Course Description
This four-year programme offers an additional year of study on top of the Astrophysics BSc, during which students have the opportunity to specialise further by taking advanced optional modules, and undertaking a research project.
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The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and includes the very latest developments and discoveries in the field, based on our highly rated research.
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Collaborative links with both industry and international research laboratories provide insight into the practical application of your studies.
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You will undertake practical work at the UCL (UCLO) and benefit from our close association with the Royal Astronomical Society.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics. Holders of accredited degrees can follow a route to Institute of Physics membership and the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) professional qualification. Graduates of accredited Integrated Master's (MPhys or MSci) degrees have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys status, while graduates of accredited Bachelor's (BSc) degrees have partially fulfilled these requirements.
Course Content
Year 1
Core or compulsory module(s)
Year 1: All first-year modules are compulsory – 120 credits at Level 4 in total
PHAS0003 Practical Skills 1A (Astronomy) (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0004 Atoms, Stars and the Universe (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0005 Waves, Optics and Acoustics (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0006 Thermal Physics and the Properties of Matter (level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0007 Practical Physics and Computing 1 (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0002 Mathematical Methods I (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0009 Mathematical Methods II (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0010 Classical Mechanics (Level 4) 15 credits
PHAS0017 Developing Effective Communications 1 (non-credit, but will appear in student’s transcript)
Optional modules
All first-year modules are compulsory.
Year 2
Core or compulsory module(s)
Year 2: 120 credits at Level 5 in total
Compulsory modules (105 credits)
PHAS0021 Electricity and Magnetism (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0018 Astrophysical Processes: Nebulae to Stars (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0019 Planetary Science (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0020 Practical Astrophysics and Computing (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0022 Quantum Physics (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0024 Statistical Physics of Matter (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0025 Mathematical Methods III (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0035 Developing Effective Communications 2 (non-credit, but will appear in student’s transcript)
Optional modules
You will select 15 credits in total from options that may include the following (choices must be approved by your Programme Tutor)
XBKB0023 Astrobiology (Level 5) 15 credits
MATH0043 Mathematics for Physics and Astronomy (Level 5) 15 credits
PHAS0027 Environmental Physics (Level 5) 15 credits
Year 3
Core or compulsory module(s)
Year 3 - 120 credits (at least 90 credits at Level 6)
Compulsory modules (75 credits)
PHAS0036 The Physics of Stars (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0037 Physical Cosmology Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0043 Practical Astronomy 1 – Techniques Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0046 Interstellar Physics Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0047 Astronomical Spectroscopy Level 6) 15 credits
Optional modules
You will select one of the following
PHAS0044 Practical Astronomy 2 Applications (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0113 Astrophysics Group Project (Level 6) 15 credits (module code to be confirmed)
You will select 30 credits in total from options that may include the following (choices must be approved by your Programme Tutor)
GEOL0022 Physics of Oceans, Ice Sheets and Climate (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0038 Electromagnetic Theory (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0040 Nuclear and Particle Physics (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0042 Quantum Mechanics (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0050 Energy and Climate (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0049 Theory of Dynamical Systems (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0056 Scientific Computing Using Object Oriented Languages (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0057 Physics of the Earth (Level 6) 15 credits
MATH0025 Mathematics for General Relativity (Level 6) 15 credits
Year 4
Core or compulsory module(s)
Year 4: 120 credits at level 7 in total
Compulsory module (45 credits)
PHAS0096 Astrophysics Project (45 credits) (Level 7)
Optional modules
You will select 75 credits in total from options that may include the following (choices must be approved by your Programme Tutor)
PHAS0063 Planetary Atmospheres (Level 7) 15 credits
PHAS0064 Solar Physics (Level 7) 15 credits
PHAS0098 High Energy Astrophysics (Level 7) 15 credits
PHAS0067 Advanced Physical Cosmology (Level 7) 15 credits
PHAS0065 Galaxy dynamics, formation and evolution (Level 7) 15 credits
PHAS0068 Physics of Exoplanets (Level 7) 15 credits
MATH0079 Cosmology (Level 7) 15 credits
Entry Requirements
A Levels
Grades
AAA
Subjects
Mathematics and Physics required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
Contextual offer
Grades
AAB (more about contextual offers)
Subjects
A in Mathematics and Physics required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB Diploma
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including Mathematics and Physics at grade 6, with no score below 5.
Contextual offer
Points
36 (more about contextual offers)
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including Mathematics and Physics at grade 6, with no score below 5.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Assessment Methods
Assessment will normally involve end-of-year examinations, and an element of assessed coursework. For practical work you will be continuously assessed.
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