School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
PHY-30028 Physics of Galaxies  
Co-ordinator: Dr Dean McLaughlin    Room: LJ1.49, Tel:34113  
Teaching Team: Dr James  Reeves, Mrs Patricia  Pointon  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Astrophysics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Astrophysics Major (Level 3)
Astrophysics Minor (Level 3)
Physics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Physics Major (Level 3)
Physics Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
Successful completion of Level 2 in Physics or Astrophysics

Description

This optional core module is open to students in Level 3 of any degree programme in Physics or Astrophysics. No prior knowledge of astronomy is assumed or required. The first half of the module builds on the study of mechanics and Newtonian gravity from Level 1, developing more advanced results that are applied to the structures and dynamics of galaxies, star clusters, and clusters of galaxies. Dark matter is a recurring theme. The second half of the module draws on further core physics from Levels 1 and 2 to calculate physical processes around supermassive black holes in the nuclei of active galaxies, and to analyze aspects of galaxy clusters, large-scale structure, and the first galaxies in the Universe. Contact is made throughout with the Level 3 study of electromagnetism.
Aims
To develop an understanding, at the undergraduate level, of how physics is applied to explain the properties and phenomenology of galaxies in the Universe. To introduce and consolidate key observations of galaxies and other self-gravitating stellar systems. To use and extend concepts from core studies of Newtonian gravity and mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum physics, in the development of a systematic, physics-based framework for the description and analysis of the stars, gas, and dark matter associated with galaxies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Describe quantitatively the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy and its main components, and how these relate to other galaxies. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Analyze the structure and dynamics of galaxies, star clusters, and clusters of galaxies, using advanced classical mechanics and Newtonian gravity. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Interpret physically the properties of normal galaxies along the Hubble sequence, including scaling relations and connections to dark matter. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Calculate physical processes in the nuclei of galaxies involving accretion onto black holes and the emission and absorption of radiation. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Apply fundamental physics to calculate the dynamical state of groups and clusters of galaxies, their intracluster gas, and their dark matter content. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Describe large-scale structure in the Universe, the nature of the first galaxies, and their implications for dark matter and cosmology. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Study hours
Lectures: 24 hours
Tutorials: 12 hours
Problem Sheets: 24 hours
Private Study and Directed Reading: 90 hours
Description of Module Assessment
01: Problem Sheets weighted 30%
Problem sheets
Four assessed problem sheets.
02: Unseen Exam weighted 70% (min pass mark of 30)
2-hour unseen written examination
Unseen examination with a mix of bookwork and problem-solving. Requires answering 3 questions out of 5.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

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