Princeton University - The Graduate School

Astrophysical Sciences
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences offers advanced training in astrophysics and plasma physics; under the department’s aegis, an extensive program of graduate research is also conducted at the renowned Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), located on Princeton’s Forrestal campus. The fascinating discoveries of modern astronomy challenge human understanding of the broadest possible range of physical phenomena. Plasma physics provides the scientific basis for the attainment of an effectively unlimited energy source through controlled thermonuclear fusion as well as a framework for interpreting many fascinating laboratory and astrophysical phenomena. The primary emphasis of the departmental program is on the basic physical understanding of these topics.

Students request admission to either the astronomy section or the plasma physics section of the program. Prior to the general examination they are expected to take a number of nondepartmental courses, usually in physics and mathematics, in addition to a variety of courses within the department. Both the number and the choice of courses are flexible and are worked out with students to satisfy their own interests and assist their preparation for the general examination.

General Examination
At the end of the second year, students take the oral general examination. The student chooses four topics out of the following six: stellar systems, extragalactic astronomy, stellar structure, high-energy astrophysics, diffuse matter in space, and plasma astrophysics. Five of these topics are covered by classes offered at our department. A committee of four faculty members examines the student for about two hours mostly on the four chosen subjects, but also on other topics in astrophysics.

Ph.D. Requirements
For admission to candidacy for a Ph.D. in the astronomy section, students must complete the following requirements: (1) successfully complete all of the courses required by the department (AST 541, two semesters; AST 542, two semesters; and four additional astronomy graduate-level courses); (2) pass the general examination; and (3) produce at least one paper suitable for submission to a journal as part of a departmental research project. The research supervisor must approve the paper.

M.A. Requirements
Students are not admitted for an M.A. However, in rare circumstances, an M.A. may be awarded when students complete two of the following three requirements: (1) successfully complete all of the required courses described above; (2) pass the general examination; and (3) produce at least one paper suitable for submission to a journal as part of a departmental research project. The research supervisor must approve the paper.

A student undertakes several research projects during the first two years, normally within the research area of the section in which he or she is enrolled. Such projects are considered essential to the educational process, by providing students with the opportunity to learn by working in close association with an active research scientist. Usually the results of such research are significant enough to warrant publication.

Research within the astronomy section concentrates on gaining an understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the evolution and the formation of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. There is a strong tradition of theoretical research in a wide range of topics, including galaxy formation and evolution, numerical hydrodynamics, the origin of structure in the early universe, plasma astrophysics, stellar structure and evolution, stellar systems, the physics of the interstellar medium and extrasolar planets. Observational work is carried out with a wide variety of ground-based telescopes, including the ARC 3.5-meter telescope. Department members are also involved with research using data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and other space-based observatories. Princeton is one of the lead partners in NASA’s WMAP satellite and in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Observational work includes studies of large-scale structure, active galactic nuclei, stars and sub-stellar objects, large-scale optical surveys, gravitational lenses, the interstellar medium and the structure of galaxies.

Research in the plasma physics section concentrates on fundamental physics problems pertinent to this discipline, and on questions raised in the controlled thermonuclear-fusion program, energetic laser-plasma and X-ray laser experiments, plasma-surface interaction studies, plasma thruster and other plasma devices and astrophysics. The program includes theoretical and laboratory studies of the basic properties of plasmas, including the heating and magnetic confinement of plasmas at temperatures on the order of 100 million degrees kelvin. Nonlinear plasma and optical processes and plasma diagnostics also receive close attention. PPPL offers unsurpassed facilities for experimental research in these areas, while a strong theoretical program is given additional support through access to the most powerful computers.

While there are no strict rules for admission, it is highly desirable that applicants for plasma physics have a strong background in physics, applied mathematics or engineering and sufficient preparation overall to take basic graduate courses in theoretical physics, for example PHY 501, 505 and 511. In the astronomy section, students with a strong undergraduate background in physics are ideally prepared, but students from other undergraduate concentrations will be considered. Courses in plasma physics or astronomy are very helpful but are not required for admission to either section.

Teaching Requirements
Students are required to serve as Assistants in Instruction for one semester sometime during their graduate career, although this requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances.

Seminars
Graduate students are also required to attend the graduate student seminars each semester, except for their last semester at Princeton. Students take turns presenting 50-minute talks, which they prepare using recent publications on the seminar subject. The seminar is run by faculty members, who usually choose a topic related to their research area as the general theme for the seminar in a given semester. In the fall, the seminar focuses on theory, whereas in spring it is mostly observational. As a result, by the time of graduation students are familiar with the current state of research in seven different areas. The seminar is also attended by students from the physics department and astrophysical sciences undergraduates.

Astrophysical Sciences

AST 514    Structure of the Stars
      Adam S. Burrows
Theoretical and numerical analysis of the structure of stars and their evolution. Topics include a survey of the physical process important for stellar interiors (equation of state, nuclear reactions, transport phenomena); macroscopic properties of stars and their stability; evolution of single and binary stars; mass loss and accretion of matter; and accretion disks. Emphasis is given to numerical modeling of various types of stars.

AST 517    Diffuse Matter in Space
      Bruce T. Draine
Subject of course is the astrophysics of the interstellar medium: theory and observations of the gas, dust, plasma, energetic particles, magnetic field, and electromagnetic radiation in interstellar space. Emphasis will be on theory, including elements of: fluid dynamics; excitation of atoms, molecules and ions; radiative processes; radiative transfer; simple interstellar chemistry; and physical properties of dust grains.The theory will be applied to phenomena including: interstellar clouds (both diffuse atomic clouds and dense molecular clouds); HII regions; shock waves; supernova remnants; cosmic rays; interstellar dust; and star formation.

AST 519    Plasma Astrophysics
      Russell M. Kulsrud
Plasma physics processes in the solar system, galaxies, and the intergalactic medium and solar dynamo theory, chromospheric and coronal magnetic fields, rotating magnetohydrodynamics, galactic magnetic field and cosmic ray acceleration are studied.

AST 520    High Energy Astrophysics
      Anatoly Spitkovsky, Jeremy J. Goodman
Astrophysical applications of electrodynamics, nuclear, and particle physics. Topics may include synchrotron emission and absorption, comptonization, pair plasmas, jets, extragalactic radio sources, compact objects, cosmic rays, and neutrino astrophysics.

AST 522    Extragalactic Astronomy
      James E. Gunn
A survey course covering the principal current areas of research on extragalactic objects, their physical properties, origin, evolution, and distribution in space. Topics covered include quasar physics, formation, evolution, and clustering of galaxies and the general problem of large-scale structure and motion in the universe.

AST 523/APC 523    Scientific Computation in Astrophysics
      James M. Stone, Robert H. Lupton
A broad introduction to scientific computation using examples drawn from astrophysics. From computer science, practical topics including processor architecture, parallel systems, structured programming, and scientific visualization will be presented in tutorial style. Basic principles of numerical analysis, including sources of error, stability, and convergence of algorithms. The theory and implementation of techniques for linear and nonlinear systems of equations, ordinary and partial differential equations will be demonstrated with problems in stellar structure and evolution, stellar and galactic dynamics, and cosmology.

AST 524/PHY 564    Physics of the Universe
      Paul J. Steinhardt, David N. Spergel
This course spans a wide range of advanced concepts in contemporary cosmology including inflation, the cyclic universe, dark matter and dark energy, and how they can be explored through cosmological observations of the cosmic microwave background and large scale structure. The course will be closely linked to the Princeton Center for Theoretical Physics Fall 2008 program on the Big Bang and Beyond, including weekly precept meetings with seminar speakers.

AST 541    Seminar in Theoretical Astrophysics
      James M. Stone, Gregory W. Hammett
Designed to stimulate students in the pursuit of research. Participants in this seminar discuss critically papers given by seminar members. Ordinarily, several staff members also participate. Often topics are drawn from published data that present unsolved puzzles of interpretation.

AST 542    Seminar in Observational Astrophysics
      Michael A. Strauss
Students will prepare and deliver presentations and lead discussion about topics of current interest in observational astrophysics and techniques.

AST 545    Special Topics in Astrophysics
      Edward B. Jenkins
A series of lectures on advanced problems in the field. For this course, topics of current special interest are selected, such as the interiors of the planets, extragalactic research, high-energy astrophysics, or astronomical experiments on rockets and satellites. Often this course is given by a visiting astronomer.

AST 546    Special Topics in Astrophysics
      Jeremiah P. Ostriker
A series of lectures on advanced problems in the field. For this course, topics of current special interest are selected, such as the interiors of the planets, extragalactic research, high-energy astrophysics, or astronomical experiments on rockets and satellites. Often this course is given by a visiting astronomer.