Topic outline

  • General

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    Cygnus Wall by amateur astronomer Chuck Ayoub

  • Aims of the Programme

    • We aim to:

      1. Teach physics of high quality within an excellent research environment;
      2. Recruit students able to benefit from a university education;
      3. Provide a Programme that enables students with a variety of educational backgrounds to pursue physics as a subject;
      4. Provide access to such variety of modules, including those from other disciplines, as to enable students to tailor their studies to their own needs and interests;
      5. Instill in our students an understanding of the working of the physical world;
      6. Encourage students to develop transferable skills that are applicable to a variety of careers;
      7. Provide a Programme that prepares students, where appropriate, for a range of professional careers in physics.
      8. Provide opportunities for students to appreciate the beauty of physics and to develop a desire for learning.

  • How Will You Learn?

    • Our Programme is constructed within a modular course structure in which each student takes eight or nine modules per year. Our overall strategy is to achieve a balance, appropriate to the aims of each course unit, between teaching (lectures; practical laboratory work; small-group tutorials) and learning by students (peer discussion; exercise classes; coursework and essay assignments; independent work in laboratories and computer studies; teach-yourself computer packages and the Internet; videos; textbooks and supplementary reading).

      Exercise classes or laboratories are provided for all compulsory modules which are used to develop the specific skills needed. Two general physics laboratories are used to develop experimental skills, including the acquisition of data and the analysis of uncertainties of observation. In addition students learn to write a scientific account of their experimental observation. Finally, a compulsory independent project is used to develop students' investigative and communication skills.

  • How Will You Be Assessed?

    • Each of module typically comprises 22 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorial time over the course of the year.

      Lectures & Tutorials are given in two 11-week semesters on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (14.00-16.00 lectures, 16.00-17.00 tutorial) and evenings (18.00-18.30 tutorial, 18.30-19.25 lecture, 19.35-20.30 lecture, 20.30-21.00 tutorial).

      So as to allow part time-students to complete two years of study without changing the days they attend, taught modules are swapped in alternate years between day of week and between afternoon and evening. 

      Full-time MSc students must attend all lectures (on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings).

      Part-time MSc students must attend over two years in any schedule as long as they maintain the same schedule in both years - for example:

      • all teaching on Tuesday and Thursday evenings - suitable those in full-time employment
      • all teaching on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons - suitable those unavailable on evenings
      • all teaching on Tuesdays (afternoon and evening) on either Tuesdays or Thursdays - suitable those who want to minimise travel costs
      • all teaching on Thursdays (afternoon and evening) on either Tuesdays or Thursdays - suitable those who want to minimise travel costs

      As each module moves Tue<=>Thu and afternoon<=>evening in alternate years any of these options allow all 8 modules to be taken over a 2-year period.

      Modules are chosen in consultation with the MSc Astrophysics Programme Director.

  • How is the Programme Structured?

    • The Certificate programme, which starts in late September, is offered part-time over one year. 

      Lectures & tutorials are given in two 11 week semesters on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (lectures 14.00-16.00, tutorial 16.00-17.00) and evening (tutorial 18.00-18.30, lecture 18.30-19.25, lecture 19.35-20.30, tutorial 20.30-21.00). 

      Certificate students are required to take four taught modules (one module typically comprises 22 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorial time) i.e. 2 of the 4 modules available each semester.

      Certificate students may attend on any schedule - for example

      • all teaching on Tuesday and Thursday evenings    (suitable those in full-time employment)
      • all teaching on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (suitable those in unavailable on evenings)
      • all teaching on Tuesdays (afternoon and evening) (suitable those who want to minimise travel)
      • all teaching on Thursdays (afternoon and evening) (suitable those who want to minimise travel)

      Modules are chosen in consultation with the MSc Astrophysics Programme Director.

  • What Are the Entry Requirements?

    • Students wishing to take the Postgraduate Certificate in Astronomy and Astrophysics should normally have a degree in a subject with a substantial Mathematics and/or Physics content.

      Apply online via Taught Postgraduate Programmes - (which contains information about the supporting documentation required) 

      Enquiries:

      School of Physics and Astronomy Postgraduate Certificate Admissions Tutor: w.j.sutherland@qmul.ac.uk

      School of Physics and Astronomy Recruitment Officer: j.vaca-ortiz@qmul.ac.uk


  • QMUL Model

    • Students are required to undertake the equivalent of one module (15 credits in 2017/18) per year of study which has been identified as meeting the requirements of the QMUL Model. Each of these modules has been designed to combine the best of QMUL's academic excellence with your ability to identify and develop your skills, networks and experience. This will help to ensure you become a graduate who can undertake further study or secure graduate employment in areas that interest you, and will support your ability to position yourself to find the right job or opportunity for you. The relevant module for your first year of study in 2017/18 is indicated below.

      Where more than one module is specified, this is because pertinent elements from these modules have been identified as being appropriate to the QMUL Model and when studied together, deliver the equivalent content of one 15-credit QMUL Model module.

      The QMUL Model modules for future years and associated Learning Outcomes will be identified as your studies continue. Should Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements apply to your programme of study, these will be taken into account in the specification of QMUL Model requirements.

  • Programme Diet

  • Programme-specific Rules and Facts

    • This programme does not follow the standard QM progression criteria. Progression from year one to year two requires a minimum of 105 credits, progression from year two to year three requires a minimum of 210 credits and an average grade above 60% and progression from year three to year four requires a minimum of 300 credits and an average grade above 60%.

      If students fail to reach these academic hurdles they are transferred to the BSc Astrophysics or BSc Physics programme.

      In order to be awarded an MSci students must have passed 420 credits. The final degree classification is determined by the college mark which is a weighted average of the first, second third and fourth year averages in the ratio 1:3:6:6 respectively.