Bluffer's Guide

Bluffer’s Guide Introduction for MSc Students

Astronomy at Leiden Observatory

July 2018 Contents

1 First and foremost ...... 3 1.1 Preface 3 1.2 Who do you need to talk to when you need ... 3

2 Leiden Observatory ...... 5 2.1 Research Institute 5 2.2 Astronomy Education Programme 5 2.2.1 Committees ...... 6

3 The MSc programme Astronomy ...... 7 3.1 Admission to the MSc programme 7 3.2 Nature of the programme 7 3.3 Specialisations 8 3.3.1 Research-orientated specialisations ...... 8 3.3.2 Other specialisations ...... 8 3.4 The Study Plan 9 3.5 Information current MSc programme 9 3.5.1 Job market preparation ...... 10 3.6 Staff, students and who-is-who 10 3.7 Study Association De Leidsche Flesch 10 3.8 Going Dutch: Getting used to the culture of the Netherlands 11 3

3.9 Location of the Observatory 11

4 What does the ﬁrst week look like? ...... 12 4.1 Leiden University Orientation Week 12 4.2 Meetings and to do 12

5 Study Plan templates ...... 14 5.1 Study Plan and templates 14 1. First and foremost ...

1.1 Preface This guide is intended as a ﬁrst introduction to Leiden Observatory for incoming MSc students. It is aimed at pointing out important practical matters concerning the MSc programme at Leiden Observatory. It only covers Astronomy-specific issues, and excludes all topics that are general to Leiden University as a whole. Where possible, this document refers to information at the Leiden student information website which should be your first stop for all information searches and contains the most accurate and up-to-date information.

1.2 Who do you need to talk to when you need ...... practical study-related information? Programme/studycoordinator Arianne Pen [email protected] Room Oort 564

... information concerning contents of your study programme? Study Advisor Wouter Schrier [email protected] Room Oort 567

... computer account/access? David Jansen [email protected] Room HL 409c 1.2 Who do you need to talk to when you need ... 5

... mailbox/pigeonhole, keys or office supplies? Education Office Astronomy [email protected] Room Oort 564

... general information on being a Leiden University student? http://organisation.leiden.edu/student-education-affairs/

... what to do before and after arrival? https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/exchange-study-abroad-students/pre-departure-and-arrival

... info on being an expat in Leiden? https://www.studyinholland.nl/after-your-studies https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education http://www.expatica.com/

... an overview of all above? https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/astronomy/organisation/education-office-folder 2. Leiden Observatory

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/astronomy

Leiden Observatory is actually composed of two overlapping entities, an Opleiding or School, which is the regular university structure responsible for the bachelor’s and master’s education programmes, and an Onderzoeksinstituut or Research Institute. There is complete overlap between the staff of both entities. Both are part of the Faculteit Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen or FWN, i.e. the Faculty of Science, which in turn is one of the seven Faculties of Universiteit Leiden, i.e. Leiden University.

2.1 Research Institute https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/astronomy/about-us

The name of the Research Institute is Sterrewacht Leiden or Leiden Observatory. Note that Ster- rewacht is spelled in traditional manner with a capital ‘S’ and without the ‘n’ of sterrenwacht, the generic Dutch word for an astronomical observatory in the currently mandatory spelling. The Research Institute was devised several decades ago in order to create a more ﬂexible and less bureaucratic structure for carrying out research. One effect of the creation of this structure was the appointment of a Wetenschappelijk Directeur (Scientiﬁc Director) heading the Research Institute.

2.2 Astronomy Education Programme https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/study--studying/study/new-student/ welcome-to-leiden/science/astronomy-msc?cd=astronomy-msc&cf=science#tab-3

The Astronomy Education Programme is headed by an Opleidingsdirecteur (Director of Education), who is responsible for the astronomy teaching programme. He is supported by the Programme Coordinator who deals with all practical matters. There is one Study Advisor, who is responsible 2.2 Astronomy Education Programme 7

for day-to-day guidance of the students of both the Astronomy bachelor’s and master’s education programmes.

2.2.1 Committees https://www.organisatiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/en/faculties-and-institutes/science/committees

• Education Committee: The Director of Education is advised by the Opleidingscommissie (Ed- ucation Committee, a committee required by Dutch law) consisting of students and teaching staff. Since much of the curriculum, especially in the bachelor phase, involves physics courses, the Director of Education, the bachelor Study Advisor, students and teachers also regularly confer with their counterparts from the Physics Division in the Joint Teaching Committee Physics and Astronomy.

• Board of Examiners: Another committee required by Dutch law is the Examencommissie (Board of Examiners). The Board of Examiners does not report to the Director of Education but is an independent body within the observatory. Among its duties are monitoring the quality of examinations, and the awarding of degrees. Furthermore, this committee decides if changes in your study plan will be approved/rejected.

• Board of Admissions: The Toelatingscommissie (the Board of Admissions) provides advice in deciding if candidates for the Astronomy bachelor’s and master’s education programmes have had sufficient training. In case of any deficiencies, the Board of Admissions may propose a study programma to compensate the deficiencies. Members of the Board of Admissions are appointed by the Faculty Board or the Dean.

• Public Relations Committee: The Astronomy Public Relations Committee is joined with the Physics department and is concerned with awareness and recruitment for both education programmes. This includes creating promotion materials and organising recruitment events (Open Days, Experience Days, Taster Days) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science. 3. The MSc programme Astronomy

3.1 Admission to the MSc programme Admission to the Astronomy MSc programme at Leiden Observatory is governed by the programme’s Board of Admissions. This Board evaluates your previous academic achievements, taking into account grades, quality and contents of your BSc (or other previous) degree. The Board of Admissions may admit you without further remarks, but may also recommend that you compensate certain deﬁciencies. Such recommendations usually involve doing a particular course from the Astronomy BSc programme, in the form of self-study. These recommendations are also transmitted to the Study Advisor and should be taken seriously, since the MSc programme assumes that you have mastered this material. The entry requirements can be found on this webpage.

3.2 Nature of the programme In comparison to some other Astronomy programmes, in particular the ones taught outside The Netherlands, it is very important to realise that the Astronomy MSc programme in Leiden assumes and requires a great deal of the student’s self-reliance. This cannot be overemphasized!

This implies both an opportunity and a responsibility on the part of the student. It is an opportunity for you to tailor the programme to your speciﬁc interests, preferences and abilities. However, it also means that you need to take the initiative to do so, and that you need to exercise judgement to gauge whether a particular programme or course is suitable or not. This is where the Study Advisor can help, and you should always seek his or her advice on matters related to your study programme.

The Leiden master’s programme in Astronomy focuses on knowledge and understanding of: • the origin, structure and evolution of galaxies, including processes within the nuclei of the galaxies and the universe of which they are a part; • stars, including the interstellar medium, circumstellar gas and dust, and planetary systems. 3.3 Specialisations 9

These objectives are reached through courses and research projects which offer you knowledge and insight, and ways in which various topics are interrelated. The research projects allow you to focus on aspects of current research by our staff members.

The master’s programme will teach you to analyse and evaluate scientiﬁc information independently and critically, and to conduct academically sound research. Specialisation in certain ﬁelds is possible by conducting your major research project in either theory, observation or instrumentation, or some combination of these. Naturally, your choice of courses will also depend on the specialisation you prefer.

3.3 Specialisations The Astronomy programme offers seven specialisations, each comprising two years (120 EC): four research-oriented specialisations, and three combined specialisations. More extensive information about the different specialisations can be found on: http://www.mastersinleiden.nl/ programmes/astronomy/nl/introduction. Below we give a brief summary.

3.3.1 Research-orientated specialisations The four research-oriented specialisations focus on major research themes including evolution of the universe, formation and evolution of galaxies, birth and death of stars, formation and occurrence of planets near other stars, and astronomical instrumentation. They allow the student to choose from either a broad research proﬁle (“Research in Astronomy” specialisation), or a proﬁle that is more focused in a particular direction. The specialisations offered (and described in detail below) are:

• Astronomy Research This specialisation provides the broadest possible training in astronomical research. • Astronomy and Data Science This specialisations prepares students as much for a career in Astronomy as in Computer Science, both within or outside academia. • Astronomy and Cosmology This specialisation provides a research training with a particular focus on modern observational and theoretical cosmology. • Astronomy and Instrumentation This specialisation provides a research training with a particular focus on astronomical instrumentation and instrument development

3.3.2 Other specialisations In addition to the research-oriented specialisations, three other specialisations are offered, which combine the main elements of the Astronomy research curriculum with topics in Science Based Business (SBB), Science Communication and Society (SCS), and Education.

• Astronomy and Business Studies This specialisation offers the opportunity to combine the research curriculum in Astronomy with training in management, business and entrepreneurship. 3.4 The Study Plan 10

• Astronomy and Science Communication and Society This specialisation combines a one-year education in astronomical research with one-year training in science popularisation and public outreach. • Astronomy and Education (Dutch only) This specialisation combines a one-year research education in Astronomy (taught in English) with one-year training in teaching (taught in Dutch) for becoming a qualiﬁed Physics teacher at Dutch secondary schools.

3.4 The Study Plan The ﬁrst two things to do upon arriving in Leiden are:

• Meet the Programme Coordinator, who will help you out with all sorts of practical issues; • Make an appointment with the Study Advisor to draft/discuss your Study Plan.

The Study Plan is the backbone of your MSc programme. It consists of a fully speciﬁed plan for your 2-yr MSc programme, including all courses and research projects. All options and boundary conditions for putting together a Study Plan are listed on the website of the Astronomy MSc programme (in the OER appendix and study guide). Since this is an extremely important step, it is of vital importance to study all options closely. Take ample time for doing this. When you have put together a Study Plan that you are satisﬁed with, you should discuss it with the Study Advisor. Note that a Study Plan can only be accepted if approved by the Study Advisor.

Once accepted, the Study Plan is entered in an electronic database, and progress will be regularly monitored by the Study Advisor. Note that altering the Study Plan is possible at every stage, but that each adjustment needs to be approved by the Study Advisor.

In Chapter 5 of this document you can ﬁnd templates in order to make your study plan.

All information on the programme is available in the study guide. Please take your time to study this website thoroughly.

The ofﬁcial document describing the boundary conditions for a valid MSc programme is the Onderwijs- en Examen Regeling, often abbreviated as: OER (Course and Exam Regulations). The OER can be downloaded from the Faculty website. Generally, a Study Plan will have to be consistent with the conditions described in the OER. While it is possible in individual cases to deviate from this set of rules and regulations, doing so will always require discussing it with the Study Advisor and explicit approval by the Board of Examiners.

3.5 Information current MSc programme Here you will find all the information about the programme, courses, schedules, student research projects, career prospects, and the exam dates and procedures. 3.6 Staff, students and who-is-who 11

3.5.1 Job market preparation To assist you in your preparation for the job market we present you with several resources:

• For all courses in the e-Prospectus a summary of all career-relevant soft skills is presented. • The Career Information Meeting Astronomy is organised twice a year, the dates can be found in the schedules. This event is aimed speciﬁcally at Astronomy students. You will receive further information about the programme closer to the actual dates. • The annual Science Career Event; whether you are actively looking to meet interesting companies, or even if you have no idea what you career will look like yet, the Science Career Event gives you a chance to speak with a large number of companies. During this event you can get your resume checked, participate in a workshop or speed date with a company to discuss possibilities in the near future. • If you want to get in contact with Leiden graduates you can look into the Leiden University Mentor Network • For additional support in career planning you can contact the Science Career Service.

3.6 Staff, students and who-is-who At Leiden Observatory, we have the following categories of scientiﬁc staff:

• Tenured Faculty: Universitaire Docenten, Universitaire Hoofddocenten and Hoogleraren correspond to Assistant, Associate and Full Professors. All are involved in teaching. • Postdoctoral Fellows (Postdocs): are part of the Tijdelijke Wetenschappelijke Staf (Temporary Scientific Staff) and are in Leiden usually for one to three years; most of them take this position directly after obtaining a Ph.D. degree. They are generally supported by funds external to the University. They don’t have a significant role in the teaching programme, but may take part in the daily supervision of research projects. • Promovendi (Ph. D. Candidates): Although equivalent to (post)graduate students elsewhere, they are traditionally not considered to be “students” but rather as junior staff members. Ph.D candidates are also part of the Tijdelijke Wetenschappelijke Staf (Temporary Scientific Staff). As part of their duties, they assist the Tenured Faculty as Teaching Assistants (TAs).

Who are all these people? An index is given on the Sterrewacht Website, and there is also a rogues’ gallery on the wall next to the staircase on the fourth ﬂoor of the J.H. Oort building. Please check: https://local.strw.leidenuniv.nl/people/.

3.7 Study Association De Leidsche Flesch De Leidsche Flesch is the study association for students studying physics, astronomy, mathematics or computer science in Leiden. Book sales, excursions, study trips, (lunch)lectures, sport activities, symposia and informal get-togethers are only a few of the activities organised by De Leidsche Flesch. Moreover, exams from previous years are available for download from their website. If you want more information or if you want to sign up as a member, you can visit their website: https: //www.deleidscheflesch.nl/en/p/en. Membership, which only costs e5, is recommended. A free barbecue with fellow MSc-students is even included in the cost. 3.8 Going Dutch: Getting used to the culture of the Netherlands 12

3.8 Going Dutch: Getting used to the culture of the Netherlands Learning about Dutch culture and society helps you to get to know the country and its people. For Dutch study related things you can check out: https://www.studyinholland.nl/.

Although you can speak English with practically anyone in the Netherlands, learning Dutch helps you in everyday activities, such as grocery shopping, going to a restaurant or following the news a little easier and more fun. It will also help you to connect with Dutch students and make new, Dutch friends! Start learning Dutch now with the app: Hoi Holland.

For more information about the Dutch culture and society in general, such as trafﬁc, greetings, eating and drinking, social behavior, etc. you can take a look on the Wiki.

To introduce you to the Dutch culture and especially helping you settle in your new city, you should join Leiden University’s Orientation Week, see paragraph: “4.1. Leiden University Orientation Week”.

3.9 Location of the Observatory Leiden Observatory is located at the Oort Building, a map can be found here: https://www. universiteitleiden.nl/en/locations/oort-building .

Please also have a look at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/astronomy/ contact for more contact information and travel directions. 4. What does the ﬁrst week look like?

4.1 Leiden University Orientation Week http://orientationweek.org/

Leiden University’s Orientation Week is an important ﬁrst step in becoming well acquainted with Leiden University, and helps you to settle in your new city and its community. During these days, Leiden students will act as guides to show you and your group around Leiden. Groups are organised by study (faculty/subject) and type of programme (Exchange/Bachelor-Master).

The programme will include introductions to Leiden University, your own faculty, the student facilities and the city of Leiden. There will also be various workshops (academic and non-academic) available for you to attend. Furthermore, a variety of social activities will be organised, such as dinners and parties, which give you the chance to meet with many other international students.

4.2 Meetings and to do • Meet the Study Advisor You will have to make an appointment with your study advisor, Wouter Schrier, to discuss your Study Plan and your research interests. Prior to this appointment, you should have made a draft version of your Study Plan by using the provided template, see chapter 5. Please make an appointment via the "Online Appointment Tool". You can also always send an email to: [email protected]

• Meet the Programme Coordinator Please let the Programme Coordinator Arianne Pen know when you’ll be arriving. She over- sees all incoming students, as well as administrative matters related to BSc and MSc studies. She will give you a Sterrewacht account and also assign you to an office. 4.2 Meetings and to do 14

• Meet the ICT Coordinator Visit Erik Deul in room HL407 to get more detailed information about your Sterrewacht computer account. He is the head of the Sterrewacht Computer Group.

• Meet the secretary of the Education Office Astronomy Visit the secretary in room Oort 564 to obtain your office keys.

• Attend first classes and enroll for exams See the online master schedule to find out when and where your first classes will take place. You will have to enroll for exams in uSis, ten (10) days before the exam date at the latest. If you do not enroll, your grades can not be registered. Enrolling can be done with your ULCN account in the online system uSis. uSis can also be used to monitor your study progress and to see your grades and obtained ECTS, etc.

• Contact potential supervisors for your research project In consultation with the study advisor you should contact at least 3 professors to meet and discuss a research project. The research fields of faculty members can be found here.

• Meet your fellow students At the start of the year a get-together will be organised for all new, national and international, MSc-students so you can get to know your fellow students. 5. Study Plan templates

5.1 Study Plan and templates As stated in paragraph 3.4, the Study Plan is the backbone of your MSc programme. It consists of a fully specified plan for your 2-yr MSc programme, including all courses and research projects.

You should schedule an appointment with the study advisor via the "Online Appointment Tool", see paragraph 4.2. The main objective of this meeting is to discuss your study plan and your research interests, which means that you have some homework to do.

You are requested to email a draft Study Plan to the Study Advisor at the latest 48 hours before your appointment and preferably earlier.

Example study plans are attached for the most popular specialisations, which you can use as a template. The study plan consists of:

A. A proposed schedule for the 2-year MSc programme; B. A document demonstrating that the schedule satisﬁes the ofﬁcial requirements.

Please ﬁll in the templates, both parts A and B, and adapt them to your schedule (i.e. replace the listed courses with the ones you actually want to take). Please do not forget to update all relevant ﬁelds (personal info, dates, EC totals, etc).

To help you draft your schedule you should consult the following:

1. The MSc study guide for the different MSc specialisations of Astronomy (on this page, please select the MSc specialisation that you want to follow for a more detailed description of the mandatory and elective courses): https://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/s/0192 5.1 Study Plan and templates 16

2. List of Astronomy courses, incl. preliminary schedule: https://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/s/0192

3. List of Physics courses: https://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/s/0212

4. The MSc Teaching and Examination Regulations (the ‘OER’): https:// www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/organisation/rules-and-regulations/faculty-and-study- regulations/faculty-and-study-regulations/science/astronomy-msc? cf=science&cd=astronomy-msc#tab-2 A few points of advice: • Get compulsory elements out of the way a.s.a.p.

• Take courses that will help you in your research area (if known) a.s.a.p.

• Start your research project a.s.a.p.

The second part of your homework, is to think about the area(s) in which you would like to carry out your ﬁrst research project. Together with the study advisor, you are expected to identify at least three potential supervisors for your ﬁrst research project. You will then later talk to all of them in person before deciding whom to work with. Keep in mind that the two research projects cannot be in the same areas. You can find an overview of potential supervisors and their research interests here: https://www. strw.leidenuniv.nl/research/faculty.php