Astrophysics MPhys (Hons)

Students take the following compulsory modules in their first year:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics 1: covers the structure and evolution of the Sun and other stars, planet formation, star-formation, violent stellar objects, black holes, and the large scale structure of the Universe.
• Physics 1A: covers the core subjects of mechanics, waves and optics, and the physical properties of matter, including laboratory skills.
• Physics 1B: covers an introduction to quantum physics, the mechanics of rotation and gravity, and lasers, including laboratory skills.
• Mathematics: covers the ideas, methods and techniques needed to apply mathematics in the physical sciences or for taking the study of mathematics further.

Students take the following compulsory modules in their second year:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics 2: discusses recent developments in the subject including observational techniques, the structure and evolution of stars, exoplanetary science and galactic astronomy.
• Physics 2A: covers mechanics, special relativity, oscillations and thermal physics, including laboratory skills.
• Physics 2B: covers quantum physics, electricity, magnetism and classical waves, including laboratory skills.
• Linear Mathematics: introduces the basic theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformation and diagonalization.
• Multivariate Calculus: introduces partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, surface sketching, and cylindrical and spherical coordinates.

In Astrophysics third and fourth years you will further develop your knowledge and skills in astrophysics and physics in some or all of the following topics:

• atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
• computational astrophysics
• electromagnetism
• extragalactic astronomy
• observational astrophysics
• the physics of nebulae and stars
• quantum mechanics
• thermal and statistical physics.

You will also take “Transferable Skills for Physicists”, which provides education and practice in advanced written and oral communication skills, problem solving, and teamwork.

During your fifth year, you will take advanced research-led modules. Modules offered in the past include:

• Advanced Data Analysis
• Contemporary Astrophysics
• General Relativity
• Magnetofluids and Space Plasmas
• Monte Carlo Radiation Transfer Techniques.

In your fifth year you will also undertake a major project on an astrophysics topic selected from a list with supervision by a member of academic staff. This project takes half of the study time for the year. The project aims to develop students’ skills in searching the literature and designing the research study, as well as observational techniques, computational modelling, and astronomical data analysis. It aims also to develop skills in the evaluation and interpretation of data, and the presentation of results. The assessed outputs of the project include a literature review, a report on the research carried out, and an oral presentation.