Course Details

CAO Code:

Course Type:

Undergraduate

NFQ Level:

8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information

Placement:

Yes

Delivery Mode:

Full-time

Minimum Points

434

Duration:

4 yr

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.

Throughout the course, you’ll build your communication skills and nurture your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 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.

To do this course, you must first complete the first year of Physics General Entry at DCU.

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

There is no direct entry to the programme via CAO. All entries to this programme are via DC175 Physics General Entry.

Advanced Entry

Holders of Higher Certificate/National Certificates or Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diplomas with Merit or Distinction may be admitted into second year if the relevant Programme Boards are satisfied that the candidate has achieved an appropriate standard in the major subjects covered in Year One. Direct entry into third year is possible for well-motivated students holding a distinction at Diploma level in a related discipline.

 

International Applications

There is no direct entry to the programme. All entries to this programme are via DC175 Physics General Entry

For further information on international applications click here.