Postgraduate Study
PhD and Masters by Research in Astronomy
Why Study @ Swinburne CAS?
Staff, Research, Keck telescope access, Supercomputer access.
The CAS PhD Program
PhD topics, Funding policy, Swinburne
Research Post-Graduate Studies.
Masters by Research
How To Apply
Expression of Interest, PhD
scholarships, Research
Higher Degrees Policy and Procedure.
Visit Us!
Excellent researchers, cutting-edge research
With 15 research faculty and over 25 postdoctoral
researchers and students (and growing!), CAS offers a vibrant,
research-focused atmosphere where PhD students help conduct - and
learn how to lead - cutting-edge research.
Wide-ranging expertise
With expertise in optical,
infra-red and radio astronomy, computational and theoretical
astrophysics, we observe, imagine and even simulate the most exciting
astrophysical phenomena. Our research
strengths cover all major areas of astronomy, from cosmology and
the large-scale structure of the Universe, to quasars and the most
distant known galaxies, to clusters and groups of galaxies, down to
our own Milky Way, its structure and fascinating contents: pulsars,
neutron stars, globular clusters, stars and planets. We also research
3-D visualisation techniques and applications of advanced scientific
computing. Our latest research results are highlighted in our news section.
The world's best telescopes
We have recently gained access to the Keck twin
10-meter telescopes! The
Keck Observatory in Hawaii comprises the world's largest optical
telescopes and CAS astronomers are now observing there for up to 20
nights per year. You could too! CAS is the only astronomy department
in Australia with guaranteed access to the world's largest optical
telescopes. Read more about it in the June 2008 issue of
Swinburne
Magazine. Of course, CAS astronomers are also regularly awarded
observing time at major national, international and space-based
observatories covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Extreme computing
CAS is also home to The Green Machine, one of Australia's most
powerful supercomputers. It has proven to be an excellent research
tool in areas of astronomy ranging from simulations of structure
formation in the Universe to the processing of enormous data volumes
collected from radio telescopes. It is also used to render 3-D animations and movies promoting
and explaining astronomy to the broader community. CAS is the only
astronomy department in the southern hemisphere with its own
supercomputer.
The primary postgraduate degree we offer is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by research in Astrophysics. Academically high achieving students work with leading astronomers to research important questions in astrophysics, data analysis and visualization. The program enables students to conduct independent research at a high level of originality, relevance and quality. PhD graduates from Swinburne often take positions in leading astrophysics institutions around the world.
A wide range of potential PhD topics are on offer. Due to the nature of research, this list changes constantly; students interested in particular projects are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant supervisor(s). Summaries of current thesis work by CAS students are also available.CAS PhD students are provided with a powerful workstation, a personal research grant, and access to the considerable computational resources of the The Green Machine. The research grant is usually used to cover travel to telescopes, international conferences and/or for a laptop computer. Our postgraduate funding policy is available here.
We also encourage students to take advantage of the Centre's Swinburne Astronomy Prodctions staff and facilities to produce state of the art representations of their data.
CAS maintains links with astronomers at the Anglo-Australian Observatory and the Australia Telescope National Facility. Potential PhD projects on offer at the AAO and ATNF are also available to incoming Swinburne students. CAS PhD students also participate in our occasional PhD Lecture Series and have numerous opportunities to be involved in outreach and education.
Swinburne Research administers all of the University's research and graduate studies. For more information, see their Post-Graduate Studies website. The full Research Degrees Policies and Guidelines can be found there.
Please note that we do not offer PhD programs online or by distance learning.
We offer a Masters by research in Astrophysics but this is a much less common route for postgraduate study at CAS. Please contact Dr. Michael Murphy for details of this program.
Please note that we do not offer Masters by Research programs online or by distance learning. CAS does offer an online Master of Science (Astronomy) course via Swinburne Astronomy Online, but this is not a research degree.
Applications for PhD placements at CAS proceed in two stages, an initial Expression of Interest and, later, a formal application to Swinburne Research, the University's administrative body which deals with all postgraduate study.
A range of different PhD scholarships are available at Swinburne and the formal application procedure enables you to apply for all of those relevant to your circumstances. However, they are all highly competitive, so CAS first assesses the qualifications of each candidate to ensure they stand a good chance of receiving a scholarship of one kind or another.
Expressions of Interest
As a first step in the assessment process, you must submit an Expression of Interest via the web-based form here.
Potential applicants should submit Expressions of Interest AT LEAST ONE MONTH before the deadline for formal applications (see below). However, the earlier you submit an Expression of Interest, the more opportunity you will have to find a supervisor and to discuss potential PhD projects with them before the formal application deadline.
Formal Applications
If CAS staff make a positive assessment of your Expression of Interest, you must find a supervisor within CAS to support your formal application. It is therefore imperative for potential applicants to communicate with relevant CAS staff members and discuss potential PhD projects. An appropriate staff member must agree to be your supervisor on a particular project before a formal application can be submitted. Applicants are strongly advised to prepare their applications at least 1 month ahead of the formal application deadline.
The next formal PhD admission and scholarship application deadline is the 29th May, 2009. For exceptional candidates, CAS's Tier 1 status within the University allows for formal applications to be submitted at any time.
Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for undertaking a PhD at CAS are detailed in Swinburne Research's Research Higher Degrees Policy and Procedure document. In summary, PhD applicants must have completed at least four years (or equivalent) of tertiary (i.e. University) studies, at a high level of achievement, in a subject area related to their proposed PhD project. For most CAS PhD applicants, this translates to having completed a BSc with first or upper second class Honours or a Masters (with a research component) awarded at a similarly high grade.
There are also English language requirements: if English is not a native language for you then at least 2 years (or equivalent) of your formal studies must have had English as the language of instruction. If that is not the case then, if your application for a scholarship is successful, you must take either an IELTS or TOEFL English language examination before you can begin your PhD studies. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no band lower than 6) or high TOEFL grades (CBT score 237 and essay rating 5.0; or IBT 91 score and writing score 22) are required. International students must study full time.
Note that offers of PhD placements and scholarships can be made on condition of satisfactory completion of these entry requirements.
We welcome (real, physical) visits to CAS by prospective PhD students! It's really the best way for you to see who we are, what we do and what doing a PhD here is all about. Please contact Dr. Michael Murphy via phone or email to arrange a visit.