PHY-20002 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Registration on the second year of a physics/astrophysics degree programme.

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The module covers the basics of nuclear and particle physics, and then discusses how nuclear burning affects the structure and evolution of a star. It then proceeds to discuss the end-points of stellar evolution, and the origin of the elements that make up our solar system.
There is also a laboratory component aimed at enhancing experimental and communication skills. The laboratory sessions focus on a variety techniques to analyse and interpret real astronomical data.

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

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment