General Course Information

We offer a range of university level, part-time courses in astronomy and related subjects. The majority of our Distance Learning Courses can be studied from your home without any requirement to attend classes at the university or the need to own specialist astronomical equipment.  We have portfolios of modules at Level 1, Level 2. and Level 3. which can be used towards a range of awards. (Certificates, Cert HE, Advanced Certificate, Dip HE and BSc (Hons).). In September we will be launching a new University Certificate in Astrobiology (subject to validation).

Academic Information

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Level 1 portfolio

Level 2 portfolio

Level 3 (page under construction)

Sample Notes

Maths Pack  (free)

Optional Weekend Course (pdf)

Recommended Textbooks
factsheet Course Code:

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Module Fees

Module Availability

Module Schedules

Module Catalogue

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Prize Winners

*STV = Subject to validation

Modules and their Availability

The Course Structure and Module Availability Table (below) specifies the expected operating pattern of modules over the next 3 years for your selected course. Our next planned review of the module availability will be in January 2008 following the recruitment to courses in the 2007/08 academic year.. The running of modules is subject to adequate recruitment each year.

Course Structure -

ModuleTitle

option

Level

Credits

200506

200607

200708

200809

200910

201011
AA1051 Introduction to Astronomy core 1 20
AA1053 Introduction to Cosmology option 1 20
AA1055 IT for Astronomy option 1 20
AA1056 Energy, Matter and the Universe option 1 20
AA1057 Investigations in Astronomy option 1 20
AA1058 Sun, Earth and Climate option 1 20
AA1059 Introduction to Astrobiology option 1 20
AA1066 Great Astronomers in History option 1 20
AA2051 The Milky Way option 2 20
AA2052 Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way option 2 20
AA2053 UV, optical and IR Astronomy option 2 20
AA2054 Exploring the Solar System option 2 20
AA2055 Solar Astrophysics option 2 20
AA2056 Solar-Stellar Connection option 2 20
AA2057 Astrobiology option 2 20
AA3050 Astronomy Dissertation core 3 20
AA3051 Origins compulsory 3 20
AA3053 Cosmology and Relativity option 3 20
AA3056 Extreme States of Matter core 3 20
AA3057 Collaborative Investigation compulsory 3 20
 

Key:

module running

only for students who have already completed the level 2 prerequisite
 

module not running

 -

 
  ?   to be reviewed later    

 

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Awards

University Certificates

The majority of students start with the entry level courses that assume no prior study. The University Certificates in Astronomy will be available each academic year, starting in October and finishing in May. The other University Certificates will be available approximately alternate years. 

Certificate of Higher Education in Astronomy

For those students who follow the Cert HE we will ensure that there are modules on offer that will enable them to progress each year, but will alternate the more specialist modules.

University Advanced Certificates

We are planning to operate the Advanced Certificates in a rota so that, subject to adequate student demand, we will offer the appropriate level 2 modules to ensure that students can progress through their chosen course (either Advanced Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education). 

Diploma of Higher Education

Dip HE students are advised to complete the Cert HE in Astronomy before embarking on level 2. See the factsheet for details of requirements for the Dip HE.

BSc (Hons) in Astronomy 

Level 3 modules are only available to students who have enrolled on the BSc (Hons) in Astronomy. Students are advised to complete 6 level 1 modules and several level 2 modules before embarking on level 3. Some flexibility is required, to enable students to make use of modules as they become availability in the rota. You should discuss your detailed study plans with the Course Team.

 

Last updated: 04 October 2007 ib