FY535: Astrophysics and Introduction to Cosmology

Study Board of Science

Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N500019102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor

STADS ID (UVA): N500019101
ECTS value: 5

Date of Approval: 12-05-2020


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Archive

Comment

The course cannot be chosen by students who have passed FY806 Astrophysics or FY817 Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology.

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Knowledge of special relativity and quantum mechanics.

Course introduction

The aim of the course is to give an overview of the subatomic structure of matter (nuclei and elementary particles), and a basic understanding of star formation, stability and evolution. The course includes an introduction also to cosmology, the Big Bang theory and the evolution of the universe.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses Quantum mechanics I and II (FY544 and FY547) / (old curriculum: Introductory quantum mechanics I and II (FY521 and FY522)), and gives an academic basis for studying the topics of astrophysics and cosmology, that are part of the degree.


In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

  • Give the competence to follow a general relativity course
  • Give skills to do analytical and numerical calculations in astrophysics and cosmology
  • Give knowledge and understanding of basic concepts in astrophysics and cosmology

Expected learning outcome

The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:

  • give an overview on an elementary level of the forces of nature governing the Universe
  • explain basic reactions on the subatomic level (nuclei and elementary particles)
  • understand the basics of the evolution of the universe
  • explain the mechanisms governing birth, development and death of the stars

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:

  • Introduction to elementary particles, fundamental forces, nuclei and nuclear models.
  • Star classification, formation, stability, energy transport and evolution.
  • Introduction to the Big Bang theory and evolution of the universe.

Literature

Halliday, Resnick, Krane: Physics Vol 2, Wiley 5th ed.
J. Christensen-Dalsgaard: Stellar Structure and Evolution, Lecture Notes, Aarhus Universitet.
B. Ryden: Introduction to Cosmology, Addison-Wesley, 2003.

See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

January

Tests

Written exam

EKA

N500019102

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

Not 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

48 hours per semester

Teaching Method

  • Intro phase: 32 hours
  • Skills training phase: 16 hours

Lectures and assignments which are related to the topics taught in the lectures.

Activities during the study phase: During the study phase, students are expected to work with self-study of the textbook and examples and tasks in this. In addition, written home assignments form part of the study phase, and students can expect feedback from a teacher.

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Roman Gold gold@sdu.dk CP³-Origins

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Fysik, kemi og Farmaci

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period