When Do You Earn the Title of Cosmologist?

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SUMMARY

The title of "cosmologist" is not formally defined by a specific degree or certification but is generally associated with individuals who have specialized in cosmology through research and publication. Typically, cosmologists hold advanced degrees, such as a PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or Astrophysics, and are recognized by their contributions to the field, including highly cited papers and invitations to speak at conferences. The distinction between departments varies by university, with some having dedicated Astronomy or Astrophysics departments, while others include cosmology within Physics. Ultimately, the title is earned through professional recognition rather than formal designation.

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  • Understanding of advanced degrees in Physics, Astronomy, or Astrophysics
  • Familiarity with research publication processes and citation metrics
  • Knowledge of departmental structures within universities
  • Basic grasp of cosmological concepts and terminology
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Students and professionals in the fields of Physics, Astronomy, and Astrophysics, as well as individuals interested in pursuing a career in cosmology or understanding the academic landscape of the discipline.

Xyooj
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when do a person earn that title?

is it self-appointed or does the person has to have done something in that field? and what is considered the field of cosmology as it is a bit from relativity to quantum mechanics?
 
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Google would be a good start... :rolleyes:
 
A cosmologist is a mathematician with an interest in physics at large scales. The observational evidence is thin and open to interpretation - the perfect setting for a highly disciplined scientist.
 
Xyooj said:
when do a person earn that title?
...

When you say title it sounds like you are talking about degrees, like PhD, and professorship ranks. It has institutional connotations.

Some universities have a separate department of Astronomy, or a department of Astrophysics, which is separate from the main Physics department. In other universities Astronomy is included in the Physics department.

So in some cases you would just get a PhD in Physics and you would then do your research in cosmology. Cosmology would be your specialization. there is not always a separate TITLE for a research specialty. People would get to know that your special interest was cosmology after you had published some papers in that field.

If you got to be promoted to a professorship, then you would be Professor of Physics, or Professor of Astronomy, depending on how the departments were organized. But you would not normally have a title like "Professor of Cosmology".
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The people I think of as cosmologists are people whose work I know, the ones I see being invited to give the featured talks about cosmology at conferences, and being invited to write the major survey papers reviewing the progress in their specialty. They are usually the ones whose papers are highly cited by other researchers in that field.

I don't think there is an official certificate. It is just a type of astronomer.
 
marcus said:
Some universities have a separate department of Astronomy, or a department of Astrophysics, which is separate from the main Physics department. In other universities Astronomy is included in the Physics department.
...or in some universities Astronomy is a part of the mathematics department :wink:

To the OP: I think marcus gives quite a good description of whom would be considered a professional cosmologist.
 
marcus said:
The people I think of as cosmologists are people whose work I know, the ones I see being invited to give the featured talks about cosmology at conferences, and being invited to write the major survey papers reviewing the progress in their specialty. They are usually the ones whose papers are highly cited by other researchers in that field.

I'm assuming you're using "I" to mean "I and other gurus like me". Otherwise the title has gone to your head :smile: But if so, by your definition, Friedmann was not a cosmologist for most of the 1920s.
 
Friedman also wasn't alive for most of the 1920s.
 

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