(Astro-)Physics Courses

rgt320q

Time to come out of my frequent lurking here and actually post...

I'm currently considering doing a physics degree with an emphasis on astronomy/astrophysics in the latter stages. I'm mainly looking at UCD and TCD here, though I'm open to other options. I had a look through some relevant threads in their respective forums and I just thought a post here might be free from some of their inherent student-y biases.

Besides general information and opinions, one of the main things I'm looking to find out is which school puts the greater emphasis on the astronomy part of it's physics degree along with which offers the greatest range of classes on the subject (maybe any alumni here could help with that?). Don't get me wrong, I'm not just solely interested in stargazing here; I do find other fields of physics quite fascinating.

Long-term, with a physics degree, my goal would be to move onto postgrad studies, with my biggest ambition being to work on observatory-based research. Yes, I want to be like Jodie Foster in Contact... ;D

Conor108

Well I'm in first year of the astrophysics course in UCD, THIS one.

So far there was only one astronomy class last semester. Pretty basic stuff I guess - Types of telescopes, lifecycles of stars, scales of distances in the universe, plantetary formation etc.

Mostly there physics/maths modules right now. You also get 2 'elective' modules that you can do from (mostly) anything in the college like business, arts, languages.

Looking ahead to the next 3 years it looks like theres increased focus on astronomy as theres modules called 'Introductory Quantum Mechanics', 'Stellar Astrophysics & Astronomical Techniques', 'Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium' and 'Astrophysics Labs' whatever they are.

Heres a list of the modules you take over the 4 years (Click Science then physics with astronomy). Looks a bit of confusing I guess, but just pay attention to the 'core' ones if you get lost, the rest are 'options' you take depending on your choice/ability.

I think from next year you have to enter the omnibus Science degree and then choose what denominated course (like astrophysics) you want to do towards the end of first year. THINK its something like that in TCD too.

And yeah contacts a great movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmSYXbgcozY

riffmongous

Maynooth has a good astrophysics course, big emphasis on astronomy/astrophys right from the start. You are mostly in with the general science students but you have separate labs, tutorials and lectures. You take maths and two other subjects in first year, mathematical physics and computer science/chemistry being the usual choices.

There are usually a few class trips too, starting out with Irish observatories in 1st year (Drumsink and Birr), then English in 2nd (Jodrell Bank in Manchester) and finally a week in France studying variable stars in 4th year.

Big emphasis on astro amongst the staff too if you are looking to go down that route later.

djhaxman

riffmongous wrote: »

Maynooth has a good astrophysics course, big emphasis on astronomy/astrophys right from the start. You are mostly in with the general science students but you have separate labs, tutorials and lectures. You take maths and two other subjects in first year, mathematical physics and computer science/chemistry being the usual choices.

There are usually a few class trips too, starting out with Irish observatories in 1st year (Drumsink and Birr), then English in 2nd (Jodrell Bank in Manchester) and finally a week in France studying variable stars in 4th year.

Big emphasis on astro amongst the staff too if you are looking to go down that route later.

I'm doing that course now, in 1st year as a mature student. Not as big an emphasis on astronomy as I'd like tbh. We do 1 extra lecture a week on astronomy, the astronomy tutorials weren't set up as people couldn't agree a timetable slot that suited everyone. No mention of the trip to the observatories yet, although there is time for that to happen.

There's 4 subjects in first year and you drop one in 2nd year and another going into 3rd year. The downside to the astrophysics degree is that it can only be done as a single honours degree - whereas if you keep on experimental physics, it can be done as a double honours degree which a lot of people prefer.

I do enjoy the course though, even if integration is a bit tricky.

pontalpha

Does anyone know what the jobs situation is particularly in astrophyics? Much like the OP I've been considering returning to college in the next few years to do phyics/astrophysics, but if I can't get work at the end of it it's a bit of a non-runner. Space has always been a love/fascination of mine but I've never really been able to pursue it seriously. I have an engineering related degree and am working at the moment which would be hard to give up. If I did take on the astrophysics course eventually I'd probably be willing to do something postgrad also.

the quick fix

Hey rgt I would have to agree with riffmongous on this one. Maynooth has a great emphasis on astronomy. I am doing Physics and Astrophysics in first year now and you do an extra module to bring everyone up to speed on the solar system and planets. Also In experimental physics there are certain experiments you will do only with the people on your course that target the astronomy part of the course. They get in people experienced in astronomy to give a week or 2 of lectures. Hope that helped.

Also pontalpha At the end of your degree if you choose to do one in Astrophysics in fourth year if you change your mind its in 4th year really that you specialize in what course you want to do. So you should follow what you want to do but there are so many options by the time you get to 4th year that you could go down a different route. There are not many astronomy related jobs in Ireland or you would need very good qualifications. There are a lot of jobs in astrophysics and astronomy in Canada. You could go into research, work for the ESA or NASA and a lot more different options are there.

Geminian

Hi,

I'm new to this:oI am just wondering if there is anyone that is in/was in the same situation that I am now. I am currently doing an arts degree focusing on languages. I was never too sure whether to do an arts degree or to do physics with astrophysics(big difference i suppose) in the first place when I finished my Leaving Cert. I was hesitant in deciding because the main priority for me at the time was job prospects, even thought this is important to me now too but not as much. I chose the arts degree in the end anyway. It is only really hitting me now though that I really wanted to study astrophysics and that I should have just took the opportunity when I had it. I have one year left in my current degree, so I don't see the sense in dropping out of it.. but i am just wondering if anyone would have any advice on studying astrophysics as a second degree.
Has anyone done this?done it as a second degree/first degree? I imagine I would be working, so is there anywhere that would do the course part-time? I know it would be a difficult degree.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated from anyone, thank you.:)

riffmongous

Hi Geminian,

I can't really give you any direct advice I'm afraid, but what I would say is that if your still doing a degree then you should have access to the uni library, so it might be an idea to head in during the summer and grab a few first year course books and have a read

And if you were really interested you could even have a look at the old exam papers after a month or two, you can usually find them online on the university website

Tomk1

pontalpha wrote: »

Does anyone know what the jobs situation is particularly in astrophyics? Much like the OP I've been considering returning to college in the next few years to do phyics/astrophysics, but if I can't get work at the end of it it's a bit of a non-runner. Space has always been a love/fascination of mine but I've never really been able to pursue it seriously. I have an engineering related degree and am working at the moment which would be hard to give up. If I did take on the astrophysics course eventually I'd probably be willing to do something postgrad also.

I knew someone with an engineering degree who was studying physics as a mature student, during the summer months he returned to his job so maybe could be an option.

Having an Engineering/Astrophysics degree would be perfect for the space-industry, never mind R&D in electronics opto-electronics, or the math for the dreaded-banks.
There is a space company in of all places the Isle of Man, they upgrade old Russian Rockets. Also I think the British want to revamp their role in space, it's crazy to think they dropped it after their first successful launch in the 60's, their rocket technology became the backbone of the ESA.

Also there is open course material on MIT, some courses has Audio.

Geminian

thanks riffmongus, i did that with the exam papers in my uni (maynooth) for astrophy, , but im gonna take out some books, good idea:)

riffmongous

Geminian wrote: »

thanks riffmongus, i did that with the exam papers in my uni (maynooth) for astrophy, , but im gonna take out some books, good idea:)

Glad to help Ah, Maynooth is where I did my Astrophys course a few years ago, so I should be able to answer any questions you have about the course (although I think there are a few people here who are currently taking that course and might be able to give you better info).

As for books, I don't remember the name of the Astronomy book, but it should be easy to find a decent one, I think its fairly light on the maths for the first year. If you want a really good Astrophysics book, that might be too tough maths-wise, but is still good for reading you want Carroll and Ostlie (I think, its a big orange book)
http://lb-srv-2qj.nuim.ie/F/DHXEA3YYDFXENY8GDCGHGV5X1CXMVII9PCXBBP5CNVJYG6JG6L-48111?func=full-set-set&set_number=001258&set_entry=000001&format=999

The general Physics book we used in 1st year was Cutnell and Johnson

http://lb-srv-2qj.nuim.ie/F/DHXEA3YYDFXENY8GDCGHGV5X1CXMVII9PCXBBP5CNVJYG6JG6L-45719?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=000342397

I used 6th ed, but they are all more or less the same.

djhaxman

It's still Cutnell & Johnson for 1st year, but in 2nd year we'll be using Physics by Serway, which is a more calculus based book.

The astronomy books we used last year, but were not required to buy were 'In quest of the Universe', by Kuhn and Koupelis and 'Astronomy Today' by Chaisson & McMillan, I have 'Universe' by Freedmann and Kaufmann which is equally as good.

riffmongous

Have you tried using Carroll and Ostlie yet Djhaxman? I'm just wondering how advanced it is, I can't really remember. I think it was still a good read anyway.

djhaxman

riffmongous wrote: »

Have you tried using Carroll and Ostlie yet Djhaxman? I'm just wondering how advanced it is, I can't really remember. I think it was still a good read anyway.

No, I haven't but must have a look in the library for it though, seems to cover a wide range of stuff. Thanks for the info