FY825: Galactic dynamics and dark matter
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N510031102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N510031101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 02-11-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
New course spring 2019
If there are fewer than 12 students enrolled, the course may. be held with another teaching form.
If there are fewer than 12 students enrolled, the course may. be held with another teaching form.
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Knowledge of classical mechanics at the level of FY504. Introductory knowledge of astrophysics and cosmology, e.g. at the level of FY817 is useful.
Course introduction
The aims of the course is to introduce the physics of collisionless gravitational many-body systems – stellar systems such as galaxies, dark matter halos and galaxy clusters. It covers potential theory, orbit theory, collisonless Boltzmann equation, Jeans equations, disk stability, violent relaxation, phase mixing, dynamical friction and kinetic theory.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the course of FY504, and provides a basis for advanced studies and graduate research in astrophysics and astroparticle physics.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give knowledge and understanding of basic concepts in Galactic dynamics and Dark Matter
- Present advanced applications of classical mechanics to central astrophysical systems like galaxies, dark halos and clusters of galaxies.
- Give skills to do analytical and numerical calculations in central parts of astrophysics and astroparticle physics.
- Prepare the student for doing research at the masters and phd level.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
Provide an overview of the basic ingredients in galactic dynamics
- Explain and apply central equations like collisionless Boltzmann equations and Jeans equation.
- Expound relevant timescales and physical processes in galactic dynamics like violent relaxation and dynamical friction.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Galactic formation, stability, evolution and cluster collisions.
- potential theory, orbit theory, collisonless Boltzmann equation, kinetic theory
- Jeans equations, disk stability, violent relaxation, phase mixing, dynamical friction
Literature
- J. Binney and S. Tremaine: Galactic Dynamics, Princeton University Press.
- Notes on Dark Matter.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
June
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N510031102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
Allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
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 methods consist of lectures in the intro phase and exercises in problem solving in the training phase. The students will prepare the problem solving in the study phase, prior to the training phase.
Study phase activities: In the study phase it is expected that the students work independently with the material in the course literature following the intro phase lectures including examples and prepare the problems for the tutorials in the training phase.