On the eve of International Astronomy Day, we are pleased to announce the formation of a new Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics within the School of Physical Sciences. The creation of this new department is also strongly supported by Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, and follows consultation with the Academic Senate, academic deans, relevant department chairs and faculty.
This new department will leverage the University of California’s substantial existing investment in astronomical facilities to support current and future faculty and students to reach their full research and teaching potential. Building on decades of research and educational excellence in astrophysics, the department’s creation will enable UC San Diego to continue leading in this cutting-edge, expanding field.
Research and instruction will cover a broad range of areas, from the evolution of the universe and the first stars to galaxy and planet formation and cosmology. The department will also play a key role in developing instrumentation for the Keck Observatory, Lick Observatory, the Thirty Meter Telescope, the Simons Observatory, and the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI). We also anticipate the department will continue to pursue robust collaboration with researchers in the Physics Department, SIO, HDSI, SDSC and other units.
Currently the department has a roster of 12 distinguished founding faculty members, a growing course catalog and a new Ph.D. program. Over the coming months and years, they will continue to recruit outstanding faculty and graduate students and develop a robust undergraduate program.
We are confident that, through these efforts, the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics has a bright future ahead and will bring continued prestige to UC San Diego.
