BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ASTRONOMY

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the Knightsbridge University BSc Programme in Astronomy. The programme is designed to be completed within eighteen months by a student devoting ten to twelve hours a week, working by distance learning.  

The Course currently consists of five core modules (A through E), one elective module (F or G) and a Dissertation topic. The modules and a selection of sub-sections are:

A. Spherical Astronomy

Celestial sphere and celestial co-ordinates. Atmospheric refraction. Time. Aberration. Proper Motion and Parallax. Precession and nutation. Planetary motion and phenomena.

B. Observational Astronomy

Optical telescopes. Optical detectors and instruments. Optical magnitude systems and stellar spectra. Radio telescopes and techniques. Observations at other wavelengths.

C. Planetary Science

Introduction to the Solar System. The internal structure of the terrestial planets. Cratering in the Solar System. Volcanism. Atmospheres of terrestial planets. The Giant Planets. The formation of the Solar System.

D. Stellar Structure, Nucleosynthesis and Evolution

The properties of matter and radiation in stellar interiors. Heat transfer in stars. Thermonuclear fusion in stars. The Hertzprung-Russell Diagram. Star formation and main-sequence stars. Post main-sequence evolution of low to intermediate mass stars.

E. The Structure and Evolution of Galaxies

The structure of the galaxy and its contents. Properties of external galaxies. The masses of galaxies. The chemical evolution of the galaxy and external galaxies. The distance scale of the Universe and its expansion.

F. Cosmology

Introductory general relativity. Relativistic cosmology. The Friedmann cosmological models. Relics of the Big Bang. "Local" observations of cosmological significance.

G. Orbital Mechanics

The n-body and two-body problems. The position in orbit at a given time. The orbit in space. Lambert's problem. Rocket dynamics. Impulsive orbit transfer. Interplanetary mission analysis.

H. A Dissertation Topic

A Dissertation of 10000 to 15000 words to be agreed between student and supervisor. 

Aims and objectives

The Course is intended to give the student a broad introduction to Astronomy. Its main aim will be to show how diverse objects such as planets and stars can be understood through the application of many branches of science, in particular physics. The Course would provide a good foundation for anyone wishing to undertake research in Astronomy.

Methods of delivery

The delivery of the teaching for the Course is by distance learning. The material is designed to give you maximum flexibility as to the pace of learning. Course materials consist of topic lists, detailed directed reading from set texts and articles. The student will be submitting Progress Assessment Tests (PATs), Minor Assignments and Major Assignments for each module.

Entry requirements

The usual requirements for entry to the Course are as follows:

A first degree in any discipline,

or,

Membership of a professional body whose qualification may be deemed to be the equivalent of a degree.

Candidates will normally have attained the age of twenty-four years. All candidates will be expected to show a proficiency in the English language.

Each application will be considered on its own merits, however, and admission to a Course and all interpretations as to the eligibility for such admission remains at the discretion of the University.

Supervision and cohorts

The University is aware of the need to provide first rate supervision to students, given the fact that they are working in a distance learning mode. Each cohort of students will be allocated a Supervisor who is either an experienced academic or proven practitioner in the field. He or she will be the students' guide through the Course

Aware of the fact that distance learning can be a difficult and isolating experience, it is proposed that each cohort of students should receive a list of its peers. These will be people who are undergoing the same stresses and strains. They will be facing the same problems and the same assignment difficulties at a similar time. It is the University's hope that students will wish to join with others to share their experience in a fellow feeling of a community. Unless an individual student wishes to maintain anonymity, each cohort of students will be allocated a practitioner in the field. He or she will be the student's guide through the Course.

Each will be given a list of their peers, in the hope that the overall standard of their work, their performance on the Course and, above all, their experience as a student is enhanced.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ASTRONOMY

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the Knightsbridge University MSc Programme in Astronomy. The programme is designed to be completed within twenty-two months by a student devoting ten to twelve hours a week, working by distance learning.  

The Course currently consists of six core modules (A through F), one elective module (G, H or I) and a Dissertation topic. The modules and a selection of sub-sections are:

A. Spherical Astronomy

Time. Atmospheric refraction. Annual and diurnal aberration. Parallax. Stellar proper motions. Precession and nutation.

B. Observational Astronomy

Astronomical sources of radiation. Observational limits. Optical telescopes. Single-channelled optical detectors. Multi-channelled optical detectors. Photometry and polarimetry.

C. Planetary Science

Cratering in the Solar System. Introduction to minerals. Asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust. Isotope geology and meteorites. The internal constitutions and atmospheres of the giant planets.

D. Stellar Structure, Nucleosynthesis and Evolution

Introductory concepts and physical principles. Stellar evolution and special types of stars. Equations of state in stellar interiors. Heat transfer. The modelling of stellar interiors.

E. Stellar Photospheres

Background astrophysics. Model photospheres. Theory of absorption lines. Stellar radii and temperatures. Photospheric pressure.

F. Galactic and Extra-Galactic Astronomy

The structure and contents of the Galaxy. Cold interstellar matter in galaxies. Emission-line regions in galaxies. The chemical evolution of the Galaxy and external galaxies. Galactic dynamics.

G. Orbital Mechanics

The n-body and two-body problems. Impulsive orbit transfer. Linear orbit theory. Perturbation theory Orbit determination. Interplanetary mission analysis.

H. Cosmology

General relativity. The early universe according to the Big Bang theory. Problems of standard Big Bang cosmology. The formation of galaxies, clusters and superclusters.

I. Quasar Astronomy

The detection of quasars. Observational surveys for quasars. The continuous spectral energy distribution of quasars. The structure of quasars. The evolution of quasars.

J. A Dissertation Topic

A Dissertation of 15000 to 20000 words on a topic to be agreed between student and supervisor. 

Aims and objectives

The Course is intended to give the student a broad introduction to Astronomy. Its main aim will be to show how diverse objects such as planets and stars can be understood through the application of many branches of science, in particular physics. The Course would provide a good foundation for anyone wishing to undertake research in Astronomy.

Methods of delivery

The delivery of the teaching for the Course is by distance learning. The material is designed to give you maximum flexibility as to the pace of learning. Course materials consist of topic lists, detailed directed reading from set texts and articles. The student will be submitting Progress Assessment Tests (PATs), Minor Assignments and Major Assignments for each module.

Entry requirements

The usual requirements for entry to the Course are as follows:

A first degree in a scientific discipline containing physics as a primary subject,

or,

Membership of a professional body whose qualification may be deemed to be the equivalent of a degree.

Candidates will normally have attained the age of twenty-eight years. All candidates will be expected to show a proficiency in the English language.

Candidates will need access to a PC, or mainframe computer, and be able to demonstrate some proficiency in computer programming.

Each application will be considered on its own merits, however, and admission to a Course and all interpretations as to the eligibility for such admission remains at the discretion of the University.

Supervision and cohorts

The University is aware of the need to provide first rate supervision to students, given the fact that they are working in a distance learning mode. Each cohort of students will be allocated a Supervisor who is either an experienced academic or proven practitioner in the field. He or she will be the student's guide through the Course.

Aware of the fact that distance learning can be a difficult and isolating experience, it is proposed that each cohort of students should receive a list of its peers. These will be people who are undergoing the same stresses and strains. They will be facing the same problems and the same assignment difficulties at a similar time. It is the University's hope that students will wish to join with others to share their experience in a fellow feeling of a community. Unless an individual student wishes to maintain anonymity, each cohort of students will be given a list of their peers, in the hope that the overall standard of their work, their performance on the Course and, above all, their experience as a student is enhanced. 

©Copyright Knightsbridge University 2005. No part of this Course Outline, in part or in whole, may be reproduced, distributed or used for commercial purposes without the written consent of Knightsbridge University.