Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

To provide students with an opportunity to develop insight into the key principles and applications of Astronomy Laboratory 1, and their relevance to current developments in astronomy.

Timetable 11.30am-5pm

This course is normally only open to students who meet the requirements for entry, or progression, for a degree programme which includes Astronomy Laboratory 1 as an elective or compulsory course.

Astronomy Laboratory 1 is a compulsory course for the following degree programmes:

BSc (Honours) Physics with Astrophysics, MSci Physics with Astrophysics

Astronomy Laboratory 1 is an elective course for the following degree programmes:

BSc (Designated) Physics, BSc (Designated) Combined Physics, BSc (Designated) Physics with Astrophysics

Astronomy Laboratory 1 is a prohibited course for the following degree programmes:

BSc (Honours) Physics, BSc (Honours) Combined Physics, BSc (Honours) Chemical Physics, MSci Physics, MSci Theoretical Physics, MSci Combined Physics, MSci Chemical Physics, MSci Chemical Physics with Work Placement

Astronomy Skills 1

Laboratory 100% (of which lab report 75%, practical skills 25%)

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

To present an integrated course of study providing students with knowledge and understanding of the astrophysical universe, and of the methods and principles of astrophysical enquiry. To provide training and experience in the principles and practice of astronomical observation and measurement and in the reduction and analysis of observational data. To develop the students' ability to work effectively, singly and in small groups.

By the end of the course, students will be able to: programme straightforward procedures in a high level computer language, or use professional-level astronomical software, to solve astrophysical problems and analyse data from astronomical sources; plan and execute experimental investigations of physical processes using both bench and astronomical equipment; evaluate uncertainties inherent in experimental measurements; make a critical analysis and draw valid conclusions from the results of experimental investigations; write clear and concise reports in a scientific style, containing a full description of the aims, methods, outcomes and conclusions of a piece of laboratory work.