AS1101 Astrophysics (Direct Entry)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

5

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 7

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 Direct Second level Entry students in Physics or Astrophysics

Planned timetable

11:00 am (approx. 3 lectures and 1 tutorial every two weeks). Total of 2 lab sessions, 3:00 to 5:30 pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module provides a streamlined introduction to the science of astrophysics for students who have taken direct entry to Second level and who are planning to take level two astrophysics later in the same academic session. It covers the essential items of observational astrophysics and how the radiation that is detected on Earth can be used to develop a physical model of the Sun, stars, planets, our Galaxy and external galaxies as well as the Universe as a whole. Topics will include stellar evolution, the rotation curves of galaxies and the need for Dark Matter as well as the expanding Universe, Dark Energy and cosmology.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

DIRECT ENTRY TO LEVEL TWO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS WITH A DEGREE INTENTION OF ASTROPHYSICS, PHYSICS, THEORETICAL PHYSICS OR A JOINT DEGREE WITH ONE OF THESE.

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE AS1001 OR TAKE AS1002 OR TAKE PH1501

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE PH2011

Assessment pattern

Coursework (Class test = 50%, laboratory work = 25%, take-home exam = 15%, online quizzes = 10%) = 100%

Re-assessment

1-hour Written Examination = 75%, Existing Laboratory work = 25%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 x 1hr lectures x 4 weeks, 1hr tutorial x 4 weeks, 2.5 hr lab x 2 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

21

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

Guided independent study hours

29

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

Additional information from school

AS1101 - Astrophysics (Direct Entry)

Aims & Objectives

The aim of this module is for students to obtain an elementary understanding of the structure of the observable Universe, and our position within it. We explore the physical content of the Universe, its structures and interactions. We discuss how properties of planets, stars and galaxies can be determined from observations, coupled with theoretical models based on physical principles. The module comprises 12 lectures on Elementary Astrophysics, Stars and Stellar Evolution, The Milky Way and other Galaxies, and Cosmology, and thereby provides a complete overview of the subject at this level.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will have gained:

  • an understanding of the structure and evolution of the physical Universe
  • an ability to calculate astrophysical properties of celestial objects (e.g., planets, stars and galaxies) from (simplified) observations coupled with basic physical and mathematical models

Synopsis

  1. Elementary Astrophysics
  2. Stars and Stellar Evolution
  3. The Milky Way and other Galaxies
  4. Cosmology

Recommended Books

Please view University online record:

http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/as1101.html

General Information

Please also read the additional information in the School's handbook for first and second level modules that is available via https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/.