So I currently have about 5kg worth of books to be reading through, with the goal of familiarising myself with all things spectroscopic. Where quantum spectra go, it seems I still have a number of basic terms that need a bit of work (such as the difference between rotational lines and rotational transitions). All in due time. I’m currently debating whether or not I actually need to take any more taught modules. Perhaps my time would be better spent reading on my own time about the specific subjects I need to know. Suffice to say that my research project and occasional Grad School modules are all I now need. What my research project will actually be still remains to be decided, but it’s almost certainly going to concern circumstellar carbon chemistry.

Reading list:

• Modern Spectroscopy
  J. Michael Hollas
• The Spectroscopy of Flames
  A. G. Gaydon DSc
• The Chemistry of Fireworks
  Michael S. Russell

Looking at that list, anyone would think I was a pyromaniac or something… It’s always good to read about what interests you!