Astrophysics (Taught)

The Masters in Astrophysics gives you an understanding of the principles and methods of modern astrophysics at a level appropriate for a professional physicist.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics. Accredited MSc programmes automatically meet the master’s level education requirement for Chartered Physicist (CPhys) status. To fully meet the educational requirements for CPhys graduates must also possess an IOP accredited undergraduate degree or equivalent.

• The School plays a world-leading role in the design and operation of the worldwide network of laser interferometers that have detected gravitational waves.

• The School has a major role in the award winning NASA RHESSI X-ray mission studying solar flares and in several other forthcoming international space missions such as ESA’s Solar Orbiter.

• The School of Physics and Astronomy is highly active in research and knowledge transfer projects with industry. Our Masters students have regular opportunities to engage with our industrial collaborators through informal visits, guest lectures and workshops.

• You will also benefit from our membership of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. The alliance brings together internationally leading physics research across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK.

• You will gain the theoretical, observational and computational skills necessary to analyse and solve advanced astrophysics problems, providing you with an excellent foundation for a career of scientific leadership in academia or industry.

• You will develop transferable skills that will improve your career prospects, such as project management, team-working, advanced data analysis, problem-solving, critical evaluation of scientific literature, advanced laboratory and computing skills, and how to effectively communicate with different audiences.

• You will benefit from direct contact with our group of international experts who will teach you cutting-edge physics and supervise your projects.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Modes of delivery of the MSc in Astrophysics include lectures, seminars and tutorials and allow students the opportunity to take part in lab, project and team work.

The programme draws upon a wide range of advanced Masters-level courses. You will have the flexibility to tailor your choice of optional courses and project work to a variety of specific research topics and their applications in the area of astrophysics. Please note: some courses are only offered on alternate years (indicated in brackets after the course).

Core Courses Include:
ADVANCED DATA ANALYSIS FOR PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
GENERAL RELATIVITY AND GRAVITATION
GRAVITATIONAL WAVE DETECTION
PLASMA THEORY AND DIAGNOSTICS

PULSARS AND SUPERNOVAE
RESEARCH SKILLS
STATISTICAL ASTRONOMY
THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE
MSC PROJECT

Optional Courses Include:
QUANTUM AND ATOM OPTICS
COSMOLOGY
DYNAMICS, ELECTRODYNAMICS & RELATIVITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY 2
EXPLORING PLANETARY SYSTEMS
GALAXIES
HELIOPHYSICS AND STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
INSTRUMENTS FOR OPTICAL AND RADIO ASTRONOMY

STATISTICAL MECHANICS
STELLAR STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION

CAREER PROSPECTS
Career opportunities include academic research, based in universities, research institutes, observatories and laboratory facilities; industrial research in a wide range of fields including energy and the environmental sector, IT and semiconductors, optics and lasers, materials science, telecommunications, engineering; banking and commerce; higher education.