Masters in Astrophysics and Space Science

The programme is being hosted by the University of Cape Town, Students will spend the first semester at UCT completing the taught component of the Masters. This consists of 5 NASSP courses taught by distinguished South African researchers, flown in from research institutions participating in NASSP.

Thereafter, students will work on a research topic under the supervision of scientists from one of the institutions participating in NASSP and be registered for an MSc at that institution. Students could also be co-supervised by scientists from the NRF National Facilities such as the South African Astronomical Observatory and the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory.

This unique new opportunity in Southern Africa aims at producing highly skilled people who will be in demand in fields ranging from aerospace to financial services to telecommunications - all areas where astronomers trained overseas have been successful. Other graduates will join the growing community of African researchers who will use the continent's new "giant eyes" to explore the Universe - our environment on the grandest possible scale.

Programme Outline

The taught part of the masters programme (coded AST5003F) requires 5 units. Each units corresponds to 24 lectures and 6 tutorials. Courses on the following topics will be presented (provisional list

Course

Units

Lecturer

Plasma Physics

1

Manfred Hellberg (UND)

Magnetohydrodynamics

1

Lindsay Magnus (HMO)

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy

1

Pieter Kotze (HMO)
Lee-Anne McKinnell (HMO/Rhodes)

Hot Topics in Cosmology

1

Peter Dunsby (UCT)

Cataclysmic Variables

1

Brian Warner (UCT)

Extragalactic Astronomy

1

Renée Kraan-Korteweg (UCT)

Advanced General Relativity

1

Charles Hellaby (UCT)

High Energy Astrophysics and Pulsars

1

Okkie de Jager (NWU Potchefstroom)

General Astrophysics

2

Patrick Woudt (UCT)

Enrico Olivier (UWC,SAAO)

Erwin de Blok (UCT)

Stellar Structure and Evolution

1

Thebe Medupe (SAAO)

Observational Cosmology

1

Bruce Bassett (UCT)

Observational Techniques

1

David Buckley (SAAO)

Space Technology

2

Peter Martinez

Computational Astrophysics

1

Ian Steward

Bursaries

Students accepted onto the programme will be considered for NRF-Ford Foundation grants valued at R71 500.

Accommodation

Accommodation for NASSP students has been arranged in Rosebank. Special social events will be organised throughout the year to provide an opportunity for students to get better acquainted with the astrophysics community.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain a good BSc degree in Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy or Engineering.

Application procedure and deadline

For details on how to apply please click HERE. The deadline for applications is 15th October 2010. Late applications may be considered.

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