Graduate Program

Spring Term Schedule, Astronomy

Spring 2027

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
ASTR 444-01 Observational Astronomy Kelly O'Neill TR 6:15PM - 7:30PM
ASTR 244W/444 is the astronomy-only version of our Advanced Laboratory (PHYS 243W), in which challenging observing projects and analyses are carried out using the 24-inch Cassegrain telescope, and its research-grade instrument suite, at the Mees Observatory. The semester is front-loaded with ten introductory lessons on instruments, observations, and image processing. Afterwards, most of the effort will go into planning and executing observations, analyzing the data, and writing papers about the results. Location (TR 6:15PM - 7:30PM)
ASTR 462-01 Physics of Astrophysics II Adam Frank TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
One half of the required 2 part sequence (can be taken before or after ASTR 461). Focuses on hydrodynamic and plasma processes relevant to astrophysics. Fundamentals of fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, fluid, MHD, and thermal instabilities, turbulence, supersonic and subsonic flow. Accretion physics, shocks, dynamos, particle accelerations in plasmas, dynamics of magnetic fields. Concepts are developed from first principles and many applications in astrophysics are studies. (Cross-listed with PHYS 452). Location (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
ASTR 595-01 PhD Research Eric Blackman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-02 PhD Research Petros Tzeferacos 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-03 PhD Research Dominique Segura-Cox 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-04 PhD Research Regina Demina 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-05 PhD Research Alice Quillen 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-06 PhD Research ZJ Zhang 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 595-07 PhD Research Miki Nakajima 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 995-01 Doctoral Dissertation (P) Segev BenZvi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides doctoral students the opportunity to work on their dissertation. Students will make progress toward completing degree requirements. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 999-01 Doctoral Dissertation (F) Gabriel Teixeira Landi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides doctoral students the opportunity to work full-time on their dissertation in absentia. Students will make significant progress toward completing degree requirements. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Tuesday
Tuesday and Thursday
ASTR 462-01 Physics of Astrophysics II Adam Frank
One half of the required 2 part sequence (can be taken before or after ASTR 461). Focuses on hydrodynamic and plasma processes relevant to astrophysics. Fundamentals of fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, fluid, MHD, and thermal instabilities, turbulence, supersonic and subsonic flow. Accretion physics, shocks, dynamos, particle accelerations in plasmas, dynamics of magnetic fields. Concepts are developed from first principles and many applications in astrophysics are studies. (Cross-listed with PHYS 452).
ASTR 444-01 Observational Astronomy Kelly O'Neill
ASTR 244W/444 is the astronomy-only version of our Advanced Laboratory (PHYS 243W), in which challenging observing projects and analyses are carried out using the 24-inch Cassegrain telescope, and its research-grade instrument suite, at the Mees Observatory. The semester is front-loaded with ten introductory lessons on instruments, observations, and image processing. Afterwards, most of the effort will go into planning and executing observations, analyzing the data, and writing papers about the results.
Thursday
Friday