FY537: Fundamental Astronomy
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N500047102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N500047101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 06-11-2023
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
The course requires thermodynamics and mathematics from the first year of physical education or equivalent, while relevant nuclear physics, nuclear physics, particle physics etc. will be introduced along the way.
Course introduction
At the end of the course, the student will have basic knowledge of the physics and observations of stars, planetary systems, compact objects, galaxies and the universe as a whole.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
Emphasis is on students obtaining a basic understanding of how the fundamental interactions shape the most central phenomena of astrophysics, e.g. stellar structure, their spectra, evolution, energy production by nuclear fusion, galactic spectra and cosmological signatures.
The course is the first in the astronomy specialization and as such serves as the basis for the following FY535 Astrophysics and Introduction to Cosmology, FY812 General relativity and cosmology, as well as the FY825 Galactic dynamics and dark matter and the observation course in astronomy.
- Provide research-based knowledge of basic physical theories and experimental methods as well as selected current topics in recent physics research.
- Provide knowledge of key scientific theoretical topics and the safety aspects of laboratory work.
- Provide knowledge of the history of physics and science and the role of modern technology.
- Study physical phenomena theoretically and / or experimentally and extract its fundamental physical aspects by analysing data.
- Identify theoretical and practical issues, apply relevant analysis and models.
- Make and justify professionally decisions
- Describe, formulate and communicate issues and results to peers as well as non-specialists, partners and users.
- Understand that the approach to the subject's central topics and methods is independent of national boundaries.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Explain the structure of the Solar System and its components.
- Explain the similarities and differences between the Solar System and planetary systems around other stars.
- Explain stellar properties and key elements of star formation and stellar evolution.
- Explain the overall structure and dynamics of the Milky Way and other galaxies.
- Explain modern cosmological models and evidence that support the Big Bang theory.
- Explain the basics of astronomical observations.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course, the Solar System, Stellar evolution, galaxies, cosmology and observational methods in astrophysics.
Literature
Foundations of Astrophysics - Barbara Ryden, Bradley M. Peterson
https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/foundations-of-astrophysics/EC157954F91AF2EE427CEB2C12465F42#overview
See itslearning for additional syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Spring and June
Tests
Written mandatory assignments and oral exam
EKA
N500047102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
Oral examination - 30 minutes
Examination aids
No aids allowed.
ECTS value
10
Additional information
Exam consists af 5 written compulsory assignments handed in during the course. Form of assessment: an overall evaluation based on oral performance and the compulsory assignments.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
The teaching consists of one to two weekly lectures and two weekly tutorial hours. The students use the knowledge they have gained in the lectures during the two weeks to prepare solutions to assignments that have been put on Itslearning (study phase). The calculations and more details on the topics are discussed by all the students and the teacher in the tutorial classes. The teaching focuses on experiments in addition to the thorough theoretical foundation.
The teaching consists of one to two weekly lectures and two weekly tutorial hours. The students use the knowledge they have gained in the lectures during the two weeks to prepare solutions to assignments that have been put on Itslearning (study phase). The calculations and more details on the topics are discussed by all the students and the teacher in the tutorial classes. The teaching focuses on experiments in addition to the thorough theoretical foundation.
- Intro phase (lectures) - 54 hours
- Training phase: 32 hours, including 24 hours tutorials and 8 hours laboratory
The course will include some short project courses where the students will need computers. MATLAB or similar can be used for the projects.
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
| Name | Department | City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikkel Theiss Kristensen | mtkr@sdu.dk | Fysik | |
| Tobias Cornelius Hinse | toch@cp3.sdu.dk | Institut for Fysik, Kemi og Farmaci |
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.