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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

310266 (v.3) Physics of Stars and Galaxies 202

Area: Department of Imaging and Applied Physics
Credits: 25.0
Contact Hours: 3.5
TUITION PATTERNS: The tuition pattern provides details of the types of classes and their duration. This is to be used as a guide only. Precise information is included in the unit outline.
Lecture: 1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Tutorial: 1 x 1 Hours Weekly
Workshop: 1 x 2 Hours Fortnightly
Prerequisite(s): 8142 (v.5) Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism 201 or any previous version
UNIT REFERENCES, TEXTS, OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT DETAILS: The most up-to-date information about unit references, texts and outcomes, will be provided in the unit outline.
Syllabus: This unit begins with an overview of basic cosmology, applying Newtonian physics to understand the observational consequences of the hot Big Bang and the theory of inflation, from the expansion of the Universe to the existence and properties of the Cosmic Microwave background and the abundances of light elements. The physics of stars is then explored in some detail, from stellar structure to the nuclear reactions that produce energy, showing that stellar nucleosynthesis and supernova explosions generate all the heavy elements in the universe. Stellar life cycles are then investigated, from star formation to stellar end products (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes), exploring in detail the use of star clusters (both open and globular) as evolutionary microcsoms. Galactic structure and dynamics are then discussed, leading into an exploration of some key issues in modern astrophysical research, such as dark matter problem. Finally, the understanding of Galactic structure and accretion physics gained in this unit is applied to explore the nature of quasars, the most luminous objects in the Universe that are powered by super-massive black holes in the cores of galaxies.
Field of Education: 010303 Astronomy
Result Type: Grade/Mark


Availability

Year Location Period Internal Partially Online Internal Area External Central External Fully Online
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

Area External refers to external course/units run by the School or Department or offered by research.

Central External refers to external and online course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area

Partially Online Internal refers to some (a portion of) learning provided by interacting with or downloading pre-packaged material from the Internet but with regular and ongoing participation with a face-to-face component retained. Excludes partially online internal course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area which remain Central External

Fully Online refers to the main (larger portion of) mode of learning provided via Internet interaction (including the downloading of pre-packaged material on the Internet). Excludes online course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area which remain Central External


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