Areas of specialization include, but are not restricted to: the experimental, observational, and theoretical study of planetary atmospheres in the solar system and elsewhere; the surfaces and interiors of planets and planetary satellites; asteroid and cometary astronomy and physics; the study of meteorites and returned samples of extraterrestrial bodies; problems of plasma physics associated with cosmic rays; the solar wind and its interaction with solar system bodies; celestial dynamics; solar physics; and investigations of the formation of the solar system and other planetary systems.

On the way to completing the Ph.D., students may choose to pursue coursework for a Graduate Certificate (PDF) in other related topics.