Programme & Unit Catalogues - University of Bath

Skip to content

Department of Physics, Unit Catalogue 2011/12

PH30057: Stellar & galactic astrophysics

Credits:	6
Level:	Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:	Semester 2
Assessment:	EX 100%
Supplementary Assessment:	Mandatory extra work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:	Before taking this unit you must take PH10001 and take PH20013 and (take PH20016 or take PH20076)
Description:	Aims: The aims of this unit are to explore the physical processes that lead to the formation and evolution of stars and to the structure and chemical evolution of galaxies. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * describe the structure and dynamics of galaxies and how they are related; * outline the key steps in the formation and evolution of galaxies; * describe the physical processes occurring in the inter-stellar medium; * discuss in detail how stars form from gravitational collapse of dense gas clouds; * solve order of magnitude problems on any part of the syllabus. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Observational background (4 hours): Stellar distances, magnitudes, luminosities. Stellar classification; Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Red shift. Black holes. Large scale structure of the Universe. Galaxies; galactic structure, classification of galaxies, formation and evolution of galaxies. Galactic astrophysics (9 hours): The Milky Way galaxy (MWG). Galactic rotation. Stellar dynamics. The interstellar medium of the MWG. External galaxies. The masses of galaxies. Chemical evolution and star formation histories of galaxies. Galaxies and the large scale structure of the Universe. Stellar astrophysics (9 hours): Components of the ISM; dark clouds, HII regions, T-Tauri stars, HH objects, masers. Angular momentum and magnetic field problems. Obtaining information about the ISM; spectral line shapes, interstellar reddening. Optical depth. Dust grains. Formation of molecules. Radiatively excited regions. Continuum emission. Hydrostatic equilibrium. Collapse processes. Star formation. Evolution of protostars. Molecular outflows. Zero-age main sequence stars. Evolution off the main sequence. Late stages of stellar evolution. Supernovae. Stellar remnants.
Programme availability:	PH30057 is Optional on the following programmes: Department of Mathematical Sciences TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1 TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1 Department of Physics USXX-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3 USXX-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4 USXX-AAB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4 USPH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Physics (Full-time) - Year 3 USPH-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (Full-time) - Year 3 USPH-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4 USPH-AAB06 : BSc (hons) Physics with Computing with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4 USPH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Physics (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4 USPH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Physics with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4 USPH-AFB09 : BSc Physics (Full-time) - Year 3 USPH-AKB09 : BSc Physics (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4 USPH-AFM02 : MPhys Physics (Full-time) - Year 3 USPH-AFM04 : MPhys Physics with Research Placement (Full-time) - Year 3 USXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.