Course Summary
Do you enjoy maths and have a keen interest in how the universe works? This course is ideal for you. It’s all about how physics can help to answer the puzzles of the universe. Astronomy is the oldest of the sciences, but you’ll discover how it’s evolving incredibly quickly in the 21st century, with more and more sensitive instruments yielding more and better data.
By the time you graduate, you’ll know the latest techniques used to observe the sky at different energies, and why multi-wavelength observations are crucial to understanding the true nature of cosmic sources. You’ll learn through lectures and by doing lab work, where you’ll get to explore the nature of sources using real X-ray data collected by the XMM-Newton observatory.
Broad-based skills and real-world experience
Along with studying physics and mathematics, you’ll gain basic programming skills and significant practice in data analysis. In third year, you’ll do an INTRA work placement, which could be in a business, scientific or industrial organisation operating in physics, astronomy or space science. Furthermore, you should get to visit an observatory or major European data centre.
Academic Spotlights - A Star is Born
Professor Turlough Downes has spent his whole life reaching for the stars. As a child he remembers gazing up at distant constellations in the night sky. In his current role as Astrophysicist and Professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences at DCU and Director of the Centre for Astrophysics and Relativity (C-fAR) he… well, he gazes up at distant constellations in the night sky. Click HERE to find out more.
College Link
College Virtual Tour
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
To view Mature Entry requirements, or alternative requirements, please visit Qualifax or the Colleges' website
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
QQI / FET Links
PLC courses leading to the following QQI Major Awards may be used for entry into this course.
Search for PLC Courses offering these awards
(Click on the Codes)
| Note: Information for 2024 Entry | |
| Award Code | Award Title |
| 5M3807 | Laboratory Techniques |
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Typical careers for graduates include research and development in astronomy, astrophysics and space science, image processing and analysis (for example, for medical physics companies and organisations), and statistical analysis.
Successful completion of this Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8) satisfies the current Teaching Council of Ireland subject curricular requirements for the teaching of physics at post-primary level.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
