The astronomy group within the Department of Physics & Astronomy
is involved in a wide range of teaching and research activities.
Research interests cover two broad themes, the building blocks of
galaxy evolution, and high time resolution astrophysics. The first
observational
sub-group encompasses the properties, formation and evolution of massive stars
- including
black
holes - star clusters, starbursts and the triggering/feedback effect of Active Galaxies.
The high time resolution astrophysics sub-group exploit the ULTRACAM and ULTRASPEC
instruments. Our
observational strength is reflected by success with allocations on heavily oversubscribed
ground-based (VLT, Gemini) and space-based (Hubble, Spitzer) telescopes.
This is underpinned by growing theoretical interest, including simulations of star formation and star
cluster evolution. Our Department was ranked joint 7th in the
2008 Research Assessment Exercise, which also noted the world-leading output of
our
group. A list of PhD projects for prospective postgraduate students for
Autumn 2010 entry is available here.
We teach three and four-year degree programmes in either Physics & Astrophysics or Maths & Astronomy. Undergraduates have access to the rooftop robotic imaging telescope ROSA, plus a 16 inch Meade telescope equipped with an imager and spectrograph. Annual field trips to the Teide Observatory on Tenerife are available, plus there is the opportunity for students to spend their final year working at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma. A broad range of undergraduate courses are available covering all aspects of astrophysics from the solar system, through stars and galaxies to cosmology, including lecture courses dedicated to astrobiology, dark matter and the history of astronomy.
We teach three and four-year degree programmes in either Physics & Astrophysics or Maths & Astronomy. Undergraduates have access to the rooftop robotic imaging telescope ROSA, plus a 16 inch Meade telescope equipped with an imager and spectrograph. Annual field trips to the Teide Observatory on Tenerife are available, plus there is the opportunity for students to spend their final year working at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma. A broad range of undergraduate courses are available covering all aspects of astrophysics from the solar system, through stars and galaxies to cosmology, including lecture courses dedicated to astrobiology, dark matter and the history of astronomy.

