What is Astrophysics?

The Physics and Astrophysics course studies the universe, how it has arisen, and the ways in which it functions. Using the laws of physics derived from the world around us we apply these on cosmic scales and times to study topics such as the formation of planetary systems, how stars are powered and evolve, the structure and motion of galaxies, as well as everything in between. 

 

Physics and Astrophysics: The course for you?

Physics and Astrophysics students study the fundamentals of classical and quantum physics, the physics of motion, energy and of light, applying to both individual particles and ensembles of particles, on scales from the macroscopic and the microscopic encompassing atomic, nuclear and fundamental particle physics, but extending to stellar, galactic and cosmic scales. The emphasis in the latter years turns more towards Astrophysics, observational data analysis and the understanding of what happens based on our observations of the universe. The course puts an emphasis on data analysis to understand the world, skills which underpin many modern careers and not simply that of a research astrophysicist. 

 

Physics and Astrophysics at Trinity

Physics and Astrophysics is taught within the School of Physics but has strong astrophysical teaching and research links beyond Trinity. All of our lecturers run research groups with major strengths in light pollution studies, radio astronomy, exoplanets, and stellar astrophysics among others. Every student is encouraged to apply physics to the universe at large and computational skills are developed. Research training culminates in the individual Capstone research project carried out in the final year on a topic in either astrophysics or physics. Typically, students become very skilled in analysis of observations, in computer simulations and in the handling and analysing of large datasets.