Astronomy (2014 entry)

MSc, 1 year full time/2 years part time

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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. In 2013 – after successfully exploiting the growing national interest in physics – we are to benefit from another joint award of £13.1 million to support vital research, teaching and development of physics in the South East. 

The Astronomy Centre carries out world-leading 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. 

South East Physics Network logo

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. 

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. 

Also visit Department of Physics and Astronomy: Preparatory study

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2014 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.

Course structure (full time)

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 • Astro-physical Fluids • Cosmology • Galaxies. Most of these modules comprise 24 lectures and 11 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. 

Course structure (part time) 

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 Advanced Particle Physics • Astronomical Detectors • Data Analysis Techniques • General Relativity • Object-Oriented Programming • Programming in C++. 

Current modules

Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2012.

Core modules

Options

Back to module list

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.

Back to module list

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

Overseas qualifications

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

CountryOverseas qualification
Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class lower division
Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7
Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (grade B)
China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 65%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 6.5
France Licence with mention assez bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 12
Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.7 or better
Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class lower division
Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 6.5
Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class lower division
India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 14
Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 100
Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum of B or equivalent
Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 2
Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 7
Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class lower division or CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0
Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 60%
Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 65% or CGPA 3.0/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university
United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

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.

Visas and immigration

Find out more about Visas and immigration.

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 

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.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver

Fulbright-Sussex University Award (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 15 October 2013

Each year, one award is offered to a US citizen for the first year of a postgraduate degree in any field at the University of Sussex.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2014)

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.

Santander Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

Two scholarships of £5000 fee waiver for students studying any postgraduate taught course.

USA Friends Scholarships (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 3 April 2014

Two scholarships of an amount equivalent to $10,000 are available to nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Master's degree course.

Faculty interests

Our research focuses on extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology. Our faculty’s research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy. 

Dr Christian Byrnes is a theoretical cosmologist studying how the smallest-scale density perturbations were the initial seeds leading to the galaxies seen today. The motivation is to learn about the first yoctosecond after the Big Bang. 

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. 

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. 

Dr Stephen Wilkins studies the formation and evolution of the first galaxies. He has recently led the identification and characterisation of star forming within the early universe using deep Hubble observations. 

Parts of our cosmology research are carried out within the theoretical particle physics research group, whose faculty interests can be found under the physics subject area. 

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

Mark Frost

‘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, Postgraduate Admissions, 
University of Sussex, Falmer, 
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK 
E msc@physics.sussex.ac.uk
Department of Physics and Astronomy

Postgraduate Open Day 2013

4 December 2013, 1pm-4pm
Bramber House, University of Sussex

  • talk to academic faculty and current postgraduate students
  • subject talks and presentations on postgraduate study, research and funding
  • choose from our exciting range of taught Masters and research degrees
  • find out how postgraduate study can improve your career prospects
  • get details of our excellent funding schemes for taught postgraduate study.

To register your interest in attending, visit Postgraduate Open Day.

Can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day? You might be interested in attending one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions.

Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions

If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, 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.

Other ways to visit Sussex

We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.

You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.

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