BSc Honours in Astrophysics

• Awarding institution
• Teaching institution
• Programme accredited by
• Final award
• Programme title
• UCAS code
• Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group
• Postholder with overall responsibility for QA
• Date of production/revision
• External summary
• Education aims of programme

• Programme Outcomes
• Knowledge and understanding
• Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry
• Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy
• Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication
• Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness
• Technical/practical skills

• Programme structure and features
• Teaching and learning methods and strategies
• Assessment methods and strategies
• Career opportunities
• Other items

External Summary

Astrophysics is the fundamental human endeavour to understand the structure and evolution of the Universe. Its scope runs from planets, stars and galaxies, to the origins, constituents and fate of the Universe itself. Our aim is to guide you through this territory; to share with you our enthusiasm for it; and to equip you with a range of thinking and practical skills which you will need if your subsequent career is in Astrophysics, and which you will value even if it is not.

Studying Astrophysics at Edinburgh allows students to develop:

• knowledge and understanding of the astrophysical world and the underlying mathematical methodologies used to describe it;
• knowledge of frontier activities capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment based at the Institute of Astronomy and Royal Observatory;
• the attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking and the capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and explore them algebraically, graphically, and numerically;
• an understanding of astronomical observations and  critical evaluation of experimental data;
• the skills required for employment in science-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers.

Educational Aims of Programme

The educational aims of the Astrophysics programme at Edinburgh are:

• to provide a degree programme with flexibility and choice, accommodating a range of entrance qualifications and experience;
• to provide a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles underpinnings of physics and astrophysics;
• to provide a thorough grounding in observational techniques and the critical analysis of experimental data;
• to provide a balanced training in the methodologies of modern physics and astrophysics, including numerical and computation methods;
• to develop general transferable skills related to IT & computing, problem-solving and communication;
• to provide a platform for employment in science-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By engaging with and completing a degree in Astrophysics, graduates will acquire knowledge and understanding of:       

• the core knowledge base of Physics and Astrophysics comprising: Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Special Relativity, Observational Astronomy, Stellar Evolution, and Astrophysical Cosmology.
• a balanced training in the methodologies of modern theoretical and observational astrophysics.

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Research and Enquiry

The degree programme aims to develop:

• the attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking;
• a capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and explore them algebraically, graphically, and numerically;
• the ability to harness these skills in tandem with the core knowledge base to solve problems;
• the ability to assimilate and evaluate advanced literature from a range of diverse sources;
• the ability to critically analyse experimental data and compare mathematical or computational predictions.

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy

The degree programme aims to develop:

• a disposition to approach unfamiliar situations with a spirit of critical enquiry;
• the ability to formulate a physical problem using the appropriate mathematical or experimental methodologies;

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Communication

The degree programme aims to develop the skills to:          

• formulate a coherent written and oral presentation based on material gathered and organised independently on a given astrophysics topic;
• formulate a mathematical argument or analysis of experimental data and communicate this effectively to peers and educators;
• function effectively as a member or leader of a team working towards a joint report and presentation.

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness

The degree programme aims to develop:

• the ability to collaborate effectively and productively with others in the process of inquiry and learning including those with a range of backgrounds and knowledge;
• the ability to organise their own independent learning to an effective schedule;
• a commitment to manage time effectively, utilise resources and meet deadlines;

Programme outcomes: Technical/Practical skills

The degree programme aims to develop: 

• a confident facility with general IT resources (WWW for learning and information retrieval; e-mail and bulletin boards for communication; word-processing for document preparation);
• a facility with the Unix operating system;
• scientific programming skills in Python;
• numerical programming and computer simulation techniques;
• computer algebra and symbolic manipulation;
• the ability to analyse experimental data and assess what can be inferred from it in the light of theoretical expectations and experimental uncertainties;

Programme Structure and Features

Teaching and Learning Methods and Strategies

The bulk of the teaching programme is conducted through lectures; the class sizes vary from about 250 in pre-honours courses to about 10 in Senior Honours optional courses. This teaching is supported through tutorial sessions and supervised workshops in which students work in groups of about 5; and through study resources generally delivered through WWW. These resources vary in extent and character; they invariably include a detailed syllabus, reading list and problem-set; in some instances they incorporate substantial multimedia material including self-tests and illustrative simulations. First years and Direct Entry specific courses offer extensive student support to assist the transition into higher education and develop independent learning skills. These include the use of an in-lecture feedback system, peer assisted learning, tailored problem sheets and extensive student ??? tutor feedback in extended workshops classes. Computing/IT courses are conducted through supervised sessions in dedicated teaching laboratories in groups of 10-50. Group Projects typically involve teams of about 5 students working largely autonomously.

Innovative Learning Week
The University of Edinburgh Innovative Learning Week is scheduled in Week 6 of Semester 2.  During this week ???normal??? teaching is suspended, providing the opportunity for staff and students to explore new learning activities.  Some examples of the types of activities held in Physics and Astronomy are workshops, peer assisted learning activities, public engagement activities and careers events.

Assessment Methods and Strategies

Each course has its own assessment criteria appropriate to the specified Learning Outcomes of the course as detailed in the on-line course specification. All courses are assessed using the University Common Marking Scheme. Typical modes of assessment through the programme are detailed below:

Pre-Honours: (first and second year)

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are assessed by end of course written unseen examinations with typical weight of 80% being augmented by weekly hand-in assignments typically weighted at 20%. These are marked throughout the semester and returned with feedback comments typically within 10 days of submission. All semester 1 pre-honours lecture based courses offered examination feedback workshops as the start of semester 2 where student can view their marked scripts and receive personal feedback from the course staff. Class performance and common error feedback on semester 2 examinations are supplied via the School intranet.

Practical and computing classes are assigned by continuous assessment either via written submitted reports, laboratory notebooks or, for computing classes, specified checkpoints assessed by during the assigned workshop classes. All submitted reports and notebooks are returned with written feedback, and students receive verbal feedback and advice on computer checkpoints from the assessors.

Honours:

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are mainly assessed by either end of course, or end of year written examinations (unseen). Core courses at Junior Honours are augmented by periodic hand-ins with a typical weight of 10% which are marked throughout the course are returned as with written feedback. The reduction in frequency and weight of these hand-ins compared to pre-honours encouraged students to take responsibility for their own learning and time management. In courses with no course work students are encouraged to attempt course questions in advance and seek feedback on their work at the course workshops/tutorials. All students have access to their marked examination scripts via the School Teaching Office.

Practical and computing courses at Junior Honours are assessed as at pre-honours with for experimental laboratory an additional short oral presentation on which feedback is given. Project work as Senior Honours is assessed via laboratory performance, written report and poster presentation; written feedback is given on all aspects. Group exercises in Research Methods, Team Review and the Group Project are assessed by a written group report, group presentation and peer moderation (feedback is provided on all aspects).

Career Opportunities

Academic and Student Advisers

Further Information