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.
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.

