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: 17-03-2023
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
Is not offered Autumn 2023 and changes term to Spring and is offered Spring 2024.
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
The course cannot be followed by students who have followed and passed FY539: Galactic dynamics and dark matter (5 ECTS)
Academic preconditions
Knowledge of classical mechanics at the level of FY546 (former FY504). Introductory knowledge of astrophysics and cosmology, e.g. at the level of FY535 (former 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 FY546 (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 itslearning 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
Duration
5 hours
Examination aids
All common aids are allowed e.g. books, notes, computer programmes which do not use internet etc.
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may visit the course site in itslearning to open system "DE-Digital Exam". If you wish to use course materials from itslearning, you must download the materials to your computer the day before the exam. During the exam you cannot be sure that all course materials is accessible in itslearning.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
Re-exam is changed to an oral exam if there is only 1 student enrolled.
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.
- Intro phase (lectures): 30 hours
- Skills training phase: 14 hours, hereof tutorials: 14 hours
The teaching methods consists 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.
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
| Profile | Education | Semester | Offer period |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc major in Physics - Registration September 1st 2021 and 2022 | | Odense | 1 | E23 |
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.