Computational and Observational Methods in Astrophysics

Undergraduate catalogue

How do we observe and model the universe? We discuss the wide range of observational tools available to the modern astronomer, with telescopes on the ground and in space, observing from gamma rays to radio, as well as gravitational waves. We review basic probability and statistics and introduce students to techniques used in analysis and interpretation of modern data sets containing millions of galaxies, quasars and stars, plus the analytic tools and numerical methods used by theoretical astrophysicists to model the data. The course is problem-set-based and aims to provide students with tools needed for independent research in astrophysics.