into the interstellar medium and
its
incorporation into stars. The observable elemental content of stars and
the
relation of that content to the history and dynamics of the Galaxy.
Prerequisite consent: of instructor.
ASTR 411. Stellar Physics (3).
Radiative transfer, atomic and molecular
opacities, and the observable properties of stars. Stellar interiors,
nuclear processes, and energy generation. The evolution of stars of
varying
mass and production of the elements within supernovae explosions.
ASTR 423. The Local Universe (3).
The Milky Way Galaxy. Galaxy populations.
Quantitative structure and dynamics of galaxies. The interstellar media
of
galaxies. Dark matter and stellar populations. The Local Group and
Virgo
cluster.
ASTR 427. Dynamical Astronomy (3).
Gravitational dynamics of stars, star
clusters, and galaxies. Dynamical evolution of gravitational systems.
Dynamical equilibria, stability, and perturbation theory. Analytic and
computational techniques. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ASTR 428. Cosmology and the Structure
of the Universe (3). Distances to
galaxies. The content of the distant universe. Large scale structure
and
galaxy clusters. Physical cosmology. Structure and galaxy formation and
evolution. Testing cosmological models.
ASTR 497. Special Topics in Astronomy
(1-3). Prerequisite: consent of
instructor.
ASTR 601. Research
(credit as arranged).
ASTR 701. Dissertation (Ph.D.)
(credit as arranged).
ASTR 702. Dissertation (Ph.D.)
(credit as arranged).
