Recent trends in teaching Astronomy

The purpose of the Department of Physics's close association with the Gothard Observatory is to provide a foundation in basic astronomy and astrophysics during 3 semesters in Berzsenyi Daniel Teacher Training College for future Hungarian Elementary School teachers who will teach pupils to age 14 years. The courses of lectures include: Solar System, Sun, Stars, Stellar Interiors and Atmospheres, Astronomical Techniques, Extragalactic Astronomy, Cosmology. Students have outstanding opportunities to learn and to apply in their research the development of instrumentation, and the techniques of observation with telescopes. Excellent modern computing facilities for support of data analysis and theoretical work are available at Gothard Observatory. Library facilities contain a wealth of astronomical reference materials. Students have direct access to many facilities of the Department and Observatory.