Astrophysics (MSc)

How will I be taught?

At Cardiff we provide dedicated taught master’s teaching facilities including a dedicated teaching laboratory, seminar and meeting rooms and quiet study space. PCs for the exclusive use of the taught master’s cohort are provided throughout.

Our MSc programmes are designed around the central idea of building a taught master’s community which works together as a group to enhance learning.  This innovative design was presented to the wider UK Higher Education Teaching Specialist Community at the Variety in Chemistry Education / Physics Education (ViCE/PHEC) Conference in 2016 alongside our undergraduate and outreach innovations. You can therefore be assured that your MSc course has been designed and implemented with reference to the latest developments in educational research and methodology.

The methods of teaching we employ will vary from module to module, as appropriate depending on the backgrounds of the students present, the subject matter and the method(s) of assessment. Our teaching contact time is typically a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group sessions and practicals.

From the outset of the autumn term, we will introduce you to our dedicated teaching facilities, open-access areas and our research laboratories. This will allow you to easily integrate into the School community. Our MSc cohort also meets regularly as a group to discuss research topics, present papers and to tackle group exercises and undergo advanced practical skills training together.

We will allocate both a supervisor and mentor to you for your summer research project. Usually your supervisor will be a member of academic staff with an internationally-recognised expertise in the field of research. You will meet regularly with your supervisor and their group throughout your project. Your project mentor is an impartial member of academic staff who will monitor your progress, provide advice and ensure the smooth running of your summer research project.

How will I be assessed?

Your achievement of the learning outcomes in our taught modules will be assessed in examinations each semester.

Your research project at the end of the course will be assessed through a dissertation. Your research topic can be chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff, usually in areas of current research interest. You are also encouraged to put forward your own project idea.

How will I be supported?

All of our students are allocated a personal tutor when they enrol on the course. A personal tutor is there to support you during your studies, and can advise you on academic and personal matters that may be affecting you. You should have regular meetings with your personal tutor to ensure that you are fully supported.

You will have access to the Trevithick Library, which holds our collection of physics and astrophysics resources, as well as resources from Engineering and Computer Sciences disciplines.

We will provide you with a copy of the Student Handbook, which contains details of the School’s policies and procedures. We also support students through the University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central, where you can ask questions in a forum or find course-related documents.

Cardiff University also offers a wide range of support services which are open to our students, such as the Graduate Centre, counselling and wellbeing, financial and careers advisors, the international office and the Student Union.

Feedback

We offer written and oral feedback, depending on the coursework or assessment you have undertaken. You will usually receive timely feedback from the module leader. If you have questions regarding your feedback, module leaders are usually happy to give advice and guidance on your progress.

What skills will I practise and develop?

• Understand the fundamental laws and principles of physics, and be able to apply them to variety of areas in astronomy and astrophysics.
• Possess a working knowledge of a variety of experimental, mathematical and computational techniques applicable to current research within astrophysics.
• Understand the limitations of current knowledge, and technologies and the need to gain new knowledge through further study.
• Know how to plan, execute and report the results of an investigation or experiment and to analyse and evaluate its outcomes in relation to underlying current theories.
• Have the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas, the conclusions of an experiment, investigation or project concisely, accurately and informatively.