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A Tradition of Excellence

The Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS) at the University of Colorado (CU) has a reputation of excellence, both nationally and internationally. Consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, the Department enjoys a diversity of research interests in the areas of Astrophysics & Astronomy, Planetary Science, Fluid Dynamics, Plasma Physics, Solar Physics, and Space Physics. The APS department has 30 rostered faculty, 50 research and affiliated faculty, 64 graduate students, 340 undergraduate majors, and 80 undergraduates minoring in astronomy.

Graduate Studies

The APS department offers PhD degrees; only students planning to earn their PhD will be considered for admission. Graduate students generally specialize in the areas of astrophysics, planetary science, or Solar science. 

The program successfully integrates astrophysics, planetary science, solar physics, and space instrumentation, with both observational and theoretical components. These assets facilitate interaction and collaboration between the disciplines and enable students to explore a wide variety of research areas. In addition, the on campus provides excellent hands­-on experience with telescopes and observing, and the department supports the world­ class , which offers a unique opportunity for public outreach. These campus resources are complemented by other affiliated research organizations in and near ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

Research Opportunities

The APS Department is affiliated with many different research labs, both within the university (, , ) and in the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ area (/, , , , ). These affiliations often lead to research opportunities for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students may also choose to work with APS faculty on independent research projects using the Sommers-Bausch Observatory, the 3.5m Apache Point Observatory, or the Fiske Planetarium. For current undergraduate research opportunities please visit the Research, Internship, & Scholarship Opportunities page.

Undergraduate Opportunities

The BA program is designed to meet student needs for training in space sciences, including astronomy, astrophysics, planetary sciences and space physics. Students pursuing the Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences major have the option of following one of two emphases: the Interdisciplinary Emphasis housed in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS), or the Physics Emphasis, jointly supervised by APS and the Department of Physics. 

The Interdisciplinary Emphasis highlights the science of astronomy, observation and technology. As a major in this emphasis, students receive core training in astronomical sciences, mathematics, applied physics and computational and instrumental technology needed for professions in the space sciences. 

The Physics Emphasis is directed toward students interested in pursuing graduate studies in astrophysics. This emphasis is multidisciplinary in focus with work in physics, mathematics and astronomy. Upon graduation, students should have solid technological training in the space sciences, including mathematical, physical, computational and instrumental expertise.