I have enrolled!

I have finally enrolled on the Open University module SM123 Physics and Space. I have wanted to do this for a while now. The module was a bit pricey at £1818 but I think I will get a lot out of it. The Python content in particular is well worth doing.

Study Calendar for SM123 (24J)

BSc (Hons) Planetary Exploration with Astronomy and Astrobiology at Birkbeck

Birkbeck College offer this 4 year part time course by distance learning mode. It is adapted from their 3 year full time course. Full time first year modules are shown in blue, second year modules in red and third year modules in green. Each 'small' module is 15 CATS points, 'large' are 30 points. 90 points per year for the part time course, as shown below.

1	Earth as a Planet		Planetary Science and Exploration	Foundations of Astronomy	Planetary Materials
2	Geology of the Solar System		Introduction to Field Geology		Planetary Geophysics
3	Igneous Petrology	Introduction to Astrobiology	Planetary Interiors	Remote Sensing and Planetary Surfaces	Field Mapping OR Planetary Exploration	Preparation for Research Project
4	Comets, Asteroids and Meteorites	Frontiers in Astrobiology	Physical Principles of Astronomy	Volcanism in the Solar System	Research Project

Astronomy at UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire offer a CertHE/BSc(Hons) in Astronomy. Each module is 20 CATS points. Completing the three compulsory and three optional first year units will get you a CertHE. 

AA1051 Introduction to Astronomy	AA1054 Physics for Astronomy	AA1062 Mathematics for Astronomy	Three from: AA1053 Introduction to Cosmology AA1055 IT for Astronomy AA1057 Investigations in Astronomy AA1058 Sun, Earth and Climate AA1059 Introduction to Astrobiology
AA2051 The Milky Way	AA2052 Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way	AA2053 Ultraviolet, Optical and Infrared Astronomy	AA2054 Exploring the Solar System	AA2055 Solar Astrophysics	AA2056 Solar-Stellar Connection
AA3050 Astronomy Dissertation	AA3053 Cosmology and Relativity	AA3056 Extreme States of Matter	AA3057 Collaborative Investigation	AA3051 Origins	AA3055 Astronomical Computing

Masters of Physics (MPhys) comes to the OU

The Open University now offers a Masters of Physics (MPhys) degree. This is the standard start physics pathway. 

S111 Questions in Science		MST124 Essential Mathematics 1	SM123 Physics and Space OR MST125 Essential Mathematics 2
S217 Physics: From Classical to Quantum		MST224 Mathematical Methods	SXPS288 Remote Experiments in Physics and Space
SM380 Quantum Physics	SM381 Electromagnetism	Level 3 Option 1	Level 3 Option 2
SM880 Quantum and Statistical Mechanics of Matter	Level 4 Option	S841 Masters Level Project in Physical Sciences

Level 3 Option
S384 Astrophysics of Stars and Exoplanets
S385 Cosmology and the Distant Universe
MS327 Deterministic and Stochastic Dynamics
MST326 Mathematics Methods and Fluid Mechanics
MST374 Computational Applied Mathematics

Level 4 Option
M820 Calculus of Variations and advanced calculus
M821 Nonlinear ordinary differential equations

There is also a Space Science Astrophysics pathway. This can also have an 'advanced start'.

Astronomy module	Astronomy OR Maths module	MST124 Essential Mathematics 1	SM123 Physics and Space
S217 Physics: From Classical to Quantum		MST224 Mathematical Methods	SXPS288 Remote Experiments in Physics and Space
SM380 Quantum Physics	SM381 Electromagnetism	S384 Astrophysics of Stars and Exoplanets	S385 Cosmology and the Distant Universe
S818 Space Science		S841 Masters Level Project in Physical Sciences

Astronomy module
S283 Planetary Science and the Search for Life
S284 Astronomy

Maths module

MST125 Essential Mathematics 2 

M140 Introducing Statistics 

R51 BSc(Hons) Physics at the Open University

The Open University now offer a named physics degree, and here it is below. 

S111 Questions in Science		MST124 Essential Mathematics 1	SM123 Physics and Space OR MST125 Essential Mathematics 2
S217 Physics: From Classical to Quantum		MST224 Mathematical Methods	SXPS288 Remote Experiments in Physics and Space
SM381 Electromagnetism	SM380 Quantum Physics	Level 3 Option	SXP390 Science Project Course: Radiation and Matter

Level 3 Option

S384 Astrophysics of Stars and Exoplanets

S385 Cosmology and the Distant Universe

MS327 Deterministic and Stochastic Dynamics

MST326 Mathematical Methods and Fluid Mechanics

MST374 Computational Applied Mathematics

In addition, there is a basic maths start programme available which avoids S111.

SM123 Physics and Space	MU123 Discovering Mathematics	MST124 Essential Mathematics 1	MST125 Essential Mathematics 2
S217 Physics: From Classical to Quantum		MST224 Mathematical Methods	SXPS288 Remote Experiments in Physics and Space
SM381 Electromagnetism	SM380 Quantum Physics	Level 3 Option	SXP390 Science Project Course: Radiation and Matter

My studies may be continuing ... or may not.

After taking a break for a few years, I might return to study, if I can afford it. I might kick off with SM123 Physics and Space, which starts in October 2024. One of the best things about the course is the Python coding. It is also one of the worst things about the course. Lots of people drop out because they find the the coding part horrendous. The pass rate for last year (22J) was 61% and the year before (21J) was 65.4%. Much worse than for other Level 1 science courses, apparently. Registration opens on 20th March, so I'll make a decision shortly after that date.