加州理工学院天文学研究生课程旨在为学生做好天文学研究方面的创造性和生产性职业的准备，并培训该领域的下一代领导者。尽管我们绝大多数的研究生来自大学本科天文学或物理学专业，但其中一些具有工程学等相关专业。除了直接被天文学录取的学生之外，对天文学有兴趣的物理学专业的学生可以与天文学或物理系一起进行研究。相反地​​，天文学的学生也可以利用这个机会与任何一个系的老师一起工作。在天体物理学中，我们努力理解控制宇宙，其组成及其演化的物理过程。我们使用物理学的仪器和方法来收集和解释数据并进行理论研究。加州理工学院天文学的
The Caltech Astronomy graduate program aims to prepare students for creative and productive careers in astrophysical research and to train the next generation of leaders in the field. While the vast majority of our graduate students come from undergraduate astronomy or physics programs, some arrive with related majors such as engineering. In addition to those admitted directly to Astronomy, students in Physics who have astrophysical interests may conduct research with Astronomy or Physics faculty. Conversely, Astronomy students may also take the opportunity to work with faculty in either department. Also during their first or second year, students focusing on observational astronomy take the Astronomical Measurements and Instrumentation sequence and four courses in physics or another appropriate subject. Theory students, on the other hand, select six classes in physics, mathematics, or other applicable fields. All first-year students participate in Introduction to Modern Research which exposes them to available research opportunities.