AS5524 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on MSc Astrophysics.

Module description

Fluid dynamics is the study of all things that 'flow', whether they are liquids or gases. The underlying concepts and techniques taught in this course are of wide ranging use, finding application in such diverse problems as the collision of galaxies, spacecraft re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, or the structure and stability of fusion plasmas. Closer to home, the behaviour of fluid flows can readily be observed in rivers, on shorelines and in cloud formations. Fluid mechanics describes the types of flows that result from different forces (such as gravity). It explains how (and why) flows become supersonic and when they may become unstable. These basic principles can then be applied to a variety of problems. In addition to introducing the concepts of fluid dynamics, and describing their application, this course will provide the students with the opportunity to develop the numerical skills required for a computational approach to the problem.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

REGISTRATION ON MSC ASTROPHYSICS.

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE AS5500

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 75%, Coursework = 25%

Re-assessment

Oral re-assessment = 100%, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures and some tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

122

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.