Key facts
Details for course being taught in current academic year
Level M - 15 credits - autumn and spring terms
E-learning links
Resources
Course description
Course outline
This course provides students with key academic and technical skills required for academic research into Astronomy but widely applicable in other spheres. This is an adaptable, modular course, which can be tailored to the specific programme or students. The primary focus will be to give the basic skills required to best succeed at the final-year project, MSc dissertation or start of DPhil thesis. A portfolio of options will be agreed between the student, convenor and relevant supervisor. Many modules will be structured to be carried out at the students own pace. Each module will specify the number of workshops associated with it and contribute a specific piece of assessable material with a specified, weighted, contribution to the portfolio. Modules will be marked by the course tutors. When assembled into the POF the final mark will be determined with a double blind conflation.
E.g. modules for Astronomy students
1. Basic astronomical concepts (suitable for new astronomers)
2. Distances in astronomy and cosmology
3. Introduction to the Interactive Data Language (IDL)
4. Conducting a literature review
5. Typseting in Latex
6. Key research papers
7. Reviewing telescope proposals
8. Constructing and astronomical observing programme
9. Bayesian methods in astronomy
10. Essay on selected topic.
11. Introduction to TOPCAT
12. Emacs, beyond the basics
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to:
- Demonstrate research skills appropriate for masters level
- Demonstrate basic skills needed in preparation for DPhil, MSc or final-year project
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Individual Review | Spring Week 1 | 7.00% |
| Portfolio | Spring Week 10 | 93.00% |
Resit mode of assessment
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Summer Vacation | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
Teaching methods
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | SEMINAR | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
| Spring Term | SEMINAR | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
| Autumn Term | WORKSHOP | 2 hours | 1111111111 |
| Spring Term | WORKSHOP | 2 hours | 1111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Contact details
Prof Peter Thomas
Assess convenor, Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/profile2672.html
Prof Seb Oliver
Assess convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/profile91548.html