The astrophysics curriculum is embedded in the physics and astronomy program of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Radboud University Nijmegen. We offer both a Bachelor program in astrophysics, as well as a Master program. Here we describe the astrophysics courses. For an overview of the full program please have a look at the Bachelor program or the Master program.

For master students in the 'Astrophysics' track, please download and read the following document carefully. It will facilitate your master's study and will allow us to provide you better supervision and education.

• Guidelines for Astrophysics Master students

LOCNOC web page

(please note that all Bachelor courses are taught in Dutch, unless otherwise noted)

• Kaleidoscoop Sterrenkunde (Caleidoscope Astronomy)
  • An introductory course which gives an overview of modern-day astronomy and astrophysics. The Solar System, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies and the Universe at large are introduced and specific examples are given as illustrations of the use of physics to understand the Universe.
  • Prof.dr. Heino Falcke, Prof.dr. Jan Kuijpers
  • Prospectus

• Observational Astronomy (Observationele Sterrenkunde)
  • The students will be introduced in observational astronomy, data analysis, data reduction and the use of CCD camera in optical astronomy. Training is given in the use and operation of the Department's optical telescopes. A special project can be done using the telescopes, where students can use the telescopes themselves, at night. The course is concluded with a practical assignment.
  • Prof.dr. Paul Groot, Dr. Jörg Hörandel
  • Prospectus

• Newtonian Cosmology (Newtoniaanse Kosmologie)
  • The origin and evolution of the Universe is one of the most fascinating subjects in (astro)physics. This course gives and overview of the evolution of the Universe in a classical setting (not using general relativity). The first expansion phases, the microwave background, structure formation and the large scale structure of the Universe are explained.
  • Dr. Jörg Hörandel
  • Prospectus

• Planets and Exoplanets (Planeten en Exoplaneten)
  • The Solar System offers a unique perspective of the close environment of the Earth. Space exploration and improved observations from Earth have revealed fascinating worlds, moons and icy dwarf planets in the outer reaches of our Solar System. These new observations have revolutionized our view of the Solar System and has given information on the structure and formation of our Solar System. Since the discovery of the first extrasolar planet in 1995 a rapidly increasing number of exoplanets has been discovered. These new observations have revealed planetary systems very different from our own Solar System. Explaining these systems as well as our own Solar System has given a very strong impetus into the research on planet formation and planetary system formation.
  • Prof.dr. Carsten Dominik
  • Prospectus

• Stellar Structure and Evolution (Sterevolutie)
  • Stars form the basic building blocks of our Universe, and a thorough understanding of stars and their evolution is a crucial ingredient of astrophysics. The equations of stellar structure form some of the most elegant derivations in (astro)physics, based on a minimum of assumptions and just a small number of conservation laws. With these equations of stellar structure, the evolution of stars can be derived and the observational Hertzsprung Russell Diagram can be explained.
  • Dr. Gijs Nelemans
  • Prospectus

• Radiosterrenkunde (Radio Astronomy)
  • Radio astronomy is traditionally strong in the Netherlands, where some of the first astronomical use of radio techniques were made in pioneering studies in the 1950's. After the Dwingeloo telescope and the Westerbork Radio Synthesis Telescope - world class facilities for many decades - a new era is entered with the construction of the innovative low-frequency array LOFAR. In the course an overview is given of radio astronomy, including in particular the technique of interferometry and Fourier transforms, combined with practical assignments using the Radboud radio interferometer on the roof. Also, the ways in which radio astronomy contributes to our understanding of the Universe is discussed.
  • Dr. Marijke Haverkorn
  • Prospectus

• Galaxies (Sterrenstelsels)
  • Stars, gas, Dark Matter and supermassive Black Holes are assembled into galaxies, which can be traced far back into the history of our Universe. Containing from millions to hundreds of billions of stars galaxies form the 'cities' of our universe, and offer a challenge: to understand their formation, evolution, shapes and content in a highly complex, and interacting environment.
  • Dr. Elmar Körding
  • Prospectus

• Space Astronomy (Astronomie in de ruimte)
  • This course goes on where the first year course Observational Astronomy stopped. Usage is made of internet access to space and ground-based observations to introduce modern astrophysical observations over the complete electromagnetic spectrum (γ-rays to radio) and beyond (astroparticle physics). Particular emphasis is put on broad-band observations of particular objects.
  • Dr. Peter Jonker
  • Prospectus

• Radiative Processes (Stralingsprocessen)
  • A thorough understanding of the way electro-magnetic radiation is produced in astrophysical objects is crucial for our understanding of these objects. A number of standard radiation processes are discussed and the environments in which these processes occur. Black-body radiation,synchrotron radiation, (inverse-)Compton processes are among the topics discussed.
  • Prof.dr. Heino Falcke
  • Prospectus

• Interstellar Medium (Interstellair Medium)
  • The interstellar medium is a crucial part of the cycle of star formation: stars form from interstellar gas clouds, and at the end of their lives, shed part of their material back into the medium. This course discusses the physical processes in the interstellar medium and their influence on the formation of stars. It gives an overview of various observational and numerical methods to study the interstellar medium. The course will focus on the Milky Way, but briefly discuss other (nearby) galaxies.
  • Dr. Marijke Haverkorn
  • Prospectus

• Introduction to General Relativity (Inleiding Algemene Relativiteit)
  • Dr. Elmar Körding
  • Prospectus

• Chemical Evolution of the Universe (Chemische Evolutie van het heelal)
  • In this course we discuss the astrophysics of the origin of the elements. Light elements are generated shortly after the Big Bang, intermediate-mass elements during stellar burning, and heavy elements during processes in the final states of the evolution of stars. Furthermore, the chemical composition of stars, the interstellar medium, and cosmic rays are discussed.
  • Dr. Jörg Hörandel
  • Prospectus

The Astrophysics Master consists of a number of courses that are compulsory for all (astro)physics students and a number of courses that specific to the astrophysics master. The latter are described here. Please note that all course are taught in English, unless no non-Dutch speaking student is present. All courses are taught on a two-year cycle. In 2011/2012, Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology will be taught. For 2012/2013, Black Holes, and Compact Binaries are scheduled.

• Cosmology
  • The last decades have seen a tremendous change in our view of the Universe at its largest scale. This course will give an overview of these changes, concerning the concepts of dark matter, dark energy, the cosmic microwave background, cosmic baryogenesis, gravitational lensing and gravitational waves. An overview will also be given of current and future telescopes and facilities.
  • Prof.dr. Paul Groot/Dr. Gijs Nelemans
  • Prospectus

• Astroparticle Physics
  • The Earth is continuously bombarded by particles with energies tremendous energies, up to 10²⁰ eV, more than a million times the energy available at the LHC at CERN. Our knowledge of the physics at these energies as well as of the sources of these ultra-high energy cosmic rays is very limited. They form a challenge both for high energy physics as well as for astrophysics. No mechanism is known that can accelerate these particle to these energies.
  • Dr. Jörg Hörandel
  • Prospectus

• Black Holes in Active Galactic Nuclei
  • The central parts of almost all galaxies harbor supermassive black holes. In our own Galaxy a black hole of more than 2 million Solar Masses is present. Although 'our' supermassive black hole is at present dormant, this is not the case in many other galaxies. In Active Galactic Nuclei matter is accreted onto the central black hole. This is often accompanied by jets, in which matter is ejected from the close neighbourhood of the supermassive black hole.
  • Dr. Elmar Körding
  • Prospectus

• Physics and evolution of Compact Binaries
  • Almost all high-energy phenomena in the local Universe orginate in compact binaries: binary systems containing at least one compact object, i.e. a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole. In the course the structure and physics of compact objects will be combined with the physics and evolution of binaries. Attention will be given to both the theory of compact binaries as well as the observations and recent progress in the field.
  • Prof.dr. Paul Groot/Dr. Gijs Nelemans
  • Prospectus

• Astrophysics Seminar
  • During the two years of the Master, the students are required to follow the Astrophysics Seminar: every week either a colloquium by a speaker from outside the department, or a student seminar by one of the master students, will be given. Each student will give a seminar once per year. As a topic for the student seminar, the students will select a refereed publication either from a list provided, or one of their own choice.
  • Coordination: Dr. Gijs Nelemans
  • Prospectus

• Interacademy Course Astrophysics
  • Each year a Masters course in astrophysics is taught at a national level. The topic changes each year and the course is taught by staff members from one or more universities. The course is given in Utrecht.
  • For the Interacademy Course in 2011, see here.

• Telescope Observing
  • Each student will accompany a staff member to a professional observatory for an observing run. The student will prepare the observations, execute them, reduce the data and write an observing report. This course is open only to the Astrophysics Masters students.
  • Coordination: Prof.dr. Paul Groot
  • Prospectus