MSc, 1 year full time/2 years part time
Subject overview
Physics and astronomy at Sussex was ranked in the top 5 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013, in the top 10 in the UK in The Sunday Times University Guide 2012, 16th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014 and 21st in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy was rated 12th nationally in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 95 per cent of our research was rated as internationally recognised, and 60 per cent was rated as internationally excellent or higher.
The Department is a founder member of SEPnet, the South East Physics Network of physics departments, which in 2008 received a joint award of £12.5 million to enhance collaboration in graduate teaching and research.
The Astronomy Centre carries out worldleading research in many branches of theoretical and observational astrophysics. Our particular focus is on the early universe, large-scale structure, the high-redshift universe, and galaxy formation and evolution.
Specialist facilities
Theoretical astronomers have access to massively parallel supercomputers in the UK (Durham and Cambridge) and overseas. We also have our own network of high-performance UNIX workstations and servers, and a departmental computer cluster.
The Astronomy Centre has an excellent record for obtaining observing time on STFC and other overseas telescopes, such as the Anglo-Australian Telescope and the telescopes on La Palma in the Canaries and on Hawaii. We have extensive involvement in satellite projects, especially in infrared and x-ray. The Centre is also involved with the 4m Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) in Chile.
Academic activities
Both MSc and PhD students are expected to contribute to the weekly informal seminars, and are encouraged to attend research seminars. PhD students have an opportunity to attend an international conference and give a paper on their specialist subject. Observational students normally make at least one observing trip to an overseas telescope each year.
Programme outline
The MSc is intended for honours graduates with an applied mathematics or physics-based degree who wish to learn how to apply their knowledge to astronomy. It is one of only three full-time, broad-based astronomy MSc degrees in the UK. It covers the major fields of astronomy and astrophysics at an advanced level, with an emphasis in the lecture modules on theoretical astronomy.
Teaching is by lectures, exercise classes, seminars and personal supervision.
We continue to develop and update our modules for 2013 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.
Full-time structure
Your time is split equally between taught modules and a research project. You have a supervisor who oversees your work in general and is responsible for supervision of your project. Supervisors and topics are allocated, in consultation with you, early in the autumn term. Projects may be theoretical, or involve simulation or data reduction. In many cases the projects form the basis of research papers later published in scientific journals.
Autumn and spring terms: you take the four core modules Astronomy Research Skills • Astrophysical Fluids • Cosmology • Galaxies. Most of these modules comprise 20 lectures and 10 problem classes. You also choose two options from a range of modules available. These are taught on topics relating to research interests within the group, and vary from year to year, but generally cover a wide range of topics. Options might include Advanced Particle Physics • Astronomical Detectors • Data Analysis Techniques • General Relativity • Object-Oriented Programming • Programming in C++. You start work on your project and give an assessed talk on this towards the end of the spring term.
Summer term: examinations and project work.
Part-time structure
You take the four compulsory modules in the autumn and spring terms of Year 1. After the examinations in the summer term, you will begin work on your project. Project work continues during Year 2 when you will also take two options from the above list.
Assessment
Assessment for the taught modules is by coursework and unseen examination. Assessment for the project is by oral presentation and a dissertation of up to 20,000 words.
A distinction is awarded on the basis of excellence in both the lecture modules and the project.
Current modules
Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2012.
Advanced Particle Physics
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
You will acquire an overview of the current status of modern particle physics and current experimental techniques used in an attempt to answer today's fundamental questions in this field.
The topics discussed will be:
- Essential skills for the experimental particle physicist
- Neutrino physics: Neutrino oscillations and reactor neutrinos
- Neutrino physics: SuperNova, geo- and solar- neutrinos and direct neutrino mass measurements
- Cosmic ray physics
- Dark matter
- Introduction to QCD (jets, particles distribution functions, etc)
- Higgs physics
- BSM (including supersymmetry)
- Flavour physics & CP violation
- Electric dipole measurements
- Future particle physics experiments.
Astronomical Detector Technology & Instrumentation
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module aims to provide you with: an overview of instrumentation and detectors; awareness of the topical cutting edge questions in the field; an appreciation of how scientific requirements translate to instrument/detector requirements and design.
This module covers:
- An introduction to astronomy and astrophysics: fluxes, luminosities, magnitudes, etc. Radiation processes, black bodies, spectra. Stars.Galaxies. Planets. Cosmology
- Telescopes and instruments: optical telescopes. Interferometry. Cameras. Spectroscopy. Astronomy beyond the e/m spectrum
- Detectors by wavelength: gamma. X-ray. UV. Optical. NIR. Mid-IR. FIR. Sub-mm. Radio
- Detector selection for a future space mission: scientific motivation and requirements. Detector options. External constraints, financial, risk, etc. Detector selection
Astronomy Research Skills
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module will introduce you to fluid dynamics with reference primarily to astrophysical flows, but accessible and of interest and value to all physics students. Topics covered include: fluid equations: conservation of mass and momentum; gravitation and the Poisson equation; energy and energy transport; hydrostatic equilibrium: atmospheres; stars as polytropes; Lane-Emden equation; homology relations; sound waves; shocks and blast waves; bernoulli: de Laval nozzle; spherical accretion; winds; instabilities: Rayleigh-Taylor; Kelvin Helmholtz; Jeans; thermal; viscous flows: accretion disks; magnetohydrodynamics.
Introduction to Cosmology
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module covers:
- observational overview: In visible light and other wavebands; the cosmological principle; the expansion of the universe; particles in the universe.
- Newtonian gravity: the Friedmann equation; the fluid equation; the acceleration equation.
- geometry: flat, spherical and hyperbolic; infinite vs. observable universes; introduction to topology
- cosmological models: solving equations for matter and radiation dominated expansions and for mixtures (assuming flat geometry and zero cosmological constant); variation of particle number density with scale factor; variation of scale factor with time and geometry.
- observational parameters: hubble, density, deceleration.
- cosmological constant: fluid description; models with a cosmological constant.
- the age of the universe: tests; model dependence; consequences
- dark matter: observational evidence; properties; potential candidates (including MACHOS, neutrinos and WIMPS)
- the cosmic microwave background: properties; derivation of photo to baryon ratio; origin of CMB (including decoupling and recombination).
- the early universe: the epoch of matter-radiation equality; the relation between temperature and time; an overview of physical properties and particle behaviour.
- nucleosynthesis: basics of light element formation; derivation of percentage, by mass, of helium; introduction to observational tests; contrasting decoupling and nucleosynthesis.
- inflation: definition; three problems (what they are and how they can be solved); estimation of expansion during inflation; contrasting early time and current inflationary epochs; introduction to cosmological constant problem and quintessence.
- initial singularity: definition and implications.
- connection to general relativity: brief introduction to Einstein equations and their relation to Friedmann equation.
- cosmological distance scales: proper, luminosity, angular distances; connection to observables.
- structures in the universe: CMB anisotropies; galaxy clustering
- constraining cosmology: connection to CMB, large scale structure (inc BAO and weak lensing) and supernovae.
Data Analysis Techniques
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module introduces you to the mathematical and statistical techniques used to analyse data. The module is fairly rigorous, and is aimed at students who have, or anticipate having, research data to analyse in a thorough and unbiased way.
Topics include: probability distributions; error propagation; maximum likelihood method and linear least squares fitting; chi-squared testing; subjective probability and Bayes' theorem; monte Carlo techniques; and non-linear least squares fitting.
Galaxies
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module covers:
- Galaxy formation: linear perturbation theory; Growth and collapse of spherical perturbations; derivation of Jeans mass; hierarchical galaxy formation models, large-scale structures.
- Virial theorem; Stellar dynamics and kinematics: Solutions of Poisson's equation; Oort's analysis; epicyclic motions; two-body relaxation
- Phase-space distribution function and collisionless Boltzmann equation; Jeans theorems; Solutions of collisionless Boltzmann equation; application of Jeans' equations.
- Galaxy groups and clusters; galaxy evolution; intergalactic medium.
General Relativity
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module provides an introduction to the general theory of relativity, including:
- Brief review of special relativity
- Scalars, vectors and tensors
- Principles of equivalence and covariance
- Space-time curvature
- The concept of space-time and its metric
- Tensors and curved space-time; covariant differentiation
- The energy-momentum tensor
- Einstein's equations
- The Schwarzschild solution and black holes
- Tests of general relativity
- Weak field gravity and gravitational waves
- Relativity in cosmology and astrophysics.
Object Oriented Programming
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
You will be introduced to object-oriented programming, and in particular to understanding, writing, modifying, debugging and assessing the design quality of simple Java applications.
You do not need any previous programming experience to take this module, as it is suitable for absolute beginners.
Programming in C++
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
After a review of the basic concepts of the C++ language, you are introduced to object oriented programming in C++ and its application to scientific computing. This includes writing and using classes and templates, operator overloading, inheritance, exceptions and error handling. In addition, Eigen, a powerful library for linear algebra is introduced. The results of programs are displayed using the graphics interface dislin.
Entry requirements
UK entrance requirements
A first- or second-class undergraduate honours degree in a physics-, mathematics- or astronomy-based subject. Other degrees will be considered on an individual basis.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to column B on the Overseas qualifications.
If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas
qualifications table, contact the University.
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related programmes
Fees and funding
Fees
Home UK/EU students: £5,5001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £5,5002
Overseas students: £16,2003
1
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2013)
Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.
Sussex Graduate Scholarship (2013)
Region: UK, Europe (Non UK), International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 16 August 2013
Open to final year Sussex students who graduate with a 1st or 2:1 degree and who are offered a F/T place on an eligible Masters course in 2013.
Faculty interests
Our research focuses on extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology. Parts of our cosmology research are carried out within the Theoretical Particle Physics research group. Our faculty’s research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
- Astronomy Centre
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Dr Ilian Iliev uses supercomputer simulations to study the formation of large-scale cosmological structures, the cosmic dark ages and reionisation by the first stars.
Dr Antony Lewis works on theoretical and observational cosmology. He is involved with analysing data from the Planck Satellite.
Professor Andrew Liddle works on a range of topics in theoretical cosmology and dark energy. He is involved in the Planck Satellite and the Dark Energy Survey.
Dr Jon Loveday is an astronomer interested in observational cosmology, the nature of dark matter, and in galaxy formation. He participates in several world-leading optical and near-infrared galaxy surveys, including GAMA, SDSS, UKIDSS and VISTA.
Professor Seb Oliver is an astronomer researching the evolution of galaxies since the Big Bang. He undertakes surveys of the distant universe and leads the largest project on the Herschel mission.
Dr Kathy Romer is an observational cosmologist specialising in the detection and study of x-ray clusters of galaxies. She is the principal investigator of the international XMM Cluster Survey project.
Dr David Seery is a theoretical cosmologist working on the physics of the very early universe, and in particular the properties of the primordial density perturbation, which is believed to have seeded later structure formation.
Professor Peter Thomas uses supercomputer simulations to investigate the physics of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
- Theoretical Particle Physics
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Dr Xavier Calmet investigates physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics and in particular the Higgs sector.
Professor Mark Hindmarsh is a world expert on the physics of the early universe and looks at the dynamics of strings in cosmology.
Dr Stephan Huber works on early universe cosmology and particle physics beyond the Standard Model.
Dr Sebastian Jaeger’s research centres on indirect ways to find new particles via their virtual effects.
Dr Daniel Litim heads this group and is a world leader of renormalisation group approaches to fundamental interactions in quantum field theory.
Careers and profiles
The degree has an excellent reputation, both nationally and internationally, and graduates from this MSc work and study all over the world. Many of our graduates go on to take a research degree and often find a permanent job in astronomy. Others have become science journalists and writers.
Mark's career perspective
‘I completed my MSc in Astronomy at Sussex in 2005, and stayed on to undertake a PhD in Astronomy at the Astronomy Centre. Both degrees taught me strong data-analytic and problem-solving skills, aspects of both degrees that I really enjoyed.
‘In 2009 I joined Deloitte as a Technology and Business Consultant. The main thrust of my work requires me to solve clients’ problems, all of which are related to technology in some way. My job directly uses all the transferable skills I learnt at Sussex, including time- management and presentation skills.’
Mark Frost
Technology and Business Consultant
Deloitte
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences brings together two outstanding and progressive departments – Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. It capitalises on the synergy between these subjects to deliver new and challenging opportunities for its students and faculty.
Physics and Astronomy, PG Admissions,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
E msc@physics.sussex.ac.uk
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
You’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
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