Ph.D. Astrophysical Sciences

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences offers advanced training in astrophysics. The faculty and staff in the department conduct world-leading research in theoretical and computational astrophysics, observational astronomy, astronomical surveys and instrumentation (both hardware and software). The fascinating discoveries of modern astronomy challenge human understanding of the broadest possible range of physical phenomena. The graduate program in Astrophysical Sciences prepares students for scientific careers in astrophysics through a combination of classes and early and active participation in semester research projects, culminating in original thesis research. 

The program length is five years, the first two years of which are dedicated to taking core astrophysics courses and working on up to four semester-long research projects with different faculty members. After the general exam at the end of the second year, the students are admitted to candidacy, select a thesis advisor, and work on their thesis research for the remaining three years. 

Under the department’s aegis, an extensive program of graduate research in fundamental plasma physics is also conducted at the renowned Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), located on Princeton’s Forrestal Campus. Please see Program in Plasma Physics page for information about applying for this program. Students interested in fundamental plasma physics and its laboratory and technology applications should apply to the Program in Plasma Physics. Students interested in astrophysical applications of plasma physics (including high energy astrophysics), should apply to the graduate program in Astrophysical Sciences.