Prospectus

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Astronomy and Mathematics (double bachelor)

The combined Astronomy & Mathematics education programme takes three years and comprises courses from the Astronomy and Mathematics bachelor's programmes (253 EC in total). The first year (86 EC) is concluded with two separate propedeutic diplomas: one for Astronomy and one for Mathematics. This is followed by the second year (90 EC) and third year (77 EC). The combined Astronomy & Mathematics programme results in two Bachelor of Science (BSc) diplomas: BSc Astronomy and BSc Mathematics. Please find the course descriptions for years 1, 2 and 3 and the Astronomy electives on the tabs below.

Information on study and career orientation can be found on the tab Career orientation.

In addition to this combined programme, there are three other options for the Astronomy bachelor's:

More information

Astronomy bachelor student's website

Astronomy study advisor

Mathematics bachelor student's website

Mathematics study advisor

First year

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester 1

Analyse 1 6
Caleidoscoop 6
Introduction to Astrophysics 4
Introductie Moderne Natuurkunde 6
Lineaire Algebra 1 6
Programmeermethoden 6
Wiskundige structuren 6

Semester 2

Algebra 1 6
Analyse 2 6
Electric and Magnetic Fields 5
Klassieke Mechanica a 5
Inleiding Kansrekening 6
Planetary Systems 3
Praktische Sterrenkunde 6

Semester 1 & 2

Experimentele Natuurkunde deel I 3
Optica 5
Presenteren en Communiceren 1

Totaal: 86EC

Second year

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester 1

Classical Mechanics b 3
Inleiding Mathematische Statistiek 6
Lineaire algebra 2 6
Stars 5
Statistical Physics 1 6
Quantum Mechanics 1 6
Topologie 6

Semester 2

Astronomical Observing Techniques 5
Classical Electrodynamics 4
Complex analysis 6
Galaxies and Cosmology 5
Gewone Differentiaalvergelijkingen 6
Introduction to measure theory 3
Modern Astronomical and Physics Research 1
Modern Astronomical Research 1
Statistics and Data Analysis 2
Quantum Mechanics 2 5

Semester 1 & 2

Astronomy Lab and Observing Project 5
Seminarium presenteren en communiceren 3

Third year

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Bachelor Research Project (S+W) 24
Radiative Processes 6
Research Skills and Scientific Integrity (2EC) 2

Electives Astronomy (15 EC)

See tab Electives

Mathematics Electives (30 EC)

Total: 77 EC

Electives (15 EC)

In consultation with the study advisor, you choose electives for the first semester of the third year, consisting of 15 EC of electives from the list below.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester 1

Astrobiology 3
Astronomical Relativity 6
Astro-Particle Physics 6
Building Blocks of Quantum Matter 6
Computer Graphics 6
Orientatie op onderwijs 6
Seminar Series on Cutting Edge Astrophysics (S2CEA) 3
Statistical Physics 2 6

Semester 2

Algorithms and Data Structures 6
Algoritmiek 6
Combinatoriek & Optimalisering 6
Databases 6
Introduction to Solid State Physics 3
Keerpunten in de Geschiedenis van de Natuurwetenschappen 6
Machine Learning 6
Mathematical Methods of Physics 6
Numerieke Wiskunde 6
Relativistic Electrodynamics 3

Career orientation

Career orientation
During the combined Astronomy and Mathematics bachelor’s education programme, we support you in making choices that are relevant to your future career. You will be stimulated to think about your ambitions and potential and to reflect on how to reach your goals. By actively exploring the possibilities, you enable yourself to make motivated study and career choices.

We organise various activities to help you think about questions like:

  • What are my strong skills and what skills can I still learn?

  • In which subjects do I want to specialise?

  • What subject will I choose for my Bachelor Research Project?

  • Which electives fit my future ambitions?

  • What do I want to learn next to my studies?

  • Which master's programme will I choose after my Astronomy bachelor's and why?

  • Which type of job would I like to do in the future?

Events Click here for the Astronomy career event calendar. This calendar contains an up-to-date overview of all career events relevant to Astronomy bachelor’s students. Please not that this calendar does not contain Mathematics events.

First year

  • Study career sessions

  • Lectures from alumni

  • Company visits, dinners and lectures

  • Intake with Astronomy Study Advisor

  • Information sessions with student counsellor

  • Mentors and tutors

  • Introduction Science Career Service

  • Workshop Study skills

  • Workshop Timemanagement

Second year

Third year

LU Career Zone
The Leiden University Career Zone is a website that offers support to Leiden University students and alumni, both during their studies and career. It offers advice, information and tools, including professional tests to draft your personal profile and job aplication tips.

Soft skills
In the Astronomy course descriptions in this e-Prospectus, behaviour-oriented skills are listed for each course. Although these soft skills cannot be measured like course objectives, being aware of the skills you acquire is important. They determine how you approach your work and your life and are therefore highly relevant to shaping your study path and future career.

Contact
Questions about your study and/or career path? Make an appointment with the Astronomy Study Advisor.

Course levels

  • Level 100
    Introductory course, builds upon the level of the final pre-university education examination.
    Characteristics: teaching based on material in textbook or syllabus, pedagogically structured, with
    practice material and mock examinations; supervised workgroups; emphasis on study material and
    examples in lectures.

  • Level 200
    Course of an introductory nature, no specific prior knowledge but experience of independent
    study expected.
    Characteristics: textbooks or other study material of a more or less introductory nature; lectures, e.g. in
    the form of capita selecta; independent study of the material is expected.

  • Level 300
    Advanced course (entry requirement level 100 or 200).
    Characteristics: textbooks that have not necessarily been written for educational purposes; independent
    study of the examination material; in examinations independent application of the study material to
    new problems.

  • Level 400
    Specialised course (entry requirement level 200 or 300).
    Characteristics: alongside a textbook, use of specialist literature (scientific articles); assessment in the
    form of limited research, a lecture or a written paper. Courses at this level can, to a certain extent, also
    be on the master’s curriculum.

  • Level 500 Course with an academic focus (entry requirement: the student has been admitted to a
    master’s programme; preparatory course at level 300 or 400 has been followed).
    Characteristics: study of advanced specialised scientific literature intended for researchers; focus of the
    examination is solving a problem in a lecture and/or paper or own research, following independent
    critical assessment of the material.

  • Level 600
    Very specialised course (entry requirement level 400 or 500)
    Characteristics: current scientific articles; latest scientific developments; independent contribution (dissertation research) dealing with an as yet unsolved problem, with verbal presentation.

The classification is based on the Framework Document Leiden Register of Study Programmes.