Fall 2024 applications are now closed. Applications for fall 2025 will re-open in July 2024. 

Check out our Prospective Students page for more information about applying to the APS Ph.D. program!

The Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences is one of the few programs that combines both astrophysics and planetary science, providing a unified view of space sciences; the solar system and comparative planetology; stellar and galactic astronomy; and cosmology. Students are given hands-on experience with telescopes, optics, instrumentation, and computer image processing and modeling. 

The department’s general astronomy track lends itself to a career in education, science journalism, science policy, information technology, science management, or technical work where a graduate degree is not required.
The more math-intensive astrophysics/physics track is intended for students who wish to do research and continue on to graduate work in astronomy or planetary sciences. This track also lends itself well to a career in technical work related to the field.
Our Ph.D. program allows graduate students to practice teaching, assist in cutting-edge research, and begin to take part in the larger professional astrophysics community.