Astronomy, possibly the oldest of sciences, is to become the subject of the newest of degrees in NUI Galway. Stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies often fascinate teenagers grappling with questions such as how the universe began, where life comes from and whether it is unique to our planet. Parents worried about their starry-eyed offspring opting for this new course and then finding themselves highly educated but jobless may be reassured by Professor Michael Redfern of NUI Galway.
About 75 per cent of universities in Britain and Northern Ireland introduce physics by means of astronomy. He quotes the Astronomer Royal for Scotland on his astronomy graduates: "they find jobs as easily, if not more easily, than other technical graduates. In fact, some of them even find jobs in astronomy." It is expected that graduates of this new course will be qualified for careers in astronomy (which usually requires a postgraduate qualification), physics research, industry, teaching, computing, meteorology and financial services.
The new course in NUIG, a four-year honours BSc in physics and astronomy, begins next autumn. It will provide an education in astronomy, physics, computing and maths with astronomy being a core subject every year. In first year the course covers the fundamentals of astronomy and solar system planetary physics, physics, maths and computing (programming and data analysis).
In second year, students will study the techniques of astronomical observations, including practical work, astrophysics, the historical development of our view of the universe (in association with the philosophy department), computing, physics and mathematical physics.
Third and fourth years will address stellar physics, electronic and optical instrumentation, quantum physics, signal processing, cosmology and general relativity, interstellar and quantum physics, astronomical data processing and mathematical physics.
The college already offers experimental and applied physics degrees. An observatory is being built in the college to house several optical telescopes and, possibly, a radio telescope. Light pollution will limit observations, says Redfern, but that must be balanced against convenience. "We also hope to co-operate with a British university to use their fully robotic telescope remotely. And we will certainly expect to download data from websites. If you look at big facilities, like Hubble, the data becomes public within a few weeks."
Astronomy is not new to Galway - a group in the physics department works on research projects in collaboration with the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. "We are interested in looking at the physics of optical pulsars (pulsating stars). We have detected about half of all optical puslars," says Redfern.
The one he is proudest of is Geminga, which translates from Milanese dialect to "it is not there". It emits both X and gamma rays but no radio waves. "We are the only people who have succeeded in detecting the optical pulsations. The amount of light is equivalent to observing a candle from the distance of the moon. Obviously, you need a very big telescope," says Redfern. The group has used facilities in place as far-flung as La Palma in the Canary Islands and La Silla in Chile.
Back to matters terrestrial: the course was introduced too late to be included in the CAO system so applications should be made directly to the college. Applicants need a minimum of a higher-level C or an ordinary-level A in Leaving Cert maths. There will be some 20 to 25 first-year places and these will be allocated on the basis of Leaving Cert points.
An information brochure can be requested from the Secretary, Physics Departments, NUI Galway, tel (091) 524 411. You can also visit the website at www.physics.nuigalway.ie
