This program provides a positive experience of physics and encourages students to foster and maintain an intellectual curiosity in the discipline, specifically in the area of physics with astronomy and space science. We encourage/educate our students to become active, lifelong and autonomous learners with good prospects of employment in economic sectors requiring analytical skills or for further study of the subject. Our students will become well grounded in the fundamentals of physics with an appreciation of more specialised knowledge and the current frontiers of research. Our learning environment emphasises laboratory work at all stages, combining in-class, project and problem-solving work including data analysis and programming. Our students will be imbued with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively. We deliver targeted modules throughout the degree complemented by specialised laboratories and field trips, to focus on all aspects of astronomy and space science. Assessment is based on individual work, group work, work in the laboratory, project work including student presentation and written report.

1 - On successful completion of the programme, students will have acquired a good understanding of the core of physics (as defined by the Institue of Physics degree accreditation document), and students will appreciate the current boundaries of scientific knowledge.
2 - Students will be able to tackle problems in physics and formulate an appropriate solution
3 - Students will be able to use mathematics to describe the physical world
4 - Students will be able to plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation
5 - Students will be able to compare results critically with predictions from theory
6 - Students will also have acquired communications skills
7 - Students will have acquired analytical skills
8 - Students will have acquired IT skills
9 - Students will have acquired personal skills, the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, interact constructively with other people, and show leadership in their area of expertise.
10 - Students will have acquired ethical behaviour, including critical thinking, understanding of arguments and consequences, and scientific integrity
11 - Students will be flexible, able to adapt and contribute to the specific research and development in the space science sector.

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.
Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.
As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

This programme is particularly appealing if you are interested in exploring the Universe through physics and/or pursuing a career in the space industry.

This is primarily a physics degree programme, with an emphasis on the applications of physics in astrophysics and space science. You will gain an understanding of how ground-based and space-based technologies are used to explore the universe and how modern science can be used to understand it.

The course contains modules in physics, mathematics, astronomy and space science. Advanced topics include stellar and planetary formation and evolution, black holes, galaxies and cosmology. Related modules on relativity, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics and quantum mechanics provide a rigorous foundation in the science underpinning astronomy and astrophysics. There is a significant hands-on practical component where you will gain experience in experimental and observational techniques as well as scientific computing.

STAGES 1 & 2
In Stage 1 the focus is on building a strong foundation in Physics and Mathematics, and you will undertake a module called ?Astronomy and Space Science?. In Stage 2 you will continue to acquire core Physics and Mathematics skills and will undertake a module entitled ?Exploring the Solar System? which includes a dedicated laboratory component.

STAGE 3
In Stage 3 you will undertake advanced Physics modules on topics such as Mechanics and Relativity, Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Optics and Lasers, as well as a module entitled ?Stellar Astrophysics and Astronomical Techniques?. In addition, practical skills are developed through laboratory work which includes experiments on a range of topics in Physics and develops skills in computer interfacing, data analysis and computational physics. In addition, there are dedicated laboratories for understanding astronomical detectors, with emphasis on analysis of data produced by telescopes utilising CCD detectors, in preparation for the Stage 4 observing trip.

STAGE 4
In Stage 4 you will undertake core modules such as Applied Quantum Mechanics, High Energy Particle Physics and Galaxies and Observational Cosmology. Optional modules include Theoretical Astrophysics, General Relativity and Black Holes, as well as other topics including Medical Physics, Biophysics and Photonics. You will also undertake a trip to an observatory in Spain where you will obtain optical data for your final-year astronomy project.

Support will be provided for students in applying to summer internship programmes at NASA, ESA, CERN and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.

The Physics with Astronomy & Space Science degree subject is accredited by the Institute of Physics, which positions graduates to go into the rapidly growing space sector. There are opportunities for well-qualified graduates to work with major space agencies, such as ESA and NASA, or with space companies. Graduates are also qualified to go into areas such as medical physics, meteorology, semiconductor technology, energy, ICT and finance. Graduates may apply for MSc programmes such as Space Science & Technology. They may also pursue research through PhD programmes in Ireland and abroad in many fields of physics.

Assoc. Prof. John Quinn
UCD Science Centre North
Belfield, Dublin 4
+353 1 716 2278
Email: john.quinn@ucd.ie
Web: Physics with Astronomy Space Science

Students should take 5 core modules and two option module module. Students are required to complete 50 programme credits in Stage 3. In addition, students may select 10 credits from elective modules to complete Stage 3 or alternatively, select additional modules from the BSc programme.

Students take 5 core modules (40 credits) and 4 option modules. If not taken in Stage 3, students MUST TAKE PHYC30050, PHYC30080 and PHYC30090 as 3 of their option modules in Stage 4.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
PHYC30170	Physics with Astronomy and Space Science Laboratory I	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
PHYC30020	Classical Mechanics and Relativity	Autumn	5
PHYC30030	Quantum Mechanics	Autumn	5
PHYC30100	Stellar Astrophysics & Astronomical Techniques	Autumn	5
PHYC30070	Electromagnetism	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)1OF: Students must take PHYC20100 if not taken in stage 2. If PHYC20100 had been taken in Stage 2, students must take PHYC30050 in Stage 3.
PHYC20100	Thermo & Stat Physics	Autumn	5
PHYC30050	Condensed Matter Physics	Autumn	5
Stage 3 Options - A)1OF: Students must take PHYC20100 if not taken in stage 2. If PHYC20100 had been taken in Stage 2, students must take PHYC30050 in Stage 3.
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN1OF: If not taken in Stage 2 students MUST TAKE ACM20030. If ACM20030 had been taken in Stage 2, students MUST TAKE PHYC30080 in Stage 3. PHYC30080 can be taken in Stage 3 or Stage 4.
ACM20030	Computational Science	Autumn	5
PHYC30080	Optics & Lasers	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN1OF: If not taken in Stage 2 students MUST TAKE ACM20030. If ACM20030 had been taken in Stage 2, students MUST TAKE PHYC30080 in Stage 3. PHYC30080 can be taken in Stage 3 or Stage 4.
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: PHYC30090 can be taken in Stage 3 or Stage 4. Students who wish to take PHYC40110 Medical Physics in Stage 4 must take PHYC30090 in Stage 3,
PHYC30090	Nuclear Physics	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: PHYC30090 can be taken in Stage 3 or Stage 4. Students who wish to take PHYC40110 Medical Physics in Stage 4 must take PHYC30090 in Stage 3,
Stage 3 Options - D)MIN0OF: Students are required to complete 50 programme credits (cores/options) in Stage 3. Additional Option modules may be selected from the list below instead of Elective modules to complete Stage 3.
ACM30220	Partial Differential Equations	Autumn	5
STAT20100	Inferential Statistics	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - D)MIN0OF: Students are required to complete 50 programme credits (cores/options) in Stage 3. Additional Option modules may be selected from the list below instead of Elective modules to complete Stage 3.
Stage 4 Core Modules
PHYC40600	Physics with Astronomy and Space Science Laboratory II	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	15
PHYC40890	Astronomy Field Trip (10)	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	10
PHYC40020	Applied Quantum Mechanics	Autumn	5
PHYC40080	High Energy Particle Physics	Autumn	5
PHYC40030	Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: If not taken in Stage 3, PHYC30050, PHYC30080 and PHYC30090 must be taken in Stage 4.
PHYC30050	Condensed Matter Physics	Autumn	5
PHYC30080	Optics & Lasers	Spring	5
PHYC30090	Nuclear Physics	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: If not taken in Stage 3, PHYC30050, PHYC30080 and PHYC30090 must be taken in Stage 4.
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN1OF: Students take a minimum of 1 option module from the list below. Students who have already completed PHYC30050, PHYC30080 and PHYC30090 in Stage 3 should take 4 option modules from this list. Students who take ACM41040 must also take ACM40750.
ACM40750	Gen Relativity & Black Holes	Autumn	5
PHYC40120	General Relativity & Cosmology	Autumn	5
PHYC40470	Computational Biophysics and Nanoscale Simulations	Autumn	5
PHYC40930	Ultrafast Soft X-ray Photonics	Autumn	5
PHYC41070	Techniques in Biophysics	Autumn	5
ACM30200	Mathematical Fluid Dynamics I	Spring	5
ACM41040	GR and Gravitational Waves	Spring	5
PHYC40110	Medical Physics (Selected Topics)	Spring	5
PHYC40210	Applied Optics	Spring	5
PHYC40360	Theoretical Astrophysics	Spring	5
PHYC40650	Advanced Statistical Physics	Spring	5
PHYC40800	Quantum Field Theory	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN1OF: Students take a minimum of 1 option module from the list below. Students who have already completed PHYC30050, PHYC30080 and PHYC30090 in Stage 3 should take 4 option modules from this list. Students who take ACM41040 must also take ACM40750.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47