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 ac- count 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 infor- mation 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