Skip to main content

main content begins

Dunlap Institute Summer School – Introduction to Astronomical Instrumentation

Please note that the next Dunlap Institute Summer School will take place during the Summer of 2025. Please check back in late 2024 to receive the latest dates and information regarding the Summer School.  

  • Learn basic principles of radio, infrared, optical and x-ray instrumentation
  • Learn how detectors and spectrographs work
  • Learn in lecture and laboratory sessions
  • Learn from international leaders in the field of astronomical instrumentation
  • Learn about a career in instrumentation
  • Work with students from around the world
  • Attend a professional development/mentoring session

 

 

Registration Fee: $600

Accommodations, breakfasts and lunches included

Travel grants and tuition wavier available

APPLICATION AND TRAVEL SUBSIDY DEADLINE: MARCH 17th, 2023

Program description: 

The dates for the 2023 Dunlap Institute Summer School are August 8th-11th, inclusive. The Dunlap Institute’s summer school provides a unique introduction to cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation for current and future telescope facilities.

The school is designed around both lecture and hands-on laboratory activities led by astronomers from around the world who specialize in the development of astronomical instruments. The program will introduce students to the basic principles of optics, spectrographs and detectors, as well as to advanced topics in instrument design and development. It includes a focus on laboratory, computer and data acquisition skills. Students also participate in career development sessions.

The summer school is aimed toward students who have finished at least the third year of an undergraduate program, or are in the early years of a graduate program, and have a background in astronomy, physics or engineering.

Registration fee and travel funding:

The registration fee is $600. Travel subsidies and registration-fee waivers available. Students requesting a travel subsidy are asked to submit actual costs and not estimates; costs should be in Canadian dollars.

While the Dunlap Institute is able to provide travel support to some students, we strongly encourage all students to explore sources of funding from their home institutes or countries. Many universities offer poorly advertised student travel support in the form of bursaries, grants or scholarships. This support is often available through a local Dean’s office, Faculty office, graduate student union or school of graduate studies.

Entrance Requirements:

The summer school is aimed toward students who have finished at least the third year of an undergraduate program, or are in the early years of a graduate program, and have a background in astronomy, physics or engineering.

Potential students will be asked to provide a short 500 word paragraph expressing their interest in the summer school, as well as a current transcript as part of their application.  (An unofficial transcript will suffice.).

Instructors:

Every year, instructors include leading instrumentation and observational astronomers from the Dunlap Institute, U of T’s David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics (DADDAA), and from Canadian, U.S. and international institutions.

Still have a question?

Contact us at summer.school@dunlap.utoronto.ca

Or visit our FAQ page for a list of commonly asked questions.