PHY-20002: Stellar Astrophysics

This module provides an understanding of nuclear and particle physics particularly as it relates to processes occurring in stars, how this drives the evolution of stars, and hence how the elements are created and distributed. You will acquire skills in handling large bodies of complex (astronomical) data, analyse their statistical properties, and use them to advance our scientific knowledge.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. You should understand forces as due to the exchange of virtual mediators.

2. You should understand nuclear reactions as the quantum tunnelling into and out of nuclei and be able to apply this understanding to the most important nuclear reactions in stars.

3. You should be able to perform order-of-magnitude calculations of reaction rates.

4. You should understand the effect of physical processes on the structure and evolution of stars.

5. You should be able to account for the origin of elements of different masses.

6. You will understand the properties of astronomical data, how to define observing strategies and how to derive scientific results from these.

7. You will be able to perform statistical analyses, using appropriate software to interpret astronomical data.

Study hours

24 hours of lectures
12 hours problem classes
18 hours laboratory work
24 hours laboratory reports and problem sheets
70 hours examination revision and private study

Description of Module Assessment

001: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 60% (min pass mark of 30)

2 hour unseen exam, choice of 4 from 6 questions

002: Tutorial weighted 10%

Assessment based on weekly attendance and engagement
Completing assigned problems on Stellar Astrophysics in problem classes, with assistance given as necessary.

003: Exercise weighted 10%

Four problem sheets

004: Report weighted 20% (min pass mark of 40)

Two laboratory reports

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.