To provide students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the key principles and applications of Astronomy Skills 2, and their relevance to current developments in astronomy.

Timetable 11.30am - 5pm

  Astronomy Laboratory 2

Laboratory 100% (of which lab report 50%, practical skills 17%, viva 33% )

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, to reinforce their individual responsibility for their own learning and understanding and to develop their written communication skills.

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.

Students should be able to: use library and web abstract and article services to conduct an in-depth scientific literature survey of a scientific topic; prepare a written presentation on that topic; apply logical analysis to problem solving; interact positively with colleagues in a small group context; appreciate the nature of open problems.