Admission requirements
You can only participate after successful completion of both the first and second year of the Astronomy bachelor’s programme. If you do not meet this requirement, you will need to contact the Astronomy study advisor who decides whether authorization for participation can be given based on the number of EC's you have obtained.
Description
In the Bachelor Research Project (BRP), you and your research partner perform independent scientific research in one of the research groups of Leiden Observatory during a period of 20 weeks. Working together in a team is an essential research skill, which, typically, you will practice by performing your research as a student duo. You will learn to define a scientific question, search for a method to address this question and apply this method to obtain more insight in the question raised. You will discuss your conclusions in a short scientific presentation and in a written bachelor research thesis.
In November-December, a list of available research projects and their supervisors will be made available by the BRP coordinator. In order to be eligible for starting your BRP, you first need permission from the Astronomy study advisor. Following permission, you will choose one of the available projects.
You will start your BRP with the RSSI program: a number of courses that address specific research skills, including project management, academic writing, presenting and the use of scientific databases, as well as ethical considerations in academia. In parallel, you will join your research group. You will start your research as part of ongoing work in the host group and participate in regular group meetings and other activities. There will be several BRP meetings during the course of your project, where you meet with your fellow BRP students and the BRP coordinators to briefly discuss the progress of your research. This starts with a short talk on "Introducing my project" in the first month, continues with a "Midterm talk" halfway and is concluded with your "BRP presentation" at the end of your BRP. Additionally, in April you will meet with your supervisor to discuss your progress in a midterm review. At the end of your project, in mid June, you will hand in your BRP thesis.
Course objectives
After completion of the Bachelor Research Project you will be able to conduct innovative scientific research from the first conception of a research subject up to reporting and presenting the conclusions drawn from the research and in a scientifically fully sound way.
This means that after this project you will be able to:
Write an innovative measurement plan on the basis of which usable results can be expected
Transfer plans into practice, critically interpreting the outcome of your research
Interpret results in an objective way, linking your research question to a scientific conclusion
Collaborate with a research partner, discussing your plans, results and next steps
Present your research question, research approach, research findings and conclusions, both orally and in a conclusive bachelor research thesis
Soft skills
The Bachelor Research Project also strengthens the development of a number of behaviour-oriented skills. After the project, you will be able to:
Collaborate within a research group, contributing to its scientific momentum
Plan your research activities realistically and deliver expected products before deadlines
Divide tasks between yourself and a research partner and write collaboratively
Professionally respond to feedback and to incorporate the feedback into the research by adapting your practices
Furthermore, the BRP will stimulate your independent thinking and your ability to search for creative and original solutions and thereby enhance your auto-didactic abilities.
Timetable
The schedule largely follows the planning of the hosting BRP group. Special BRP events are communicated through Brightspace by the BRP coordinator.
See the Roadmap on the Bachelor Research Project website.
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different
Mode of instruction
Lectures on research skills
Research
Daily supervision guarantees that you stay on track. In addition, you will attend regular meetings with the BRP coordinators to learn from the experiences of your BRP fellows.
Assessment method
Bachelor Project: Research (18 EC) will be assessed by your direct and formal supervisor
Bachelor Project: Thesis (3 EC) will be evaluated by your direct and formal supervisor and a second assessor
Bachelor Project: Presentation (1 EC) will be evaluated by your BRP coordinator.
For more details, see the Grading section #15 on the Bachelor Research Projectwebsite.
Reading list
Relevant information will be provided by the BRP coordinator. Literature on your research topic will be provided by your direct supervisor.
Registration
For more information about the registration process see the Bachelor Research Project website.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. M.P. van Daalen
Assistant: Julia Santos de Carvalho
Remarks
None