Bachelor's degree

In Liverpool

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Liverpool

  • Duration

    4 Years

Facilities

Location

Start date

Liverpool (Merseyside)
See map

Start date

On request

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Course programme

Course Structure

The BSc (Hons) Physics with Astronomy and MPhys Astrophysics degrees are based upon the University of Liverpool BSc/MPhys Physics (F300/303) with certain areas of specialised physics replaced by topics in astrophysics. About 60% of the content is common to both subjects with the emphasis on astrophysics increasing as students progress through the course. Students may transfer between the Astronomy/Astrophysics and BSc/MPhys Physics programmes at the end of Year 1.

Years 1 and 2 of the MPhys Astrophysics course are identical to those of BSc (Hons) Physics with Astronomy but the courses diverge in content in Year 3 with MPhys students undertaking an additional fourth year of study. Students registered for MPhys must achieve a threshold average mark at the end of Year 2 in order to progress to Year 3, otherwise they will move to Year 3 of BSc (Hons). This threshold mark is set by the Department. Students registered for the BSc (Hons) route may transfer to MPhys at the end of Year 2 if they achieve this threshold average. Any student registered for the MPhys route may transfer to the BSc (Hons) at the end of Year 2.

Year 1 (BSc & MPhys)

Mechanics
Astronomy Fundamentals
Electricity & Magnetism
Mathematics
Mathematical Methods
Practical Techniques in Physics
Intro to Relativity & Quantum Physics
Computing Techniques in Physics
Thermal Physics
Further Practical Physics
Waves & Optics

Year 2 (BSc & MPhys)

Thermodynamics
Electromagnetism
Quantum & Atomic Physics
Nuclei, Molecules & Solids
Astronomical Techniques
Waves & Related Phenomena
Mechanics & Relativity
Stellar Astrophysics
Field Theory & Partial Differential Equations

Year 3 (BSc only)

Quantum Mechanics & Atomic Physics
Galaxies
Nuclear & Particle Physics
BSc Physics with Astronomy Project
Advanced Observational Astronomy
Option
Relativity & Cosmology
Option 2

Year 3 BSc Students will be required to choose a project from a list of Astrophysics topics. An optional Astrophysics module Further Stellar Astrophysics is available in addition to those already offered to BSc Physics students i.e. Nuclear Energy & Environmental Radiation, Surface Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Advanced Practical Physics and Advanced Electromagnetism.

Year 3 (MPhys only)

Quantum Mechanics & Atomic Physics
Further Stellar Astrophysics
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Modelling Astrophysical Phenomena
Advanced Observational Astronomy
Galaxies
Relativity & Cosmology
Option

The Year 3 MPhys Astrophysics option is to be drawn from Nuclear Energy & Environmental Radiation, Surface Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Advanced Practical Physics, Advanced Electromagnetism and Advanced Quantum Physics.

Year 4 (MPhys only)

Computational Astrophysics
Communication of Astrophysical Ideas
The Interstellar Medium
Option 1
Research Skills
Option 2
MPhys Astrophysics Project

Year 4 MPhys students will be required to choose a Project from a list of Astrophysics topics. The options are to be drawn from Nuclear Energy & Environmental Radiation, Surface Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Advanced Practical Physics, Advanced Electromagnetism, Advanced Quantum Physics, Chaos Theory & Dynamical Astronomy, Relativity, Stochastic Processes & Statistical Mechanics, Introduction to Methods of Applied Mathematics, Physics of Atmosphere & Ocean, Statistical & Low Temperature Physics, Topics in Advanced Physics, Instrumentation & IT and Semiconductor Physics & Electronics.

Aims, objectives and learning outcomes

The primary aims of the BSc Honours degree in Physics with Astronomy are:

  • To stimulate the student's enthusiasm for the study of physical science.
  • To provide an integrated programme which brings together those elements of physics, astronomy, mathematics and computing necessary for a student to develop a broad, up-to-date understanding of the physical universe.
  • To prepare students for careers in fields which build upon a basic training in the principles and methods of physics.
  • Further to these general aims a number of learning outcomes may also be identified. On completing the programme students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods of physics.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the principles of astronomy and the manner in which observation is used to develop astronomical theory.
  • Demonstrate a range of mathematical skills and the ability to use mathematics in reasoning; use computers and information technology with competence.
  • Understand the close interaction between the disciplines of physics, astronomy, mathematics and computing.
  • Use the acquired intellectual skills with confidence in problem solving, particularly in unfamiliar situations.
  • Demonstrate practical skills, particularly with optical and astronomical instrumentation; work both independently and as part of a team; communicate scientific ideas effectively, both orally and in written work.
  • The primary aims of the MPhys degree in Astrophysics are:
  • To stimulate the student's enthusiasm for the study of physical science.
  • To provide an integrated programme which brings together those elements of physics, astronomy, mathematics and computing necessary for a student to develop a broad, up-to-date understanding of the physical universe.
  • To prepare students either for a career as a professional physicist in fields which involve the application of the principles and methods of physics or for direct entry into both observational and theoretical postgraduate research.
  • The learning outcomes of the MPhys are the same as for the BSc but, additionally, upon completion of the MPhys programme students will be able to:
  • Use advanced computational methods in the study of modern astrophysics; critically evaluate attempts to communicate ideas and results in astrophysics at all levels; apply the basic tools and methodology of research to open-ended problems in astrophysics.

Admissions requirements and application procedure

Application is via the usual UCAS system under the codes F3F5 BSc/Asphy for the 3-year BSc(Hons) route or F521 MPhys/Aph for the 4-year MPhys route.
Applications can be made either to The University of Liverpool (institution code L41, code name LVRPL) or Liverpool John Moores University (code L51 code name LJM), these will be processed in an identical manner.
Typical offers for entry to the degree courses are:
BSc (Hons) Physics with Astronomy:

A2-level grades of B in Physics, B in Mathematics and B in another subject.

MPhys Astrophysics:

A2-level grades of A in Physics, B in Mathematics and B in another subject or B in Physics, A in Mathematics and B in another subject.
Applications from those offering a mixture of 'A' and 'AS' level qualifications such as BTEC Higher National Certificates or Diplomas, and from mature students taking an ACCESS course at an FE college will also be considered. Mathematics support modules are provided for ACCESS students or those accepted without 'A' level Mathematics.
The normal literacy and numeracy requirements for the Faculty of Science are a Grade C or above in GCSE in both English and Mathematics or their equivalents.

Undergraduate Degree in Astronomy

Price on request