AS1001 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

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.

Planned timetable

11:00 am lectures 15:00 - 17:30 practical

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

Module Staff

Dr Rowan Smith, Dr Rita Torero, Dr Claudia Cyganowski, Dr Rita Tojeiro

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 surveys our present state of knowledge of the orbits, surfaces and atmospheres of the planets in our solar system; the structure and evolution of the Sun and other stars, including extra-solar planetary systems; the bizarre menagerie of star-forming regions, violent stellar objects and supermassive black holes found within our own Milky Way Galaxy and in other galaxies; and the large-scale structure and ultimate fate of the expanding Universe. Throughout the module, fundamental observations are interpreted using mathematical models to show how distances and other properties of astronomical objects throughout the Universe have been measured, from the time of Copernicus to the era of the Hubble Telescope and beyond.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

THE STUDENT MUST HAVE HIGHER OR A-LEVEL (OR EQUIVALENT) PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS AT GRADE B OR BETTER

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE AS1101

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Class Tests = 15%, Laboratory work = 25%

Re-assessment

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

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

4 x 1hr lectures x 10 weeks, 1hr tutorial x 8 weeks, 2.5 hr lab x 6-8 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

68

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

Guided independent study hours

132

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the structure and evolution of the physical universe from the solar system, through the galaxy, to the large-scale distribution of galaxies and the origin of the universe.
  • Develop an ability to calculate astrophysical properties of planets, stars and galaxies from basic physical and mathematical models and simplified data.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook, at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/