Astrophysics MSc

Program Overview

Students gain practical skills through astronomical observations using the university's telescopes and can participate in a field trip to world-class observatories. The program emphasizes research through a project-based module, preparing graduates for careers in astrophysics research or in fields requiring advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program in Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield delves into the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. It provides practical training in the skills used by professional astrophysicists, including the opportunity to conduct astronomical observations using the university's 0.5m telescope located on La Palma in the Canary Islands. Students can also participate in a subsidized field trip to La Palma to visit world-class observatories.

Outline:

The program is structured around core modules and optional modules, offering a comprehensive exploration of astrophysics.

Core Modules:

• Star Formation and Evolution: This module covers advanced astrophysics topics, including observations and theory of star and planet formation, the evolution of stars of different masses, close binary evolution, end states (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes), and astrophysical transients originating from stars (novae, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts).
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution: This module focuses on the observational aspects of galaxy formation and evolution, covering topics such as the types of galaxies, their formation and evolution, the role of active galactic nuclei, and the construction of theories through observations and computer models.
• Research Project in Physics: This project-based module allows students to apply their knowledge to a research problem, developing skills in time management, project planning, scientific record keeping, information retrieval, and analysis of scientific information sources.
Students work closely with an academic supervisor and conduct research culminating in a written dissertation.

Optional Modules:

Students choose three modules from this group:

• History of Astronomy: This module explores the development of astronomy from ancient civilizations to modern physics, covering the nature of discovery, the interplay between theory and observation, the role of technological advances, and the relationship between astronomy and physics.
• The Development of Particle Physics: This module describes the development of crucial concepts in particle physics, emphasizing the role of experiments and encouraging students to work from original literature.
Topics include the discoveries of the neutron, positron, and neutrino, parity and CP violations, and experimental evidence for quarks and gluons.
• Dark Matter and the Universe: This module examines Dark Matter from both astrophysical and particle physics perspectives, covering the astrophysical evidence for Dark Matter and the detection of candidate Dark Matter particles.
• Advanced Quantum Mechanics: This module covers quantum mechanics at an intermediate to advanced level, including the mathematical vector space formalism, approximate methods, angular momentum, and contemporary topics such as entanglement, density matrices, and open quantum systems.
• An Introduction to General Relativity: This module explores Einstein's theory of gravity, covering the principle of equivalence, tensors, Einstein's equations, and examples such as Schwarzschild black holes, Friedmann Robertson Walker cosmology, and gravitational waves.
• Physics in an Enterprise Culture: This seminar and workshop-based module guides students in creating a business proposal for a new venture, covering topics such as innovation, intellectual property, costing, and business planning.
• Astrobiology: This module examines the search for extraterrestrial life, covering topics such as planet discovery, the nature of life, the origin and evolution of life on Earth, methods for searching for alien life, and the possibilities of intelligent technological civilizations.
• Origin of the Chemical Elements: This module explores the origin, distribution, and evolution of chemical elements, covering topics such as experimental and observational evidence for elemental abundances, primordial nucleosynthesis, stellar nucleosynthesis, neutron capture, supernovae, kilonovae, cosmic rays, and galactic chemical evolution.
• Observational Astronomy with field trip: This module equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct research in observational astronomy, covering topics such as astronomical telescopes, instrumentation, electronic detectors, and data analysis using Python.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include examinations, coursework, essays, other written work, a dissertation, and a viva.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, presentation skills training, and one-to-one research project meetings with a supervisor.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for a PhD and a career in astrophysics research. Graduates have gone on to work for organizations such as the UK and European Space Agencies, the European Southern Observatory, and top universities worldwide. The program also develops skills valuable in various careers, including computer programming, software engineering, data science, and research and development.

Other:

• The university runs a 0.5m telescope with the University of Durham on La Palma, which students can operate remotely from Sheffield as part of their training or during the optional annual field trip.
• The university also has a computer-controlled 0.4m telescope and a robotic 0.25m telescope on the roof of its building, which students can use during the course.
• The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is ranked 1st in the UK for the quality of its physics research.
• The school is also involved in quantum technology research and has established a multi-million pound Quantum Centre.
• Physics and astronomy staff have received honors from the Royal Society and the Institute of Physics and participate in numerous international collaborations.