Why Choose Michigan Astronomy?

Opportunity: We put students first. Always. New students do research from day one. All students are encouraged to lead observing programs that utilize our two 6.5m Magellan telescopes. Observations related to Ph.D. projects get prioritized access. Students also get prioritized access to our top-flight computing clusters. Michigan students have unrivaled opportunities to use premier telescopes and computing facilities.

Breadth: Observational and theoretical research in the department spans every important and emerging area in astrophysics, including cosmology, dark energy, dark matter, gravitational waves, black holes, star and planet formation, structure formation, feedback, large-scale surveys, dynamics, astrochemistry and astrobiology, interferometry, instrumentation, and more.

Energy: We have hired 6 new faculty since 2005, and complementing an already productive and innovative faculty. No other department has been able to hire as many excellent scientists in that time. Our faculty is both energetic and experienced, and eager to work with top students.

Vision: Faculty and students are involved in cutting-edge research programs in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics. Some faculty have helped to design current observatories, and other faculty and students are designing and shaping new observatories and programs. Student training at Michigan is forward-looking.

Success: Current students have recently won NSF and NESSF predoctoral fellowships, among many other awards. Recent graduate students have won highly prized Hubble, Chandra/Einstein, and NSF postdoctoral fellowships.

Size: We are the ideal size. With 16 full-time faculty, 25 research scientists and postdocs, and 30 graduate students, ample oversight and support are available. Every student is known to - and supported by - every member of the department.

Impact: A 2008 study investigating the impact of astrophysical research carried out at major universities ranked Michigan Astronomy as 6th in the nation. The University of Michigan is ranked 15th among world universities by the 2010 Times of London Higher Education supplement. And a 2010 Wall Street Journal poll of recruiters ranks graduates of the University of Michigan as 6th nationally.