58勛圖

AS4025 Observational Astrophysics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Module description

This is an observational and laboratory-based module that introduces students to the hands-on practical aspects of planning observing programmes, conducting the observations and reducing and analysing the data. The exact topics covered may change annually depending on resource availability; examples include galaxy imaging and exoplanet transits. Sources of data may include telescopes at the University Observatory and/or international observatories. Students gain experience in observation, data analysis, the Linux operating system, standard astronomical software packages and modelling, and report writing

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS AS2001 OR PASS AS2101 ) AND PASS PH2011 AND PASS PH2012 AND ( PASS MT2001 OR PASS 2 MODULES FROM {MT2501, MT2503} )

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

No Re-assessment available - laboratory based

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 3.5hr x 10 weeks supervised work

Scheduled learning hours

70

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

80

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Plan a set of observations.
  • Acquire optical images of various astronomical objects, including the necessary calibration data.
  • Perform photometry from space-based and/or ground-based telescopes using standard astronomical software packages written in the Python language.
  • Carry out the basic reduction and advanced analysis of optical images.
  • Record and write up results in a professional manner.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/