Unit information: Galaxies and the Universe in 2013/14

Unit name	Galaxies and the Universe
Unit code	PHYS11500
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Worrall
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	PHYS10600 Stars and Planets
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This course provides a broad introduction to the structure of our own Milky Way Galaxy and of external galaxies and to the observational techniques which allow us to observe the Universe. It discusses key concepts regarding stellar populations in galaxies, the gaseous interstellar medium and the kinematics of both stars and gas. It describes the way in which stars form and how this affects the evolution of galaxies as a whole. It discusses how distances to galaxies are determined and how galaxies are distributed in the Universe, as well as introducing active galaxies. Telescopes and detectors and the required observation techniques at optical, radio and X-ray wavelengths are all described.

Aims:

To describe the different instruments that are needed in modern astronomy to make observations over a wide range of wavelengths, and the coordinate and time systems which are required to allow observations of specific astronomical objects.

To describe the observed contents and kinematics of our Milky Way Galaxy, the evolution of its components and how it might appear to an outside observer. To compare it to external galaxies, illustrating how we deduce their mass, luminosity, kinematics, clustering properties, evolution and level of activity. To describe how contemporary measurements have influenced our understanding of how the Universe has evolved.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• draw an observer's view of the sky at a particular time and use astronomical coordinate systems.

• describe the problems and advantages associated with making observations in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and the way in which telescope and detector design have responded to these.

• outline how the sizes, structures, contents and kinematics of our Milky Way Galaxy and of external galaxies may be deduced from observations made at various wavelength allowing for the effect of factors such as extinction due to dust.

• apply methods for determining distances and velocities and appreciate the gravitational arguments for the existence of dark matter.

• describe how density and composition affect the appearance and evolution of systems of gas and stars and to recognise different galaxy types.

• articulate current theories of evolution and understand why some galaxies are classed as active.

• describe the contents of the Universe and the distribution of galaxies with reference to cosmological ideas.

Teaching Information

Lectures, problems classes and practical work.

Assessment Information

The unit mark comes from:

A final 2 hour examination (85%), continuously assessed practical work (10%) and problem sheets (5%)

The practical work and the problem sheets also provide formative feedback.

Reading and References

• Zeilik and Gregory, Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics

• Roy and Clarke, Astronomy: Principles and Practice