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 Physics. If this is not the case, you will need to contact the Astronomy study advisor who decides on the basis of the number of obtained ECs whether authorization for participation can be given.
Please note that students following the double bachelor's programme in Astronomy and Physics need to succesfully complete the Research Skills and Introduction Bachelor Project course before starting their Bachelor Research Project.
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.
As a student in the double bachelor's programme in Astronomy and Physics, you may choose a project from either Astronomy or Physics. Astronomy projects that involve laboratory or instrumentation work are appropriate. Astronomy projects with a focus on data analysis should address data collection, calibration and reduction and should demonstrate a technical understanding of the involved instrumentation. Even if you did not collect the data for your project yourself,you should clearly explain how this was done. All Astronomy projects need to have a second supervisor from Physics who is ultimately responsible for approving the project (or a modified version thereof). As a student, you are responsible for finding this second supervisor from the Physics department.
You will start your BRP after succesful completion of the Research Skills and Introduction Bachelor Project. You will join your research group and 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 June 28th you will 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 the Astronomy BRP coordinator's teaching website
See the Timelines tab on the Astronomy Bachelor Research Project website
Mode of instruction
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
Bachelor Project: Research (20 EC) will be assessed by your direct supervisor
Bachelor Project: Thesis (3 EC) will be evaluated by your direct supervisor and a second assessor
Bachelor Project: Presentation (1 EC) will be evaluated by your direct supervisor and a second assessor
See also the Grading tab on the Astronomy Bachelor Research Project website.
Blackboard
Blackboard is not used for this course.
Reading list
Not applicable. Relevant information is provided by e-mail by the BRP coordinator. Literature on your research topic will be provided by your direct supervisor.
Registration
- Register for the course via uSis. More information about signing up for your classes can be found here
- Register your project as described in the procedure on the Bachelor Research Project website.
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 information
Lecturer: Prof.dr. Harold Linnartz
Assistants: Dieuwertje van der Vlugt, Frits Sweijen
Course website: BRP coordinator's teaching website
Procedures and forms: Astronomy Bachelor Research Project
Remarks
None