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Sterrekundig Instituut Utrecht[www.astro.uu.nl]

Christoph U. KellerDirector

Chair of Experimental Astrophysics

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Golden Age of Astronomy

Big problems: Dark Matter Dark Energy Life in the Universe

Big Telescopes: Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra, XMM-Newton Fermi, Herschel, Planck, Solar Dynamics Observatory Very Large Telescope LOFAR

Big Future European Extremely Large Telescope James Web Space Telescope Advanced Technology Solar Telescope Square Kilometer Array

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Sterrekundig Instituut Utrecht

BSc in Physics and Astronomy MSc in Astrophysics and Space Research

Astrophysics of stars, stellar systems and their environments

Theory, numerical simulations, observations, data analysis, instruments

High-Energy and Exoplanets with SRON Optical/IR Instrumentation Cross-disciplinary research with physics

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Bachelor’s Education

Common BSc in Physics and Astronomy

Year 1: Het fascinerend heelal

Year 2: Ontstaan en evolutie van het heelal, Inleiding bouw en ontwikkeling van sterren

Year 3: Planets and Exoplanets, Astrofysische Gasdynamica, Observationele Astrofysica 1, Numerieke Methoden voor Sterrenkundigen

3-month research thesis

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Master’s Education

MSc in Astrophysics and Space Research Core courses:

Galaxies Stellar Evolution Stellar Atmospheres Theoretical Astrophysics Astronomical Data Analysis

Optional courses: General Relativity in Astrophysics, Nucleosynthesis, Binary Stars, Solar Physics, Large Scale Structures in the Universe, High-Energy Astrophysics, Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments, Project Management for Scientists

Research thesis work for one year

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Outlook

Job prospects: About 8 MSc students per year

About 6 PhD positions per year

More than 80% of UU PhD students are still working in astronomy and related field

Increase permanent staff from 8 to 11

Enhance space research

Move to new, joint building with SRON

Host national optical/infrared engineering group