100th 'Astronomy by Distance' success

29 June 2010

The Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) hit this centennial mark with a course tailored towards those who want to learn the science behind their sky navigation, ‘Universe through a Small Telescope’.

The Institute runs a selection of innovative and flexible life-long learning courses that can be taken by students who do not have any specialist scientific or mathematical background, using a variety of interactive media.

The ARI prioritises these high quality and innovative courses, offering a wide range of study opportunities from the flexible Astronomy by Distance Learning to MPhys & BSc Degree programmes run as a joint venture (unique to UK Physics) with the Department of Physics at The University of Liverpool.  

The Institute is also involved in new research initiatives to further widen access to higher education through its National Schools Observatory and the visitors centre, Spaceport.

One distance learning student who recently completed this course, German resident Simon Coggins-Hill, has even achieved part authorship on an academic paper using what he had learned from the courses.

Andrew Newsam, Reader in Astronomy Education, commented:

“Reaching the 100 course is a great testament to the Institute’s ability to engage people in the subject of Astrophysics. We have had a total of 2,368 enrolments onto the courses since we started running them and many are from very distant locations such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan.  Some students complete the ten courses and gain the Certificate of Higher Education. All courses are accredited by the University and credits earned through these courses can be transferred towards related courses at other universities.”

Students can also gain access to the Liverpool Telescope, which is the world’s largest robotic telescope. More details here: http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/

For details of the distance-learning courses on offer at the Astrophysics Research Institute at Liverpool John Moores University, visit http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/

Pictured above: The Eagle Nebula as viewed by the Liverpool Telescope.