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Astrophysics (PHYC30019)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an introduction to astrophysics discussing the basic structure of stars, our galaxy, and the universe and introducing the most recent research questions.
Topics covered include:
- structure and evolution of stars, degenerate stars, black holes, the structure of the Milky Way and other cosmic objects, emission processes in astrophysics, high energy astrophysics, relativistic cosmology and cosmological models
Intended learning outcomes
To challenge students to expand their knowledge of fundamental astrophysical principles and develop their capacity to:
- explain the structure and evolution of stars, the Milky Way and other cosmic objects and cosmological models;
- explain the physics underlying emission processes in astrophysics, high energy astrophysics and cosmology, and
- demonstrate an understanding of emission processes, degenerate stars, black holes, accretion processes and relativistic cosmology;
- solve problems relevant to these topics.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- analyse how to solve a problem by applying simple fundamental laws to more complicated situations;
- apply abstract concepts to real-world situations;
- solve relatively complicated problems using approximations;
- participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions;
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for tutorial classes, undertake written assignments and the examination, and prepare and give a group presentation.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students are required to meet both Physics and Mathematics prerequisites below
Physics:
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHYC20012 | Quantum and Thermal Physics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC20015 | Special Relativity and Electromagnetism | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Mathematics:
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20032 | Vector Calculus: Advanced | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20026 | Real Analysis |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC20014 | Theoretical Physics 2 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20033 | Real Analysis: Advanced | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
3 x 1500 word equivalent written assignments, written in groups of 2-3; due in Weeks 4, 8 and 11 (each assignment will be the outcome of 4 x1-hour problem workshops in each of these weeks)
| From Week 4 to Week 11 | 30% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 70% |
Hurdle requirement: Attendance of at least 9 of the problem workshops held in Weeks 4, 8 and 11 | From Week 4 to Week 11 | N/A |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Rachel Webster Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 2 to 4 hours per week, 36 in total, lectures and problem-solving classes Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Dan Maoz, Astrophysics in a Nutshell, Princeton University Press, 2007
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Physics specialisation Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Physics Informal specialisation Physics Major Physics - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 15 February 2024