headshot of Dan Kasen

Research Bio

Dan Kasen is a professor in the Department of Physics. He received his B.S. from Stanford University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley. Prior to returning to Cal, he was the Alan C. Davis fellow at Johns Hopkins University and a Hubble fellow at UC Santa Cruz. He joined the Berkeley physics faculty in 2010, jointly appointed with the nuclear science division at LBNL.

Research Expertise and Interest

astrophysics, nuclear physics

In the News

Flash-in-the-pan supernovas explained

Most exploding stars flare brightly and then slowly fade over weeks to months, but an unusual group of supernovas noticed only in the last 10 years flare up and disappear within days.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ASTRON 199]  

  • Advanced Study and Research  [ASTRON 299]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [ASTRON C285]  

  • Special Study for Honors Candidates  [ASTRON H195]  

  • Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics  [PHYSICS 112]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [PHYSICS 295]  

  • Research  [PHYSICS 299]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [PHYSICS 602]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [PHYSICS C285]  

2025 Fall

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ASTRON 199]  

  • Advanced Study and Research  [ASTRON 299]  

  • Directed Group Study  [ASTRON 98]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [ASTRON C285]  

  • Special Study for Honors Candidates  [ASTRON H195]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [PHYSICS 295]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [PHYSICS 295]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [PHYSICS 295]  

  • Research  [PHYSICS 299]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [PHYSICS 602]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [PHYSICS C285]  

2025 Summer 2025 Spring

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ASTRON 199]  

  • Advanced Study and Research  [ASTRON 299]  

  • Directed Group Study  [ASTRON 98]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [ASTRON C285]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [PHYSICS 295]  

  • Research  [PHYSICS 299]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [PHYSICS 602]  

  • Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar  [PHYSICS C285]