Astrophysics and Mathematics

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Course overview

At Keele, studying a combined honours degree will include some modules from both of the single honours degrees. In this case, your programme will be made up of a combination of modules from both Astrophysics and Mathematics.

Key facts

International year

Fees and finance

Course content

In Astrophysics, you will learn to formulate and tackle problems – from below the level of the atomic nucleus to astronomical scales. Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena.

You’ll develop your mathematics and computing skills, and apply them to solving a range of problems in the laboratory and beyond (you’ll have access to Keele’s own on-site observatory). We operate an open-door policy, which enables you to have excellent and flexible access to staff to seek advice or feedback on their work. This course is enriched by our research interests and international collaborative research programmes.

This combined course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.

Alongside this you will be studying Mathematics where will explore the beauty, elegance and practicality of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. You will learn to use maths to develop precise and logical arguments, construct rigorous proofs, and formulate solutions to new problems. You will study in an intellectually stimulating environment amongst mathematicians producing world-leading research.

We recognise the need for making the transition from A Level to University Mathematics as smooth as possible and have a carefully designed first year curriculum and a multi-layered student support structure.

Course structure

Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.

There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:

Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.

Astrophysics - A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Astrophysics modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
Year	Compulsory	Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	30	30	30	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Mathematics - A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. Combined Honours Mathematics students must study 60 Mathematics credits in each academic year. This document has information about Mathematics modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
Year	Compulsory	Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	15	45	45	0	0
3*	0	60	60	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Year 1 (Level 4)

Astrophysics Year 1 (Level 4)

At level 4, Physics and Astrophysics students require a common knowledge and skills base. Therefore, many of the modules taught at level 4 are common to Physics and Astrophysics disciplines. You will study FOUR lecture-based modules of core Astrophysics.

The lecture-based modules are supported by problem classes and assessed problem sheets with an end of semester examination in each. These modules also include lectures, problems classes and tutorials in mathematics, and laboratory classes, which are an essential part of Astrophysics. The module descriptors provide detailed synopses of each module with suggested study reading and are available on the KLE.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Mechanics, Gravity and Relativity	15	None
Nature of Matter	15
Oscillations and Waves	15
Electricity and Stellar Structure	15

Mathematics Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Algebra	30	None
Calculus	30

Year 2 (Level 5)

Astrophysics Year 2 (Level 5)

At level 5 you continue to be taught the fundamentals of Physics. Modules are common to Physics and Astrophysics in the first semester of the second year, but diverge significantly from the second semester of the second year onwards. In the first semester you take an Optics Laboratory and a short series of classes in developing your mathematical skills. In the second semester you take an Astrophysics laboratory.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Quantum Mechanics	15	None
Optics and Thermodynamics	15
Statistical mechanics and Solid State Physics	15
Stellar Astrophysics	15

Mathematics Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Differential Equations	15	Probability	15
		Exploring Algebra and Analysis	15
		Computational Mathematics	15
		Complex Variable I and Vector Calculus	15
		Dynamics	15
		Mathematical Modelling	15
		Abstract Algebra	15
		Analysis II	15
		Introduction to Mathematics Education	15
		Optional Modules: in each semester students take two 15-credit modules

Year 3 (Level 6)

Astrophysics Year 3 (Level 6)

At level 6, you complete a group research project and follow one compulsory module plus two optional core modules of your choice from a list of available modules.

Compulsory Core modules	Credits	Optional core modules	Credits
Group Project and Science Communication	15	Cosmology	15
Electromagnetism	15	Physics of the Interstellar Medium	15
		The Physics of Compact Objects	15
		Quantum Physics of Atoms and Molecules	15
		Polymer Physics	15
		Particle Physics and Accelerators	15
		Binary Stars and Extrasolar Planets	15
		Life in the Universe	15
		Computational Methods in Physics and Astrophysics	15
		Data Analysis and Model testing	15
		The Physics of Galaxies	15
		Quantum Mechanics II	15
		Physics of Fluids	15
		Atmospheric Physics	15
		Plasma Physics	15

Mathematics Year 3 (Level 6)

Optional modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Nonlinear Differential Equations	15	Linear Algebra	15
Partial Differential Equations	15	Complex Variable II	15
Group Theory	15	Waves	15
Number Theory and Cryptography	15	Medical Statistics	15
Professional Mathematics	15	Mathematical Biology	15
Applied Time Series	15	Ring and Field Theory	15
Linear Statistical Models	15	Codes and Cryptography	15
Metric Spaces and Topology	15	Introduction to Mathematics Teaching	15
Graph Theory	15	Project	15
Fluid Mechanics	15	Medical Statistics Project	30
Optional Modules: students normally choose two 15-credit modules in each semester. The choice will depend on any timetabling restrictions and will be subject to the student having met the necessary prerequisites. Some modules may not be available every year.

If you choose to specialise in Astrophysics in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory Core modules	Credits	Optional core modules	Credits
Group Project and Science Communication	15	Cosmology	15
Electromagnetism	15	Physics of the Interstellar Medium	15
Dissertation	15	The Physics of Compact Objects	15
		Quantum Physics of Atoms and Molecules	15
		Polymer Physics	15
		Particle Physics and Accelerators	15
		Binary Stars and Extrasolar Planets	15
		Life in the Universe	15
		Computational Methods in Physics and Astrophysics	15
		Data Analysis and Model testing	15
		The Physics of Galaxies	15
		Quantum Mechanics II	15
		Physics of Fluids	15
		Atmospheric Physics	15
		Plasma Physics	15

You may, in addition to modules listed, include in level 6 of your Astrophysics course one suitable programme approved elective module from another Principal Course, provided that you are not taking the Principal Course from which that module is derived as part of your Combined Honours combination.

You will find that in teaching you we put emphasis on problem solving. This occurs in examples classes where you solve practice problems in Astrophysics in class with staff to assist you, in laboratory teaching where you will be expected to address practical problems and in your directed work for assessment. You are encouraged to call upon module leaders and the director of study for guidance. The academic staff will be willing to see you at almost any time and you will have one-to-one progress interviews each semester. The teaching team will monitor your progress and we will contact you if we find that you are not achieving all that you should and advise you on how to improve.

You will benefit from a flexible approach to learning the mathematical skills that are essential to the learning and application of Astrophysics. You will find that the classes on mathematics in level 4 are presented in a series of blocks. An assessment test is taken at the end of the class blocks. You will also attend supplementary supporting tutorials in mathematics.

For further information on the content of modules currently offered, including the list of elective modules, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az.

The module details given above are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, achieving 96% graduate employability in 2017 in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey.

An Astrophysics degree from Keele will prepare you for many different careers, which need not be directly related to astrophysics. You could take up all sorts of roles in industry, management, and public services, including teaching, health and finance. Many employers recognise that the versatility and flexibility of astrophysics means that graduates possess a wide range of very valuable skills, from independent and critical thinking to the solving of sophisticated problems.

Employers value numerate, versatile graduates who can communicate. With a Keele Astrophysics and Mathematics degree you could take up roles as a research scientist, medical physicist, or enter the space, telecommunications or nuclear industries. You may instead find employment as a science writer, chartered accountant or IT consultant. Many of our graduates go onto further study at Master’s/PhD level.

Through the combined honours degree in Mathematics, it helps you to take novel approaches to problem solving and make critical interpretations of data and text; your skills will be in demand wherever there’s a need for logical thinking. An extremely wide range of career paths is open to mathematicians, where high levels of mathematical ability are desirable. This can include fields of work as diverse as finance, data analytics, teaching, engineering, medical statistics and management consultancy.

Recent employers

Apple
Center Parcs
Jaguar Landrover
BT
Capita
Co-op Bank
Deloitte
NHS
RAC
Local Government
Edmundson Electrical
Vitalograph Ltd
Bet365

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

Research Scientist
Geophysicist
Science Teacher
HE Lecturer
Medical Physicist
Operational Researcher
Software Engineer
Radiation Practitioner
Aeronautical Engineer
Operational Researcher
Actuary
Statistician
Secondary Teacher

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.
It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.