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, 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 will be available towards the end of 2009 (projects for 2009 are listed here).

We teach three and four-year degree programmes in either Physics & Astrophysics or Maths & Astronomy. Undergraduates have access to a rooftop robotic imaging telescope plus a 16inch Meade telescope equipped with an imager and spectrograph. Annual field trips to 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, spanning astrobiology, dark matter and the history of astronomy.