Admission requirements
You can only participate after successful completion of both the first and second year of the double bachelor's programme in Astronomy and Mathematics. 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 independently perform scientific research in one of the research groups of Leiden Observatory during a period of 17 weeks. 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 a number of courses that address specific research skills, including time management and the use of scientific databases. In parallel, you will join your research group. You will start your research as part of ongoing work in the host group. You will participate in regular group meetings and other activities. Every two weeks there will be a BRP meeting event, where you meet with your fellow BRP students and the BRP coordinators to shortly 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. On the last Friday in June you need to hand in your BRP thesis.
You can find the full procedure on the Astronomy Bachelor Research Project website.
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
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
Professionally respond to feedback and to incorporate the feedback into the research by adapting your practices
Futhermore, 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 Blackboard by the BRP coordinator.
See the Roadmap on the Astronomy 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 biweekly meetings with the BRP coordinators to learn from the experiences of your BRP fellows.
Assessment method
The full Bachelor Research Project (24 EC) will be assessed by your direct supervisor. Your thesis and oral presentation will also be evaluated by a second assessor from the Mathematics programme. See also the Grading #15 tab on the Astronomy Bachelor Research Project website.
Reading list
Relevant information will be provided by the BRP coordinator. Literature on your research topic will be provided by your direct supervisor.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for registering on time, i.e. 14 days before the start of the course. This can be done via Mystudymap. You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2. Please note: late registration is not possible.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from July; registration for courses in the second semester is possible from December. First-year bachelor students are registered for semester 1 by the faculty student administration; they do not have to do this themselves. For more information, see this page
In addition, it is mandatory for all students, including first-year bachelor students, to register for exams. This can be done up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the exam or up to five calendar days in case of a retake exam. You cannot participate in the exam or retake without a valid registration in My Studymap.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to register. For a la carte and contract registration, please see the dedicated section on the Prospective students website.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. M.P. van Daalen
Assistants: Julia Santos de Carvalho
Remarks
none