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Mode of study

Some of this module’s study materials are online. Online materials comprise pages of text with images, video clips of no more than three hours combined (all with transcripts/subtitles), diagrams, software/interactive media, animations and multiple-choice self-assessed quizzes. Online materials also include forums, tutorial rooms and links to external resources. We provide printable formats for the online module content, except for some resources used in the observational astronomy project.

Tuition strategy

This module provides a range of learning events delivered as online tutorials. Although not compulsory, tutorials will help you consolidate your learning.

Working with others

During a two-week period, you’ll work with other students; we assess this. This includes looking at and commenting on others’ work, reflecting on others’ comments on your work, and working with fellow learners to choose an observation target for the observational astronomy project.

Practical work

This module introduces you to the use of an online laboratory (OpenScience Observatories) that we’ve prepared advice on accessing. We assess online practical work, which includes some collaborative group work.

Mathematical and scientific expressions and notations

You’ll use mathematical and scientific symbols and expressions throughout the module and within assessment. In addition, this module uses specialist symbols that standard accessibility tools don’t cover.

Diagrams and other visual content

The study materials contain a considerable number of diagrams, graphs and images. Reading, interpreting and producing examples of these is an important part of the study of this module; we assess this. We cannot describe some of the figures because of the nature of the material. The project work depends on new astronomical data collected during the project and displayed visually.

Finding information

You’ll search for and use external literature, software, databases and third-party material online; we assess this. Unfortunately, we cannot provide alternatives for of the all of these. However, your Student Support Team can advise if you require additional support completing these activities.

Specialist reading material

In this module, you’ll work with specialist reading material such as mathematical notation. We’ll present these online, in print (or printable formats), and via third-party online material and bespoke/third-party software.

Assessment

This module has tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) submitted via the online TMA service, interactive computer-marked assignments completed online and a remote exam.

Feedback

You’ll receive feedback from your tutor on your submitted Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs). This will help you to reflect on your TMA performance. You should refer to it to help you prepare for your next assignment.

Schedule

We structure modules to a set timetable; you’ll need time-management skills to keep your studies on track. We’ll support you in developing these skills.

Specialist software

You’ll use mathematical and scientific symbols throughout the module and within assessment. You can submit scanned handwritten documents or PDF files generated using mathematical and scientific typesetting tools such as LaTeX or Microsoft Word.

The module materials and assessment ask you to use the following specialist software: Anaconda and HOPS – and may not be fully accessible. However, your Student Support Team can advise if you require additional support completing these activities.