PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc in Astrophysics
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc: stopping off point Postgraduate Diploma
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
n/a
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2003 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Parent Department:
Physics and Astronomy
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.phys.ucl.ac.uk/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time/Part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
MSc: 1 or 2.1 in BSc Physics or a closely related area
Postgraduate diploma: 2.2 in BSc Physics or a closely related area
Length of the programme:
One calendar year full time/ Two calendar years part time.
Postgraduate diploma: One academic year full time/ Two academic
years part time
Masters Level (Level 7)
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Physics
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Subjectbenchmark-statement-Physics-astronomy-and-astrophysics.pdf
See:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/phys/admissions/msc/astrophysics
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Astrophysics
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
To develop students’ skills, knowledge and research ability in physics. In particular this will prepare students for
research in physics and entry onto the PhD programme.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
A deeper knowledge of a particular
research area. A broader knowledge of
Astrophysics.
1. Lecture courses in
Physics/Astrophysics.
2. Research skills: planning and
performing original research,
comparison with previous results.
Reporting both in written and oral
forms.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:.
By taking five complete M-level courses and one other
course offered in the department or elsewhere.
By participating in a research activity in association with
others
By surveying and reporting on the scientific literature
pertinent to their research activity.
Assessment:.
1. (50%) By coursework (10%) and written
examinations (90%) with an overall pass mark of 50%
2. (50%) By a written literature survey, a written
dissertation and an oral presentation that is assessed by
two independent examiners
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Application of knowledge and
understanding to unseen problems
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
A systematic approach to devising
experiments and/or computations that
should provide enhanced understanding.
Direct contact with more experienced scientists
The application of theory and the analysis
of experimental/computational
observations with a critical scientific
approach.
Coursework and past exam papers for lecture courses
Assessment:
Unseen exam
The assessment of the research project
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
The precise experience of each
student will vary depending on the
research component of the
programme but several of the
following should be the general
experience:
1. A familiarity with a broad range of
laboratory techniques that may be
transferred to other fields of physics.
2. An experience of sustained exploitation
of available computer programmes.
3. Writing computer programmes for data
handling or for theory-based calculations.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. By direct use and by learning from more experienced
users of the techniques.
2. From program manuals, taught short courses and
contact with more experienced users.
3. From programming manuals, taught courses and by
contact with more experienced scientists
Assessment:
The overall success of the research projects that is
assessed will depend on the successful development of
these skills.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
 Demonstrate written communication
skills by writing literature surveys
project reports.
 Demonstrate oral communication
skills by making professional
presentations.
 Work to strict deadlines.
 Perform research as part of a team
 Demonstrate numeracy skills
 Demonstrate quantitative modelling
and computer skills
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Learning during project by experience and by guidance
from the project supervisor.
Assessment:
Marking of coursework, literature review, project report
and oral presentation
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-qualitycode/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr Dorothy Duffy
Date of Production:
September 2003
Date of Review:
December 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
December 2014
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
December 2014
February 2015