ASTRONOMY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This degree offers the opportunity for selection of research topics that include all major areas of Astronomy, from Astrophysics and Cosmology to all components of Space Sciences in general. Co-supervisions of external researchers are favoured, namely through experts in international institutions of which Portugal is a member state, like ESO and ESA.

This degree offers the opportunity for selection of research topics that include all major areas of Astronomy, from Astrophysics and Cosmology to all components of Space Sciences in general. Co-supervisions of external researchers are favoured, namely through experts in international institutions of which Portugal is a member state, like ESO and ESA.

The Program is open both to high quality Portuguese and foreign students who have completed a Master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics or similar fields of science. Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree and have a particularly relevant CV may also be accepted in the Program. Due to the increasingly technological component of the recent astronomy projects, we also aim at attracting students with a diversified background, namely in technology and engineering, systems and control, or informatics, amongst other areas. Astronomy offers them unique and exciting opportunities for further training.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this Doctoral Programme in Astronomy is to train future astronomers. Due to the increasingly technological component of the recent astronomy projects, we also aim at attracting students with a diversified background, namely in technology and engineering, systems and control, or informatics, amongst other areas. Astronomy offers them unique and exciting opportunities for further training.

During this Doctoral Programme and besides the formal training in Astronomy, particular attention is also given to the development of special competences. These will enable the students to address complex problems without a unique solution, or face new situations, or wider contexts which involve a multidisciplinary approach and a close dependence on observational data, instrumentation, mathematics and modelling techniques, data processing and analysis. The aim is to provide effective training in:

• Dealing with complex questions, searching for solutions and taking decisions in situations of limited or incomplete information involving the need to critically evaluate the adequacy of the results, step by step;
• Reflecting on the ethical and social responsibilities associated with the research activity;
• Communicating the results, both to specialists and non-specialists, in a clear and unambiguous manner;
• Interiorizing the need for a lifelong learning attitude in consequence of the fast mutability of knowledge – the frontiers of Astronomy widen up and the perspective of the problems changes whenever new technologies are incorporated, pushing further the limits of observation;
• Contextualizing the role and influence of human kind on the common habitat and the urgency in its preservation.

STRUCTURE

The Doctor’s degree in Astronomy has the duration of six semesters, corresponding to 180 credits ECTS, including:

• a “Specialization” which does not confer a degree, consisting of mandatory units of study, totaling 30 ECTS credits, in the 1st year;
• a component of research training, totaling 150 ECTS credits, which corresponds to:
  • Preparation and presentation, written and oral, of the Project Thesis in Astronomy, with 30 ECTS credits;
  • Approval of a unit of study in Supervised Practice in Research and Teaching in Astronomy, with 10 ECTS credits;
  • Preparation of a Thesis in Astronomy, corresponding to 110 ECTS credits, original and specially prepared for this purpose, to be developed in the second and third years of the cycle of studies.

CURRICULAR PLAN

Click here to view the complete version of the latest study plan.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Holders of a Master’s degree or the legal equivalent in astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, systems whether IT of otherwise, computer science or other areas relevant to astronomy and astronomical equipment and/or the analysis, or management of data and images;
• Holders of a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent with academic or scientific experience of great relevance which has been recognized by the Scientific Board as guaranteeing their ability to successfully complete this cycle of studies;
• Holders of a Bachelor’s degree and/or Master’s degree or the equivalent, who have highly relevant academic or scientific experience recognized by the Scientific Board as sufficient guarantee of their ability to successfully complete this cycle of studies. Candidates must have sufficient spoken and written skills to pursue their studies in English.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The professional with a Doctor’s degree in Astronomy is qualified to take advantage of opportunities for joining various careers where an interdisciplinary training can be an advantage. These career opportunities, in any country of Europe or outside, include, but are not limited to;

• University positions in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, physical sciences in general and in space sciences and technologies.
• Researchers in institutes and research units, national or foreign, including the international organizations of which Portugal is a member state, such as ESO and ESA.
• Highly qualified technicians to support the operation of infrastructure in space sciences, including observatories, space missions and technological development laboratories for space sciences and technologies.
• Professionals in the industry, in general, where the interdisciplinary training is an asset, but in particular in services and technology linked to space that goes from specific software to hardware for detectors and equipment used for observation from ground and space.