Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This course is an elective in the MSc Physics and Astronomy track Astronomy and Astrophysics, which offers the students the chance to carry out a more in-depth study or mini-project prior to their final year project, and which requires more independence of the student than in the regular taught courses. Examples include a mini-research project aimed at learning a particular research skill (e.g., programming, HPC simulations, data analysis) or exploring a particular research topic. Other examples are the extension/write-up of a previous research project into a paper to be submitted for publication, or a literature study on a topic not usually offered by the Anton Pannekoek Institute. It could also be anything else that fits under the topic of Astronomy and Astrophysics, is at the right level, requires independent work and is not covered by existing courses such as the Academic Skills project.

It is up to the student to define a topic and find a staff member willing to supervise it. To start the course, the student needs to submit a proposal for a topic and a supervising staff member for approval to the supervising staff member and the Track Coordinator for the MSc A&A. This should define the topic, frequency of supervision, form of assessment, and number of credits desired (3 or 6 including justification in terms of expected time taken), as well as a target end date and a tentative timeline/breakdown for the project. It should also make clear what makes the topic MSc level.

Study materials

Other

  • Will be defined when the project is selected.

Objectives

    Teaching methods

    • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

    Learning activities

    Activity

    Number of hours

    Zelfstudie

    168

    Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.
  • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    The grade is determined by the examiner/supervisor, based on the research project performance combined with a short report or research paper written by the student. More information on the grading guidelines can be found on the Canvas pages of the A&A MSc track.

    Inspection of assessed work

    Contact your supervisor to make an appointment for inspection.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Will be defined when the project is selected.

    Additional information

    This course is intended primarily for students on the A&A track, but is also open to students from GRAPPA or GPA tracks who wish to do an Astrovaria project at API.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. Nathalie Degenaar