AUT - Astronomy major: Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences/ Bachelor of Science
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Astronomy major: Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences/ Bachelor of Science
High performance computing and broadband networking have become increasingly central to modern astronomy and space science. AUT University’s Astronomy major has an applied nature and orientation with a strong grounding in computing as well as mathematics.
Students are introduced to the basics and the latest developments in astronomy and space science, spherical astronomy, celestial mechanics, theoretical astrophysics and mathematical physics, as well as the specialisations of AUT’s Institute for Radiophysics and Space Research, which include radio astronomy and space geodesy. This major builds on papers in physics, computing and applied mathematics.
Structure
Most papers last one semester and are worth 15 points. You must complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree). In each year you will study core (compulsory) papers, and select other papers from a range of options.
Year 1 papers - 120 points in total
SELECT ONE (15 points):
Level 5:
145612 Applied Communication (15)
555301 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15)
AND SEVEN (105 points) FROM:
715184 Applied Statistics (15)
715186 Differential and Integral Calculus (15)
715187 Computer Organisation (15)
715189 Algebra and Discrete Mathematics (15)
715202 Physics I (15)
715204 Introductory Astronomy (15)
715205 Finite Mathematics (15)
715700 Probability Theory and Applications (15)
735318 Programming for Engineering Applications (15)
735320 Object Oriented Applications (15)
Year 2 papers - 120 points in total
Students will take Spherical Astronomy, Physics and Astrophysics and other papers in applied mathematics and computing.
CORE PAPERS
Level 6:
716186 Multivariate Calculus (15)
716201 Computational Spherical Astronomy (15)
716202 Physics II (15)
716210 Astrophysics (15)
With a further four papers (60 points) from other Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences papers.
Year 3 papers - 120 points in total
In the third year students will take Frontiers of Astronomy, Practical Astrophysics, Radio Astronomy and undertake a research project in computational astrophysics.
CORE PAPERS
Level 7:
717900 Research Project (30)
717210 Practical Astrophysics (15)
717220 Radio Astronomy (15)
717230 Frontiers of Astronomy (15)
With a further three papers (45 points) from Astronomy electives and other Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences papers.
ASTRONOMY ELECTIVES
Level 7:
717001 Special Topic A (15)
717002 Special Topic B (15)
Click here to view programme structure and paper outlines.
Additional course information can also be found here.
Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.
Career opportunities
- Astronomer
- Industrial mathematician
- Observatory technician or research officer
- Planetarium lecturer
- Programmer or systems developer
- Scientific programmer
- Secondary teacher (following an additional year of teacher training)
- Technical software developer