AS5522 Stellar Physics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

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

This module develops the physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres from the basic equations of stellar structure and radiative transfer concepts developed in Nebulae and Stars I. Topics include: the equation of state that provides pressure support at the high temperatures and densities found in normal and white-dwarf stars; the interaction of radiation with matter, both in terms of radiation-pressure support in super-massive stars and in terms of the role of opacity in controlling the flow of energy from the stellar interior to the surface; the equation of radiative transfer and the effects of local temperatures, pressures and velocity fields on the continuum and line absorption profiles in the emergent spectrum. Computer-aided tutorial exercises illustrate the computational schemes that represent one of the triumphs of late twentieth-century physics, in their ability to predict the observable properties of a star from its radius and luminosity, which in turn are determined by its mass, age and chemical composition.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED FOR 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 occasionally replaced by whole-group tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

33

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

Guided independent study hours

117

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

AS5522 Stellar Physics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

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

This module develops the physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres from the basic equations of stellar structure and radiative transfer concepts developed in Nebulae and Stars I. Topics include: the equation of state that provides pressure support at the high temperatures and densities found in normal and white-dwarf stars; the interaction of radiation with matter, both in terms of radiation-pressure support in super-massive stars and in terms of the role of opacity in controlling the flow of energy from the stellar interior to the surface; the equation of radiative transfer and the effects of local temperatures, pressures and velocity fields on the continuum and line absorption profiles in the emergent spectrum. Computer-aided tutorial exercises illustrate the computational schemes that represent one of the triumphs of late twentieth-century physics, in their ability to predict the observable properties of a star from its radius and luminosity, which in turn are determined by its mass, age and chemical composition.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED FOR 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 occasionally replaced by whole-group tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

33

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

Guided independent study hours

117

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Solve the radiative?transfer equation for static, plane?parallel grey atmospheres, analytically and numerically.
  • Explain limb darkening and the formation of continuum and spectral lines.
  • Understand LTE, the curve of growth, and their use in determining stellar properties and abundances.
  • Define and calculate Jeans masses and densities, and apply the equations of stellar structure using simple numerical methods.
  • Understand the equation of state in stellar interiors and use homologous models to solve stellar?structure equations.
  • Describe nuclear burning (pp?chain, CNO cycle), main?sequence properties, and post?main?sequence stellar evolution and fates.

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/