Students seeking information on possible research projects should contact the Astronomy study advisor, consult the Leiden Observatory Annual Reports, or check out the Leiden Observatory website. Students who strongly prefer to conduct part of a research project outside Leiden Observatory or abroad must first propose this to the Astronomy study advisor. They need, in all cases, prior permission from the Board of Examiners.

All Astronomy research projects are carried out under the supervision of a member of the scientific staff. Keep in mind that if you do two research projects, they cannot be in the same area.

The maximum duration in calendar time of any Astronomy research project is 9 months. However, if the First Research Project is started before November 1 of the first year of the Astronomy master's programme, the deadline is extended to August 1 for students who started the programme in September.

For students who started the programme in February, this deadline is extended to January 1 if the First Research Project is started before April 1 of the first year.

Both Astronomy research projects have a total credit of 30 EC. Per project, this equals 30 x 28 hrs = 840 hrs of research work. Both research projects are concluded with a thesis.

For the Master’s Research Project, the total credit includes also a public presentation (the Student Colloquium).

Please carefully check if the correct project is selected on your registration and assessment forms.

All Astronomy research projects are graded on a 1-10 scale using the Master Research Project Assessment Form. Your Master's Report will be evaluated both by the supervisor(s) of the project and by another staff member not directly connected to the same research project (the second reader). Both the supervisor(s) and the second reader have to be approved staff members with examination authority (click here for the list of approved staff members). The project will be evaluated on three points:

1. The quality and depth of the research
2. The dedication and initiative shown by the student
3. The quality of the thesis (and presentation)

To monitor the progression of Astronomy research projects, student will receive periodic emails at so-called milestones. These milestones occur at the start of the project and at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the allotted duration of the project. These emails contain information about the remaining time until the end date (at 100%). If the project has not been completed by the final date (100%), a grade will be given based on the available material. Student and supervisor should monitor progress with this schedule in mind. Problems or delays should be reported to the Astronomy study advisor, who will also monitor progress.

All Astronomy research projects are concluded with a Master's Report (thesis). In preparing your Master's Report, use the Astronomy Master's Thesis writing tips and tips for good academic writing or this page.

All Astronomy Master's Research Projects are concluded with a public presentation, referred to as Student Colloquium. This presentation will be graded by the Student Colloquium coordinator for your presentation skills and not for the scientific content or the way you conducted your research. Prepare your talk well using these presenting tips and action plan for your presentation. Practice your talk well in advance. Your grade will be sent to your supervisor by the Student Colloquium coordinator.

As an Astronomy master's student, you have to plan your own Student Colloquium, which will be held in the format of an Astronomy master's colloquium conference three times per year. You have to arrange your own reservation using the online Astronomy Student Colloquium registration form.

Should personal problems, problems with your project or problems with your supervisor occur which you would prefer to discuss confidentially, you can contact Astronomy study advisor Wouter Schrier, located in room BM.4.16 of the Gorlaeus building.

The writings and ideas of others form an important part of academic work. The work of others, however, must be clearly identifiable and distinguished from your original writings and ideas. Failure to properly acknowledge the work of others is plagiarism, whether or not you intended to represent the work as your own. All Astronomy master's theses will be checked for plagiarism. If plagiarism is proven, the Board of Examiners will impose penalties. Click here to learn how to avoid plagiarism in your writing.

Master Research Project Registration Form
Master Research Project Assessment Form
Master Research Project Evaluation Form