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PHYS51545: Astrophysics

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Type	Tied
Level	5
Credits	45
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Physics

Prerequisites

Corequisites

PHYS51915 Core Ia: Introduction to Machine Learning and Statistics and PHYS52015 Core Ib: Introduction to Scientific and High-performance Computing

Excluded Combinations of Modules

Aims

Introduction to the basic research skills needed by postgraduate research students; develop general background.

Content

This module teaches you state-of-the-art research and science across a broad range of astrophysics, from stellar populations to galaxy formation and high-energy astrophysics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Basic computing, accessing databases, scripts, presentation skills, specific research background.

Subject-specific Skills:

Basic computing

Key Skills:

Presentation skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total
Stellar structure and evolution	4	1 per week	60 minutes	4
Stellar Populations	4	1 per week	60 minutes	4
AGN and black holes	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Cosmology	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Galaxy Formation	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
The Intergalactic Medium and the Interstellar Medium	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
The Milky Way	4	1 per week	60 minutes	4
Large-scale structure	6	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Clusters and Groups of Galaxies	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Gravitational lensing	4	1 per week	60 minutes	4
The high-z universe	4	1 per week	60 minutes	4
Instrumentation in astronomy	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Stellar dynamics	8	2 per week	60 minutes	8
Cosmological simulations	12	3 per week	60 minutes	12
Self-study and reading				354

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Coursework 1		25
Coursework 2		25
Coursework 3		25
Coursework 4		25

Formative Assessment

Through unmarked homework and feedback on the coursework

More information

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