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Planetary and Space Sciences

Course details

University Name
The Open University
Department
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute - PSSRI
Course Title
Planetary and Space Sciences
Qualification, duration, mode
PhD 36FT 72PT variableDL*MPhil 15FT 24PT variableDL
Pathways
Astrobiology and habitats for life; Cosmochemistry; Planetary science and comparative planetology; Space science and space technology
Months of entry
October
Entry requirements
PhD: The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or master's degree, relevant to the proposed area of study, from a recognised higher education institution in the UK. You should also have experience of academic research in the previous four years, normally in the form of either a master's degree in research methods, an undergraduate degree with a research element in the final year, or work-related experience with evidence through research reports. If you're not sure if you meet the entry requirements, please contact us (research-degrees-team@open.ac.uk).
MPhil: see http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/ for more information.
Funding
Please see The Open University website http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/ for more information.
Course description
The Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute (PSSRI) is one of the UK's leading centres of excellence for planetary and space science research, with a multidisciplinary approach to a broad range of activities with the unifying themes of the formation and evolution of the solar system, planetary exploration and the study of life in extreme environments.

Geologists, astronomers, chemists, physicists and microbiologists work together on space flight instrumentation, extra-terrestrial sample analysis, ground and space-based observations, theoretical modelling and experimental simulations of extraterrestrial processes. PSSRI is a core member of CEPSAR, the University's interdisciplinary Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research.

PhD projects are offered in all of these areas as well as for industrial collaborations on detector technology, medical, environmental and security spin-offs.

Key facts

- Interdisciplinary environment with ~75 staff including 20 postgraduate students.
- Internationally renowned researchers in a range of disciplines with CEPSAR research being ranked in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, with 70 per cent of its research ranked as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' and 95 per cent being at least 'recognised internationally' in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
- Leading roles in international space missions, with student involvement at all phases (instrument development, flight operations and data analysis).
- Student access to unparalleled laboratory facilities for analysis of extraterrestrial samples.
- Many large grants from research councils, industry and charities.
- Studentships funded by STFC and industry available each year.
Contact name
Astrid Peterkin
Telephone
+44 (0)1908 659845
Email
science-phd-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Web
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/
Application
Apply online

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