Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 hours lectures and workshops |
| Other | Research essay and Assignment Sheets |
| Workload Breakdown | Every 10 credits carries a notional student workload of 100 hours: 20 hours Lectures and Workshops, 20 hours Assignment Sheets, 24 hours Research Essay and preparation, 36 hours independent study |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | 2 Assignment Sheets (2 x 10%) | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Research Essay (6 journal pages inlcuidng diagrams) | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the main galaxy types and their evolution
2. Describe the essential morphological, dynamical, and chemical properties of galaxies in the local Universe
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the simple physics of galactic systems
4. Show knowledge of key ideas in the processes involved Active Galactic Nuclei
5. Explain importance of the new branches of astronomy that have developed over the past 50 years and how they added to the knowledge of galaxies
6. Explain the basic physical processes that generate signals over the whole spectrum
Brief description
The course provides an overview to galactic astrophysics, considering galactic formation, dynamics and evolution.
Content
The development of different branches of astronomy, such as radio, x-ray and y-ray astronomy, has greatly enlarged the radius of the observable Universe and uncovered many strange objects that have provided a major stimulus to the whole of physics.
The kinetics of galactic rotation indicates the controlling influence of hidden mass distributed throughout a volume of space much larger than the limits of the Galaxy previously imagined.
The presence of hidden mass is also indicated by the kinetics of clusters of galaxies. The accretion of mass under the pull of a strong central gravitational field, possibly centred on a black hole, is thought to provide the energy to fuel quasars and radio galaxies.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The majority of questions in the assignments and formal examinations will contain numerical problems. |
| Communication | Written communication is developed via the research essay and lecture assignments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Assignments and the research essay are used in order that students might reflect on their progress during the module. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to research topics within the module via the internet. Word processing (or equivalent) skills will be required for the essay. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will highlight the latest developments in this field and hence will assist with career development. Analytical skills have wide applicability. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving is a key skill in physics and will be tested via the problem questions posed in the assignments and examination. |
| Research skills | A research essay, for which students are required to independently research their selected project area ,forms 20% of the module assessment. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6