Prospectus

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Astronomy and Instrumentation

Master

Structure of the programme

This specialisation offers students the option to conduct a research master in astronomy with a particular focus on advanced astronomical instrumentation, techniques and instrument development. It prepares students as much for a career in research as for a career outside academia. The two-year programme consists of two parts. First, students follow advanced courses in both instrumentation and general astronomy. Second, students carry out a minor and a major research project.

Programme (120 EC)

| | EC | Level |

Mandatory Courses

| Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments | 6 | 500 |

| Detection of Light a | 3 | 500 |

| Detection of Light b | 3 | 500 |

Elective Courses

| Astronomy Core Courses, at least | 6 | 500 |

| Instrumentation-related Astronomy Courses | 12-18 | 400-500 |

| Astronomy Courses of any type | 24-30 | 400-500 |

Research Projects

| First Research Project in Instrumental or General Astronomy | 30 | 500 |

| Master's Research Project in Instrumental Astronomical | 30 | 600 |

| Student Colloquium | - | 600 |

Up to 12 EC of the general and specialist Astronomy courses may be replaced by non-Astronomy courses from the Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science master's programmes. Among these 12 EC you may choose one of the two inter-faculty electives listed below.

Master Study Plan

At the start of the master’s programme, students are required to draw up the Master Study Plan: a complete list of planned courses and projects for two subsequent academic years in consultation with the Study Advisor Astronomy. To select courses, consult the course list for academic year 2024-2025 (see below). And here you can find the preliminary overview of all Astronomy master's courses on offer in 2025/2026.

Learn more

For more information on the specific requirements of this specialisation, see the appendix of the Course and Examination Regulations.

  • Courses 2024-2025
  • Course Levels
  • Career Orientation
Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Astronomy Master's Research Projects

Astronomy Student Colloquium -
First Project: Research 25
First Project: Thesis 5
Master Project: Research 25
Master Project: Thesis 5

Mandatory Instrumentation-related Astronomy Courses

Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments 6
Detection of Light a 3
Detection of Light b 3

Astronomy Core Courses

Origin and Evolution of the Universe 6
Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Formation 6
Stellar Structure and Evolution 6
Interstellar Medium 6
Star and Planet Formation 6

General Astronomy Courses

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN's) 3
Simulation and Modeling in Astrophysics (AMUSE) 6

Specialist Astronomy Courses

Astrochemistry 3
Astronomical Spectroscopy 3
Exo-planets A: Interiors and Atmospheres 3
Exo-planets B: Space Physics 3
Modern Astrostatistics 3
Numerical Recipes in Astrophysics a 6
Numerical Recipes in Astrophysics b 3
Observational Cosmology 3

Other Instrumentation-related Astronomy Courses

Radio Astronomy 6
Planetary Physics: Science and Instrumentation 3
Advanced Optics 6

Instrumentation-related Courses in Delft

The following courses offered by the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (AE) at Delft University of Technology may be included as instrumentation-related courses in the above programme:

See also: Enrolment as a minor student (guest student) at TU Delft

Inter-faculty Electives

Science Methodology (SCM) 4
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6

Additional Astronomy bachelor courses if required

Radiative Processes 6