To demonstrate and provide experience of key aspects of professional practice in scientific research-related careers other than the research itself, such as peer review, proposal development, experimental design, and public communication of research results. To provide the opportunity for students to deepen their background understanding of specific astrophysics topics, especially those related to their final-year project. To develop the ability of the student to think critically about published scientific results, dealing with the objective criticism of existing articles, papers and lecture/seminar presentations, as well as the creation of new material and to communicate results and ideas in astrophysics at a range of technical levels. To help students bridge the gap between understanding undergraduate texts and dissecting a journal paper, while at the same time emphasising the importance of being able to communicate ideas concisely and clearly at a simpler level

(LO1) The ability to create their own articles, research proposals, discussions, etc., building on the experience gained during the module, and to use this experience beyond the module content.

(LO2) The critical-thinking skills needed to form evidence-based arguments and communicate these persuasively in a wide range of contexts from peer review to formal proposal writing.

(LO3) The ability to understand and objectively critique current arguments in astrophysics and communicate these appropriately at a range of levels up to to research seminars and proposals.

(LO4) An understanding of professional practice in science research

(LO5) A deeper knowledge of current topics in modern astrophysics

(S1) Communication skills

(S2) Organisational skills

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation

(S4) Information skills - Information accessing:[Locating relevant information] [Identifying and evaluating information sources]

The module will run throughout the second semester, supported by hour-long tutorials every week. There will be a participative three-hour telescope-time allocation panel exercise, led by students. In addition to the formal assessed elements of the module, students will be invited to attend Astrophysics research seminars given by speakers from other universities and the content will be discussed in tutorial sessions.   Over the duration of the course, students will learn to and be assessed on their ability to critique and produce popular and technical communication of complex astrophysical concepts targeted at a wide range of recipients from expert researchers to lay audiences, using oral and written work. They will critically review project proposals and produce their own, designing an experiment of their choice. The students will (a) take part in a simulated telescope time allocation committee, to assess and rank a set of real telescope-time proposals (b) write their own teles cope-time proposal for a telescope of their choice to perform an experiment again of their choice

Teaching Method 1 - Tutorial
Description: 1hr per week
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Group-work
Description: 3 hour telescope time allocation committee
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Seminar
Description: Departmental seminars 1hr per week Wednesday 15:30-16:30
Attendance Recorded: No