Mail Code: 94305-4060
Phone: (650) 723-1439
Web Site: http://kipac.stanford.edu
Astronomy courses are offered primarily through the Physics department, with subject code PHYSICS on the Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses website.
Although Stanford University does not have a degree program in astronomy or astrophysics, teaching and research in various branches of these disciplines are ongoing activities in the departments of Applied Physics, Physics, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL).
For the convenience of students interested in astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology, a course program for undergraduate and graduate study is listed in the "Astronomy Cognate Courses" section of this bulletin. The list includes introductory courses for the student who wishes to be informed about the fields of astronomy without the need for prerequisites beyond high school algebra and physics. Courses in astronomy numbered below 100 are designed to serve this group of students. Astronomy courses numbered 100-199 serve the student interested in an initial scientific study of astronomy. The courses numbered 200 and above are for graduate students and advanced undergraduates, subject to prior approval by the course instructor.
Undergraduate Programs in Astronomy
The University does not offer a separate undergraduate major in Astronomy. Students who intend to pursue graduate study in astronomy or space science are encouraged to major in physics, following the advanced sequence if possible, or in electrical engineering if the student has a strongly developed interest in radioscience. The course descriptions for these basic studies are listed under the appropriate department sections of this bulletin. Students desiring guidance in developing an astronomy-oriented course of study should contact the chair of the Astronomy Program Committee. The following courses are suitable for undergraduates and are recommended to students considering advanced study in astronomy or astrophysics:
| Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS 100 | Introduction to Observational Astrophysics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 160 | Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 161 | Introduction to Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| Students planning study in astronomy beyond the B.S. are urged to take: | ||
| PHYSICS 262 | General Relativity | 3 |
The above-mentioned courses are required for physics majors who choose the curriculum with a concentration in astrophysics (see the "Physics" section of this bulletin).
Stanford Student Observatory
The student observatory, located in the hills to the west of the campus, is equipped with a 24-inch and other small reflecting telescopes. It is used for instruction of the observation-oriented courses, PHYSICS 50 Astronomy Laboratory and Observational Astronomy and PHYSICS 100 Introduction to Observational Astrophysics.
The Department of Physics offers a minor in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy.
Minor in Physics with Concentration in Astronomy
Students wishing to pursue advanced work in astrophysical sciences should major in Physics and concentrate in astrophysics. However, students outside of Physics with a general interest in astronomy may organize their studies by completing one of the following Physics minor concentration programs.
Students who take the 20, 40, or 60 series at Stanford in support of their major may count those units towards the minor.
An undergraduate Physics minor with a concentration in Astronomy requires the following courses:
Non-Technical
For students whose majors do not require the PHYSICS 40 or 60 series:
| Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS 21 | Mechanics, Fluids, and Heat | 4 |
| PHYSICS 23 | Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 25 & PHYSICS 26 | Modern Physics and Modern Physics Laboratory | 5 |
| PHYSICS 50 | Astronomy Laboratory and Observational Astronomy | 3-4 |
| or PHYSICS 100 | Introduction to Observational Astrophysics | |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Stars and Planets in a Habitable Universe | ||
| The Origin and Development of the Cosmos | ||
| Black Holes and Extreme Astrophysics | ||
| Total Units | 22-23 | |
Technical
For students whose majors require the PHYSICS 40 or 60 series:
| Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following Series: | 14-17 | |
| Series A | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Light and Heat and Light and Heat Laboratory | ||
| Foundations of Modern Physics | ||
| Series B | ||
| Mechanics and Special Relativity | ||
| Electricity, Magnetism, and Waves | ||
| Quantum and Thermal Physics | ||
| Introduction to Laboratory Physics | ||
| And take the following three courses: | ||
| PHYSICS 100 | Introduction to Observational Astrophysics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 160 | Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 161 | Introduction to Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| Total Units | 24-27 | |
Students are also encouraged to take the electricity and magnetism/optics lab of the appropriate PHYSICS series , PHYSICS 24 , PHYSICS 44 or PHYSICS 64 for 1 additional unit.
Graduate Programs in Astronomy
Graduate programs in astronomy and astrophysics and related topics are carried out primarily in the Department of Physics but also the departments of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering. Students should consult the course listings, degree requirements, and research programs of these departments for more detailed information.
Graduate research opportunities are available in many areas of theoretical and observational astronomy. For further information, see the Kavli Institute of Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology website.
| Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students planning to conduct research in astrophysics but lacking a background in astrophysics and/or gravitation should take 2-3 appropriate courses from the following list: | ||
| PHYSICS 260 | Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 261 | Introduction to Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 262 | General Relativity | 3 |
| All students planning to conduct research in astronomy and astrophysics are strongly encouraged to take: | ||
| PHYSICS 301 | Astrophysics Laboratory (not offered 2020-2021) | 3 |
| PHYSICS 360 | Modern Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 361 | Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics (not offered 2020-21) | 3 |
| In addition, astrophysics students should consider these courses as appropriate to their thesis topic: | ||
| PHYSICS 269 | Neutrinos in Astrophysics and Cosmology | 3 |
| PHYSICS 362 | The Early Universe (not offered 2020-21) | 3 |
| PHYSICS 364 | Gravitational Radiation, Black Holes and Neutron Stars (not offered 2020-2021) | 3 |
| PHYSICS 366 | Statistical Methods in Astrophysics | 2 |
| PHYSICS 367 | Special Topics in Astrophysics: Structure Formation and Galaxy Formation | 2 |
Each year a number of "special topics" course are offered. Refer to courses in the PHYSICS 360 range for more details. Students interested in research programs in space physics involving spacecraft studies of the planets, their satellites, and their near-space environments should see the "Center for Space Science and Astrophysics" section of this bulletin.
COVID-19 Policies
On July 30, the Academic Senate adopted grading policies effective for all undergraduate and graduate programs, excepting the professional Graduate School of Business, School of Law, and the School of Medicine M.D. Program. For a complete list of those and other academic policies relating to the pandemic, see the "COVID-19 and Academic Continuity" section of this bulletin.
The Senate decided that all undergraduate and graduate courses offered for a letter grade must also offer students the option of taking the course for a “credit” or “no credit” grade and recommended that deans, departments, and programs consider adopting local policies to count courses taken for a “credit” or “satisfactory” grade toward the fulfillment of degree-program requirements and/or alter program requirements as appropriate.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Grading
The Department of Physics counts all courses taken in academic year 2020-21 with a grade of 'CR' (credit) or 'S' (satisfactory) towards satisfaction of undergraduate degree requirements that otherwise require a letter grade.
Emeriti: (Professors) Peter A. Sturrock, G. Leonard Tyler, Robert V. Wagoner
Professors: Tom Abel (Physics, SLAC), Steve Allen (Physics, SLAC), Roger Blandford (Physics, SLAC), Pat Burchat (Physics), Blas Cabrera (Physics), Sarah Church (Physics), Kent Irwin (Physics, SLAC), Steven Kahn (Physics, SLAC), Chao-Lin Kuo (Physics, SLAC), Bruce Macintosh (Physics), Peter Michelson (Physics), Vahé Petrosian (Physics, Applied Physics), Roger W. Romani (Physics), Risa Wechsler (Physics, SLAC)
Professor (Research): Philip H. Scherrer (Physics)
