PH32045: Data analysis for astrophysics
[Page last updated: 28 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
| Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 1
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| Assessment Summary: | CWRI 80%, CWSI 20% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Data analysis coursework (CWSI 20%)
- Astrophysics research paper (CWRI 80%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
Before or while taking this module you must ( take PH22009 AND take PH12004 ) OR ( take PH20104 AND take PH10102 )
OR take PH32018
In taking this module you cannot take PH32043
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| Learning Outcomes: |
After taking this unit, the student should be able to:
芒锟铰lan and evaluate astronomical observations based on their understanding of instrumentation;
芒锟铰pply data reduction techniques;
芒锟铰pply basic modelling techniques;
芒锟铰pply and interpret statistical tests;
芒锟铰erform literature searches specific to astrophysics;
芒锟铰resent research result clearly in writing;
芒锟铰ritically assess aspects of astronomical literature;
芒锟铰ork independently on a research project;
芒锟铰olve problems independently and in a group.
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| Synopsis: | Coding, visualisation and statistical techniques are central to the methods used for data analysis in observational astronomy, and this unit will give you an insight into how astronomers carry out their research. Working independently and in groups on a particular science question, you will determine which data are needed, perform data analysis, model your data, perform statistical tests, write up your results and plan future research based on what you have found.
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| Content: | Instrumentation: Astronomical instrumentation & detectors; current facilities in astronomy; choosing the appropriate setup for a science question.
Data analysis: Astronomical data reduction (photometry); optical data reduction (bias, flatfielding, calibration); error estimation for astronomical data; implementation of techniques in Python.
Modelling: Introduction to modelling; fitting techniques (least squares, ML); model comparison); implementation of modelling techniques in Python.
Interpretation: Selection effects; combining datasets.
Proposals: Observation planning; proposal writing.
Presentation: Astronomical literature search and standards; publication processes.
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| Course availability: |
PH32045 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Physics
- USPH-AFB26 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB20 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB24 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM20 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM12 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM22 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM14 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM23 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM15 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM21 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM13 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM24 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM25 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM26 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
- 好色tv and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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