Introduction

The University Advanced Certificate in Astrophysics of the Sun and Stars is a distance-learning course at second year undergraduate level, designed for people who already have a grounding in astronomy, such as through previous study of the University Certificate in Astronomy. The course extends the concepts introduced in the University Certificate in Astronomy and focuses on many aspects of solar and stellar astrophysics.

The course provides a broad introduction to Solar Astrophysics, involving a mixture of theoretical and observational approaches to demonstrate and explain various solar phenomena. You will learn about the overall structure of the sun, including the use of solar neutrinos and helioseismology to probe its interior, the importance of the magnetic field in determining its surface features and will be introduced to the problem of coronal heating. Building on your understanding of the Sun, you will extend your knowledge of solar-like stars by studying in detail the physical changes that occur during stellar evolution from formation to the final remnant, including the study of activity cycles and asteroseismology along the way. The course will provide the opportunity to develop astronomy subject skills such as data analysis, use of imaging techniques and the preparation of scientific reports.

Duration

This course runs from October to May following the normal academic year for campus-based students.

The course lasts two years as detailed under Course Content.

Study Mode

Part-time by distance learning only

Learning materials are available online via the Course Website, which also provides a noticeboard and web-based discussion groups where students can interact with one another and with staff. Tutorial support is available by email, web-based discussion or telephone. The university library's Distance Learning Service is available to students enrolled on this course.

A PC with Internet access is essential for this course. Students are responsible for printing out their own paper copies of the learning materials if required..

This course consists of two standard University modules (200 hours of study per module) and students should expect to devote 4 - 5 hours per week per module averaged over the duration of the course.

Module AA2055 requires use of the World Wide Web to download and analyse astronomical data as part of the assessed work. A timed on-line assessment forms a compulsory component of AA2056. Therefore it is essential to have a PC with reliable internet access for this course.

Admissions Criteria

The course is designed to allow non-specialists access to astronomical concepts. Candidates who show that they have a strong interest in the subject and who will benefit in terms of their personal development and enjoyment will be given preference. Whilst studying on one of the Advanced Certificates you are expected to achieve a quantitative understanding of  the concepts. This will involve increased use of equations compared with the University Certificate in Astronomy.  Applicants for the University Advanced Certificates are normally expected to have GCSE grade C in both Mathematics and Physics and to have covered the material in the University Certificate in Astronomy. A2 or A-level study of mathematics or science is advantageous but not compulsory. Alternatively, applicants with OU or other qualifications should discuss the details of their education with the Course Leader.

Course Content

The University Advanced Certificate in Astrophysics of the Sun and Stars consists of two standard modules of 20 national credits at Level 2:

Solar Astrophysics

The module Solar Astrophysics is normally studied during the first year of the course. The learning materials consist of Course Notes and a Workbook. Some of the topics that you will cover are: the inferno in the solar core, the solar convection zone and the solar dynamo, spectral diagnostics of the solar atmosphere, magnetic features in the solar atmosphere, flares, mass ejections and solar storms and the future of solar astrophysics.

Solar-Stellar Connection

The module Solar Stellar Connection is studied in the second year of the course and builds on the knowledge introduced in the first module.  It includes the following topics: the range of types of normal and variable stars, detailed  evolution before, during and after the main sequence, active and adolescent stars and stellar activity cycles, asteroseismology, the solar stellar connection in galactic open clusters and the study of white dwarfs and other endpoints of stellar evolution.

The recommended text for the module AA2055 is: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Sun by Lang, K.R., (2001), Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521780934, (£30.00.)

Assessment

Assessments for the University Advanced Certificate in Astrophysics of the Sun and Stars are submitted according to a Course Schedule. To pass the course as a whole requires passes in each of the two modules which are assessed as follows:

• AA2055 - four assessments typically to include two question sheets and two activities involving data analysis and scientific report writing.

• AA2056 - four assessments that will normally be two question sheets, one scientific essay of approximately 1500 words and a timed on-line open-book assignment.

To pass a module, it is not necessary to pass each item of coursework individually provided that the overall module mark is 40% or more and certain  criteria specified in the appropriate module description are met. 

Further Courses

The Department offers Level 1 University Certificate courses in related topics which are structured in a similar way. These courses can be studied separately or combined to obtain a Certificate of Higher Education in Astronomy. Please see the relevant factsheets for these courses.

Students who successfully complete the University Certificate in Astronomy  can progress to the University Advanced Certificates (at Level 2). See separate factsheet for details of the Diploma of Higher Education in Astronomy and BSc (Hons) in Astronomy.

In addition, there is a progression route from the University Certificate in Astronomy to other courses leading to degree programmes in astronomy and astrophysics on-campus at the University of Central Lancashire. For details of entrance requirements to degree programmes, please contact the Programme Administrator at the address below.

International Students

International Students are welcome to apply but should note that the course is only available in the English language.

Fees

The tuition fee for each of the modules of a University Advanced Certificate is payable in the academic year in which the student registers for that module.

The tuition fee for a standard module of 20 national credits is set each year. For guidance, in the year 2008/2009 the fees per standard module for private individuals are:-

Living in the UK	£210
EU excluding the UK	£250
Outside the EU or UK	£350
	(approximately US$600 depending on the exchange rate)

Application Procedure and Further Information

For further information and on-line application form visit the www.StudyAstronomy.com website.

Alternatively,  contact the Programme Administrator at the following address:

The Programme Administrator
Study Astronomy
School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE
UK

Tel:  +44 (0) 1772 893541 (direct line)
Fax: +44 (0) 1772 892996
Email: ucastro@uclan.ac.uk

Website: www.StudyAstronomy.com 

(This information is correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.)

Last updated: 04 February 2008 bjmh

 

Back to Previous Document