Astronomy at Leiden Observatory. Introduction for MSc Students. First version: July 2012, Paul van der Werf & Nathalie Strookman

Transcription

1 Astronomy at Leiden Observatory Introduction for MSc Students First version: July 2012, Paul van der Werf & Nathalie Strookman Date July 23, 2012

2 Table of Contents Preface... 3 Chapter 1 First and Foremost... 4 Chapter 2 Sterrewacht Leiden Research Institute Astronomy Teaching Programme... 5 Chapter 3 The MSc Programme Astronomy Admission to the MSc programme Nature of the programme The Study Plan Staff, students and who is who Study Association De Leidsche Flesch The Buddy System for International Students Map of the Faculty Appendix I Example study plans Example I Example II Appendix II What does the first week look like? Important dates

3 Preface This guide is intended as a first introduction to Leiden Observatory for incoming MSc students. It aims at pointing out important practical matters concerning the MSc programme at Leiden Observatory. It only covers Astronomy-specific issues, and excludes all topics that are general to Leiden University as a whole. Where possible, this document refers to information at the Leiden Observatory website ( which should be the first stop for all information searches and contains the most up to date information. Detailed information on the study programme is also found on the website, as well as in the paper study guide. To get foreigners used to the Dutch language, many of the terms in this text referring to specific university entities/titles are given in Dutch as well. 3

4 Chapter 1 First and Foremost Whom do you talk to when you need: You need: Who to contact: Practical study-related information study coordinator, Arianne Pen (room 568) Information concerning contents of your study programme MSc Student advisor Computer account/access David Jansen (room 409c) Mailbox/pigeonhole secretaries (room 551) Keys (room and building) secretaries (room 551) Office supplies secretaries (room 551) Being an expat in The Netherlands 4

5 Chapter 2 Sterrewacht Leiden Sterrewacht Leiden is the actually composed of two overlapping entities, an Opleiding or School, which is the regular university structure responsible for the bachelor s and master s programmes, and an Onderzoeksinstituut or Research Institute. There is complete overlap between the staff of both entities. Both are part of the Faculteit Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen or FWN, i.e. the Faculty of Science, which in turn is one of the seven Faculties of the Universiteit Leiden, Leiden University. 2.1 Research Institute The name of the Research Institute is Sterrewacht Leiden or Leiden Observatory. Note that Sterrewacht is spelled in traditional manner with a capital S and without the n of sterrenwacht, the generic Dutch word for an astronomical observatory in the currently mandatory spelling. The Research Institute was devised several decades ago in order to create a more flexible and less bureaucratic structure for carrying out research. One effect of the creation of this structure was the appointment of a Wetenschappelijk Directeur (Scientific Director) heading the Research Institute. 2.2 Astronomy Teaching Programme The Astronomy Teaching Programme is headed by a Onderwijsdirecteur (Director of Studies), who is responsible for the astronomy teaching programme. He is supported by the Study Coordinator who deals with all practical matters. Two Student Advisors for the bachelor and master programmes respectively are responsible for day-to-day coaching of students. The Director of Studies is advised by the Opleidingscommissie (Teaching Committee, a committee required by Dutch law) consisting of students and teaching staff. Since much of the curriculum, especially in the bachelor s phase, involves physics 5

6 courses, the Director of Studies, the bachelor student advisor, students and teachers also regularly confer with their counterparts from the Physics Division in the Joint Teaching Committee Physics and Astronomy. Another committee required by Dutch law is the Examencommissie (Board of Examiners). The Board of Examiners does not report to the Director of Studies but is an independent body within the Observatory. Among its duties are monitoring the quality of examinations, and the awarding of degrees. 6

7 Chapter 3 The MSc programme Astronomy 3.1 Admission to the MSc programme Admission to the Astronomy MSc programme at Leiden Observatory is governed by the programme s Board of Admissions. This Board evaluates your previous academic achievements, taking into account grades, quality and contents of your BSc. The Board of Admissions may admit you without further remarks, but may also recommend that you compensate certain deficiencies. Such recommendations usually involve doing a particular course from the BSc programme, in the form of self-study. These recommendations are also transmitted to the Student Advisor and should be taken quite seriously, since the MSc programme assumes that you have mastered this material. 3.2 Nature of the programme In comparison to some other programmes, in particular abroad, it is very important to realize that the Astronomy MSc programme in Leiden assumes and requires a great deal of independence on the part of the student. This cannot be overemphasized. This implies both an opportunity and a responsibility on the part of the student. It is an opportunity for you to tailor the programme to your specific interests, preferences, tastes and abilities. However, it also means that you need to take the initiative to do so, and that you need to exercize judgement to gauge whether a particular programme is suitable or not. This is where the Student Advisor can help, and you should always seek his advice on matters relating to your programme. 3.3 The Study Plan The first two things to do when arriving in Leiden are: 1. Report to the Study Coordinator, who will deal with all practical issues; 2. Make an appointment with the Student Advisor to discuss your Study Plan. 7

8 The Study Plan is central to your MSc programme. It consists of a fully specified plan for your 2-yr MSc programme, including all courses and research projects. All options and boundary conditions for putting together a Study Plan are listed on the website of the Astronomy MSc programme. Since this is an extremely important step, it is vitally important to study all options closely. Take ample time for doing this. When you have put together a Study Plan that you are happy with, you should discuss it with the Student Advisor. Note that a Study Plan can only be accepted if approved by the Student Advisor. An example Study Plan can be found in Appendix I of this guide. Once accepted, the Study Plan is entered in a computer database, and progress will be regularly monitored by the Student Advisor. Note that changes to the Study Plan are possible at every stage, but they will always need to be approved by the Student Advisor. All information is available in the (on-line) study guide. Please take the time to study this closely. The formal document describing the boundary conditions for a valid MSc programme is the Onderwijs en Examen Regeling (OER), or (Course and Examination Regulations). The OER can be downloaded (in English) from the Observatory website. Generally, a Study Plan will have to be consistent with the options described in the OER. It is however possible in individual case to deviate from this. However, this will require explicit approval by the Board of Examiners. 3.4 Staff, students and who is who The following categories of scientific staff exist: Tenured Faculty: Universitaire Docenten, Universitaire Hoofddocenten and Hoogleraren correspond to Assistant, Associate and Full Professors. These do all the teaching. Postdoctoral Fellows (Postdocs): These are part of the Tijdelijke Wetenschappelijke Staf (Temporary Scientific Staff) and are in Leiden usually for periods of one to three years, having recently obtained their Ph.D. They are generally supported by funds external to the University. They play no strong role 8

9 in the teaching programme, but may play a role in the daily supervision of research projects. Promovendi (Ph.D Candidates): Although equivalent to (post)graduate students elsewhere, they are traditionally not considered to be students but rather junior staff members. Ph.D candidates are also part of the Tijdelijke Wetenschappelijke Staf (Temporary Scientific Staff). As part of their duties, they assist the Tenured Faculty as Teaching Assistants (TAs). Who are all these people? An (almost) up-to-date list can be accessed at the Sterrewacht Website, and there is also a rogue s gallery on the wall next to the staircase on the fourth floor of the J.H. Oort building. Web access: Study Association De Leidsche Flesch De Leidsche Flesch is the study association for students studying physics, astronomy, mathematics or computer science in Leiden. Book sales, excursions, study trips, (lunch)lectures, sport activities, symposia and informal gettogethers are only a few of the activities organised by De Leidsche Flesch. Moreover, exams from previous years are downloadable from their site. If you want more information about De Leidsche Flesch or if you want to sign up as a member, you can visit the website Membership is recommended. See also: The Buddy System for International Students In 2012 a Buddy system for international students has been set up. Each international student gets assigned a Buddy in the form of an international Ph.D student who also followed the MSc programme in Astronomy at Leiden University. This Buddy is there for help in getting settled in Leiden and Leiden Observatory in particular. 9

10 3.7 Map of the Faculty Leiden Observatory is located at the Oort Building (number 2 on the map). As a reference point: Central Station is located on the right side of the map. Please also have a look on 10

11 Appendix I Example study plans Example I Requirement Mandatory Core Course (6 EC) Two Other Core Courses (12 EC) One Instrument-Related Course (6 EC) Any Astronomy Courses (minimum 12 EC) Non-Astronomy Courses (number of ECs varies) Minor Project (24 EC) Major Project (36 EC) Courses Stellar Structure and Evolution Origin and Evolution of the Universe Galaxies: structures, dynamics and evolution Astronomy from Space Radio Astronomy Stellar Dynamics Data Bases and Data Mining Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Formation Observational Cosmology Introduction to Astro-Particle Physics Particle Physics and the Early Universe Theoretical Cosmology Theory of General Relativity Effective Field Theory Science and the Public Example II Requirement Mandatory Core Course (6 EC) Two Other Core Courses (12 EC) One Instrument-Related Course (6 EC) Any Astronomy Courses (12 EC) Non-Astronomy Courses (24 EC) Minor Project (24 EC) Major Project (36 EC) Courses Stellar Structure and Evolution Origin and Evolution of the Universe Interstellar Medium Astronomy from Space Star Formation Astrochemistry Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Formation Introduction to Astro-Particle Physics Particle Physics and the Early Universe Linear Analysis Theory of General Relativity 11

12 Appendix II - What does the first week look like? Important dates The schedule for the entire year can be found on: All lectures are located in the Huygens Laboratory/Oort Building. Address: Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA, Leiden. Thursday 30th and Friday 31st of August 2012: Introduction days Introduction days are organized centrally. If you wish to participate you can sign up via: The Faculty of Science participates in this program on Thursday the 30th of August 2012 from Tuesday 4th of September: Introduction by Director of Studies A short introduction will be given by the Director of Studies on Tuesday morning the 4th of September 2012 in Room 414 of the Huygens Laboratory (Niels Bohrweg 2, Leiden) Thursday afternoon September 6th: social activity for all new Astronomy MSc students Thursday September 13th: Sterrewacht Science Day (De Sitterzaal, Hugyens Laboratory) An introduction day to the research groups and people of the Sterrewacht 12