Students undertake both coursework and a research project. The research project, which extends over both semesters, is selected from topics proposed by academic staff and requires the preparation of a thesis and oral reports. Four courses are taken in total, usually two in each session. They are usually selected from the following: Astrophysics; Experimental Magnetism; Meteorological Remote Sensing; Microcomputer Applications; Small-scale Atmospheric Motions, Solid-state Physics; Chaos and Statistical Mechanics; and Stellar Physics. Alternatively, with Head of School approval, appropriate courses from other disciplines of Schools may be substituted.