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Department of Physics

The Cavendish Laboratory
 
New Life == New Worlds

The MPhil in Planetary Sciences and Life in the Universe is a 10-month cross-departmental programme designed to deliver outstanding postgraduate level training in the search for life’s origins on Earth and its discovery on planets beyond Earth.

The course structure has been designed by leading scientists to provide students with the theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and transferable skills required to undertake world-leading research in Planetary Sciences and Life in the Universe. Graduating students will be equipped with the discipline specific-specialisations and skills of a masters course, whilst gaining understanding in how the core areas that bridge PSLU fields form the cross-disciplinary foundation of this exciting new frontier.

Graduates of the course will gain valuable skills rooted in the study of the physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology of planetary science and life in the universe. Transferrable skills training is delivered through the three group-based projects running over the year: these provide a unique opportunity for students to gain experience of leadership, collaboration, and written and oral communication.  The training provided will be an outstanding foundation for PhD research in planetary science, exoplanetary science, Earth system science, planetary astrophysics, astrobiology and allied disciplines, or for the wide range of careers where analytical skills, excellent communication, and experience of leading collaborations are key.

For information visit - Planetary Science and Life in the Universe website.

You can apply for the programme here.


Main Image: New Life == New Worlds. 

This image was taken in a single 30sec exposure from the dome of the Isaac Newton Telescope looking out over the stars that the telescope will soon be surveying for Earth-like planets orbiting around Sun-like stars. The photo was shot over the summer of 2023 during an inspection visit to La Palma as a part of the refurbishment of the Isaac Newton Telescope. The silhouette of the telescope seen in this image is the Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope (JKT); the INT’s neighbour.

Credit: Clark Edward Baker