Course finder
Semester 2
Introductory Astrophysics (PHYS08050)
Subject
Physics and Astronomy
College
SCE
Credits
20
Normal Year Taken
1
Delivery Session Year
2023/2024
Pre-requisites
It is recommended that students have Higher or A-Level maths, or equivalent.
Course Summary
This is an applied physics course focusing on the practical application of physics to understand a range of different astronomy observations, studying the stars, galaxies and cosmology. This is a hybrid course, with content delivered virtually through a textbook that we wrote for you and a series of short videos with embedded quiz questions. There are no traditional in-person lectures. Instead we offer a weekly 1hr in-person peer learning session and 3x2hr problem solving workshops, spread throughout the semester.
Course Description
1. Stars (Weeks 1-5)- Light and Gravity - Spectra, Blackbody radiation, Newton's Laws- Birth to Death - HR diagram, Main Sequence Stellar Structure, Stellar Evolution, Star Death2. Galaxies (Weeks 6-9)- Milky Way and beyond - Galactic structure, galaxy morphology/formation, AGN and Black Holes3. Cosmology (Weeks 10-11)- Big Bang and Inflation, CMB, Nucleosynthesis, Dark Matter and Dark Energy4. Revision (Workshop)- Mock exam and feedback
Assessment Information
Written Exam 67%, Coursework 33%, Practical Exam 0%
Additional Assessment Information
2/3 Examination1/3 Coursework: Workshop Problems, Online Quizzes and Peer-Learning
view the timetable and further details for this course
Disclaimer
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