PHY 2204 Astrophysics

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The course demonstrates how astrophysics combines astronomy and physics to provide an in-depth understanding of planets, stars and galaxies. Astrophysics remains a fertile area for concepts in physics to be developed and tested and an interesting way to impart knowledge and skills in the physical sciences. The course includes both theory and observation and addresses selected key concepts in planetary science, stellar astrophysics and galactic & extragalactic astronomy. Topics are addressed by the development of observational and problem-solving skills. The course is designed to be an integral part of the Bachelor of Science in physics.

SYNOPSIS:

Astrophysics combines astronomy and physics to provide an in-depth understanding of our universe. Astrophysics is an extremely active area of physics research and deals with such profound scientific issues as the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, the origins and fate of the Sun and planet Earth, and the search for planets and life beyond the Solar System. This course on astrophysics includes both theory and observation, and addresses selected key concepts in planetary science and stellar, galactic & extragalactic astronomy. The topics in this course are addressed though problem-solving and some astronomical observation using a robotic telescope remotely accessible over the web.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. explain introductory astrophysical concepts relating to observing, planets, stars and galaxies;
2. demonstrate knowledge of some important theoretical concepts in astrophysics;
3. apply methods used in astrophysics to solve numerical computational problems;
4. analyse the results of calculations and observations;
5. discuss results by comparing theory and observation;
6. draw conclusions by synthesising results with relevant astrophysical concepts

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination).
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQConnect for this course. Astronomical observation will be done using a robotic telescope remotely accessible over web. Please note that this will be queue-scheduled "robotic observing" not live "remote observing". Observing requests submitted over the web will be scheduled and images taken when possible. For more information and updates when available please see www.usq.edu.au/astronomy or the course page at www.usq.edu.au/users/carterb/phy2204 .