Program Overview

Studying Astrophysics and Cosmology at UKZN

Students interested in studying astrophysics and cosmology at UKZN should register for a BSc degree in the Mathematical Sciences stream. The relevant subjects within the M-stream are Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Mathematics, with electives in cognate subjects such as Computer Science, Statistics or Chemistry. The Astronomy Major was introduced in 2015, and has a common curriculum in 1st year with the Physics and Applied Mathematics majors. Astrophysics courses are offered in the 2nd and 3rd years of the degree. BSc graduates qualify to study a BSc Honours degree, which can be done in either Physics or Applied mathematics, with modules chosen from both disciplines. Since 2015, UKZN also offers the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) at Honours and Masters levels.

The Astronomy Major

The Astronomy Major is offered as part of the BSc Mathematical Sciences stream in the College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science. The structure of the Major is as follows:

• Year 1:
  • MATH130 (Introduction to Calculus)
  • MATH140 (Calculus and Linear Algebra)
  • PHYS113 (Mechanics)
  • PHYS114 (Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism)
• Year 2:
  • ASTR203 (Stars and Planets)
  • ASTR204 (Galaxies and Cosmology)
  • MATH212 (Advanced Calculus & Linear Algebra)
  • MATH251 (Further Calculus and Introductory Analysis)
• Year 3:
  • ASTR301 (Astronomy Beyond the Visible)
  • ASTR303 (Fluids in Astrophysics)
  • ASTR304 (Observational Project)
  • Either MATH327 (Numerical Analysis) or MATH344 (Tensor Analysis)

Note

Undergraduate Internship Programme

The Undergraduate Internship Programme (UIP) is designed to enhance the coursework, research and outreach experience for ARC undergraduate students. The programme involves students studying astrophysics and cosmology at the undergraduate level (BSc and BSc Hons), including students in the SARAO-NRF-UKZN bursary programme. The UIP comprises a number of activities to strengthen the academic programme for ARC undergraduates and involves close interaction with academic staff, postdoctoral research fellows, and postgraduate students. These activities include:

• Individual tutoring and exam revision meetings with ARC postgraduate students
• Mentorship meetings with ARC staff members
• Participation in astronomy outreach activities
• Participation in research projects by ARC postdoctoral fellows and staff members General orientation and administrative assistance is also provided for UIP students.