Graduate Expectations

Statement of Mutual Expectations between the Department of Astronomy and its Graduate Students

Graduate students in the Astronomy doctoral program are expected to develop a mastery of their field, and gain familiarity with their discipline from arrival to graduation. Students should make the transition from classroom learning to active supervised full-time original research during their graduate career.

In particular, full-time doctoral students who arrive with a baccalaureate degree normally will:

Become engaged in supervised research no later than during their 2nd year
Identify a thesis adviser during their 3rd year
Identify a thesis topic by the end of their 3rd year
Secure admission to candidacy within 3-4 years
Submit at least one paper for publication prior to graduation
Complete all requirements and graduate within 6-7 years

Graduate students in CMPS doctoral programs normally may expect:

A wide selection of courses
Advice and mentoring by faculty in their program prior to the selection of an adviser
From their adviser (or, in some instances the program):

Regular access and advice during the research and thesis writing process
Training in the preparation of oral and written scholarly presentations; in particular, advice and support for the writing of at least one paper for publication
Introductions, for example at conferences, to other members of the field
Assistance and advice with job searches

Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2421
Phone: (301) 405-3001 FAX: (301) 314-9067

Comments and questions may be directed to webmaster@astro.umd.edu

Page updated on: 29-Nov-2005.