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ASTROPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY

Module code: MP467
Credits: 5
Semester: 1
Department: THEORETICAL PHYSICS
International:
Coordinator: Prof. Peter Coles (THEORETICAL PHYSICS)

	Overview
	Star formation: Jeans mass; PP-chain and CNO cycle. Stellar Structure: hydrostatic equilibrium; radiation transport. Eddington limit. Degenerate stars: super-novae; white dwarves; neutron stars; pulsars; black-holes. Binary systems: Gravitational radiation. Galactic structure and evolution: active galactic nuclei; radio galaxies; quasars. Cosmology: the Big Bang; microwave background radiation; nucleosynthesis; cosmological constant; dark matter; inflation. Astro-particle physics: Cosmic rays; monopoles. This module cannot be taken by students who have taken AP301.

Overview

Star formation: Jeans mass; PP-chain and CNO cycle. Stellar Structure: hydrostatic equilibrium; radiation transport. Eddington limit. Degenerate stars: super-novae; white dwarves; neutron stars; pulsars; black-holes. Binary systems: Gravitational radiation. Galactic structure and evolution: active galactic nuclei; radio galaxies; quasars. Cosmology: the Big Bang; microwave background radiation; nucleosynthesis; cosmological constant; dark matter; inflation. Astro-particle physics: Cosmic rays; monopoles.

This module cannot be taken by students who have taken AP301.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Summarise the different scales from planets to stars to galaxies to cosmological distances and the basic physics that underpins them Explain stellar structure and energy sources in stars Describe the basic processes behind star formation and the end points of stellar evolution, including white dwarves, neutron stars and black-holes Interpret the evidence for cosmological expansion Calculate the dynamics of the Universe at cosmological scales using different equations of state in the Friedmann equations Give an overview of the Big Bang theory of cosmological evolution and nucleosynthesis

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Written exam University scheduled written examination (Autumn): 120 minutes Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment registration permitted? No Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment capped? No

	Timetable
	This timetable is not currently available, please contact the Theoretical Physics Department.

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Courses / Module

ASTROPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY