University of Sussex
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Astronomy/Cosmology MSc
www.sussex.ac.uk/physics
Why Sussex?
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World-renowned research
The Department offers excellent supervision from our leading researchers
in the areas of Astronomy, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics,
Experimental Particle Physics and Theoretical Particle Physics. 95 per cent
of our Physics research activity is rated as 'internationally recognised' or
higher, with 15 per cent rated as 'world leading' in the most recent
Research Assessment Exercise (2008).
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Teaching excellence
Physics at Sussex was ranked 5th for teaching satisfaction in the most
recent National Student Survey (NSS 2013). Our teaching inspires our
students which is why we were rated 1st for both being enthusiastic about
teaching, and teaching an intellectually stimulating course. Physics at
Sussex was ranked 2nd on student staff ratio (The Guardian 2013). In 2009,
one of our lecturers won UK Lecturer of the Year award.
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Fantastic career prospects
Our Physics graduates are in high demand and we are ranked joint 3rd for
graduate prospects in the Times Good University Guide Comparison 20092012.The department actively engages with employers in the South East
region through South East Physics Network (SEPnet), thus ensuring an
excellent match between their requirements and the skills and versatility
that our students develop during their degree. Many of our graduates also
go on to pursue further studies both here and at other institutions.
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High student satisfaction
We boast high student satisfaction. Physics at Sussex was ranked 1 st, with
100% satisfaction, in the most recent National Student Survey (NSS 2013).
We were also ranked joint 4th for overall satisfaction in the Guardian
University Guide 2014 and the Complete University Guide 2014.
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Fabulous location
We are situated on the edge of the beautiful South Downs National Park.
The delights of Brighton are only nine minutes away by train, for clubs,
music, shopping and the arts, or even for a paddle in the sea. London is
just one hour away by train. Excellent travel links connect us to Europe and
the world via nearby Gatwick Airport.
Astronomy MSc
Overview
We offer a broad-based astronomy MSc
course with advanced training in
astronomy and astrophysics. Ours is
one of only three full-time MSc courses
in this field in the UK and it has a very
good reputation, both nationally and
internationally. Many of our graduates
go on to study for a PhD in astronomy.
The course is equally weighted
between a research project and taught
modules on a variety of topics in
modern astrophysics.
Course content (full-time)
Your time is split between taught
modules and a research project. You
will have a supervisor who oversees
your work in general and is responsible
for supervision of your project.
Supervisors and topics are allocated
early in the course. In many cases the
projects form the basis of research
papers later published in scientific
journals.
You take the four core modules:
Astronomy Research Skills •
Astrophysical Fluids • Cosmology •
Galaxies.
You will also choose options from a
range of modules which include Data
Analysis Techniques • General
Relativity • Programming in C++.
Early in the course you will also begin
work on a research project.
Course content (part-time)
Part-time study consists of the same
modules and options as in the full-time
programme, but these are spread over
two years.
Cosmology MSc
Overview
This is one of only two MSc courses in
cosmology in the UK. Its main emphasis
is on observational and theoretical
cosmology in the pre- and postrecombination universe. Many of our
graduates go on to study for a PhD in
cosmology. The course is equally
weighted between a research project
and taught modules on a variety of
topics in modern cosmology.
You take the four core modules:
Cosmology • Early Universe • General
Relativity • Quantum Field Theory I.
You will also choose options from a
range of modules which include
Advanced Particle Physics •
Astrophysical Fluids • Galaxies •
Quantum Field Theory II.
Early in the course you will also begin
work on a research project.
Course content (full-time)
Your time is split between taught
modules and a research project. You
will have a supervisor who oversees
your work in general and is responsible
for supervision of your project.
Supervisors and topics are allocated
early in the course. In many cases the
projects form the basis of research
papers later published in scientific
journals.
Students enjoy studying in our extensively
refurbished social and study spaces.
Course content (part-time)
Part-time study consists of the same
modules and options as in the full-time
programme, but these are spread over
two years.
Astronomy/Cosmology MSc Projects
Sample MSc projects (2013):
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Observational signatures of cosmic reionization
Properties of halos and large-scale structures
Neutrino density perturbations in cosmology
Cosmological model selection
Galaxy clustering: dependence on galaxy properties
What shapes galaxies?
The Herschel Multi-Tiered Extra-galactic Survey: HerMES
The XMM cluster survey
Trispectrum in axion inflation
Making galaxies
For a full list of projects, visit:
www.sussex.ac.uk/astronomy/teaching/msc_projects
(Please note some projects may not be available in 2014)
The Herschel Satellite
UK admission requirements
A first- or second-class undergraduate honours degree in a physics-,
mathematics- or astronomy-based course. Other degrees will be considered on
an individual basis.
Overseas admission requirements
Please refer to column B on the Overseas qualifications table:
www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/2014entry/international/
overseasqualifications
For a list of available courses, please consult our online prospectus:
www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/pgstudy/2014
For more information about our research, visit:
www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/research
For information about funding and fees, visit:
www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/pgstudy/funding
Further information
If you have specific questions, please contact:
E [email protected]
T +44 (0)1273 878557
Applying online
Visit: www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying