FY537: Fundamental Astronomy

• Providing competence and ability to apply qualitative and quantitative models of astrophysical phenomena and processes, as well as discuss their validity.
• Provide skills in analyzing astrophysical problems based on different representations of data and discussing possible solutions.
• Provide knowledge of how astrophysical data is collected, processed and interpreted from different data sources and the results conveyed.

• 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.

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.

• Intro phase: 54 hours
• Skills training phase: 32 hours, thereof eksaminatorier 24 hours and lab. exercises 8 hours

Study phase activities: Lectures, tutorials, computer and laboratory exercises. The course will contain some short project where students will be expected to use computers. MATLAB or similar are suitable for solving the projects.

The class consists of weekly lectures and bi-weekly tutorials. The students apply the knowledge gained in the lectures within the 2 weeks to prepare solutions for problems provided via blackboard. The calculations and more details about the topics are discussed by all students and the teacher in the tutorials. The class focuses strongly on state-of-the-art experiments in addition to solid theoretical foundation.