MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics

What will I study?

We take pride in our student-focused approach to teaching Astrophysics. With one of the best student-staff ratios in the country we are able to put our focus on you as an individual and give you the support that you need to reach your full potential as an Astrophysics graduate. Our graduates are in a wide range of careers, from scientific research to teaching and industry.

We use a variety of teaching methods during our Astrophysics degrees, ranging from small-group tutorials, to lectures and practical classes. A key feature is our observatory at Bayfordbury, where we teach you how to carry out astronomical observations in as close to a professional setting as we can make it. Our typical intake of students is around 50-60 in each year, which means that our class sizes are small enough so that your lecturers will know you by name. We place particular emphasis on transferable skills, employability and project work throughout the degree.

You will meet your personal tutor on a regular basis in small-group tutorials, which are a great way of reinforcing the material that you learn in lectures. We also offer a wide variety of support throughout your degree, from you lecturers, the School’s Maths Centre and peer support from our student proctor scheme.

Extracurricular activities

During your time with us we want you to have the widest opportunities possible to achieve your full potential. So, alongside your studies, we also organise many optional extracurricular activities to help you gain professional Physics experience. We run regular summer placements and internships in our research laboratories, and make our facilities at the Bayfordbury Observatory open to you (once you have passed an accreditation course). Also, as a member of the South East Physics Network (SEPNet), our students have the possibility for summer internships with any of our 8 SEPNet partners.

Level 4

Module

• The Physical Universe
• Mathematical Techniques 1
• Special Relativity and Quantum Physics
• Experimental Physics
• Computational Modelling
• Small Group Tutorial (Level 4)

Level 5

Module

• Mathematical Techniques 2
• Electromagnetism
• Optics and Lasers
• Thermodynamics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Small Group Tutorial (Level 5)
• Career Planning and Development
• Programming
• Professional Teaching Skills
• Numerical Methods
• Differential Equations
• Physics of the Solar System
• Extra-Solar Planets
• Plasma Physics and Fusion Reactors
• Motion and Tensors

Level 6

Module

• Condensed States of Matter
• The Physics of Elementary Particles
• Astrophysics Project and Investigative Skills
• Star Formation and Evolution
• Foundations of Cosmology
• Rocket Performance and Propulsion
• Professional Placement
• Space Dynamics
• Year Abroad
• Computational Physics
• Partial Differential Equations
• Further Numerical Methods
• Nonlinear Systems
• Placement with Study Abroad
• The Physics of Astronomical Spectra
• The Early Universe and Galaxy Formation
• Quantum Optics and Information Theory
• Applied Optics and Photonics
• Lagrangian Dynamics
• Level 7
• Module
• Astrophysics Research Project
• Statistics and Analysis
• CFD Techniques
• Aerospace Aerodynamics
• MRI Science and Principles
• CT Science and Principles
• High Energy Astrophysics
• Relativity and Field Theory
• Galaxy Structure and Evolution
• General Relativity
• Quantum Field Theory
• Nature of the Climate System