The second year continues with the study of the principles introduced in the first year including those of quantum theory and electromagnetism. It also illustrates how these principles explain phenomena in astrophysics. A significant feature of the second year course is that you need to choose more than 25% of your modules from lists of options.
AIMS (click to expand)
- To build on topics introduced in year 1
- To introduce topics which will be developed in subsequent years
- To prepare for future project work by means of the Astrophysics Laboratory and Skills module. This provides experience of retrieving information from the scientific literature and of writing formal reports. It also provides an opportunity to study topics which might not be covered in formal lectures
- To develop and refine students' expertise in both experimentation and computation
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the second year you should
- Have acquired a good working fluency with mathematics - including vector calculus, the solution of differential equations (both ordinary and partial) and Fourier methods
- Have acquired a good knowledge of basic physics, including Astrophysics, Electromagnetic Theory and Optics, Thermal Physics and Quantum Mechanics
- Be able to prepare a comprehensive report on a scientific topic, and to present an oral presentation of it to an audience constituted of your peers and tutors
- Be able to carry out experimental investigations using standard and more novel pieces of equipment, and to assess the significance of the results (including consideration of any associated uncertainties)
