wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Oct 28 14:26:02 EST 1998
Auth: C Whip, University Webmaster's Office
Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
The
Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Physics jointly
offer subjects in astronomy and astrophysics from first year through to honours
level. The objectives of the first and second-year astronomy subjects differ
from those of the astrophysics subjects at third and fourth year. The
first-year subjects provide a descriptive overview of the universe, our place
in it, and prospects for the developments of extra-terrestrial life. They have
no formal prerequisites and are designed to be accessible to science and
non-science students alike. These subjects are particularly recommended for
those interested in the philosophy or history of science, understanding the
necessary precursors to the development of life, or amateur astronomer.
The second-year astronomy subjects are aimed at students who have completed at
least first-year astronomy or physics. Their purpose is to introduce astronomy
from a more practical and quantitative perspective and to illustrate the
application of physics to the cosmos. They will therefore provide a useful
contextual background to prospective physicists in general and to future
astronomers and astrophysicists in particular.
The third and fourth-year astrophysics subjects will provide education in
modern astrophysics, and are primarily aimed at those intending a professional
career in astronomy or astrophysics. However, because modern astrophysics draws
heavily on physics, mathematics, computation and numerical analysis, these
subjects provide excellent training in modern science and problem solving. In
this respect they present an opportunity to apply and extend the knowledge and
skills learned in earlier years of study. Students not intending an
astronomical career (eg future science educators, computational physicists,
etc) will also benefit, as will those who simply wish to better their
understanding of the nature of the wider universe.
A major sequence in astrophysics is available to students entering their first year of studies. This is a collaborative arrangement between the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Physics, together with the Mt Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatories. It is also possible for students to begin their astrophysics studies at second or third-year level, as the first and second-year ASP subjects are not prerequisites for entry into the following year.
There are two first-year astronomy subjects, ASP1010 (Earth to cosmos - introductory astronomy), and ASP1022 (Life and the universe). Both subjects are descriptive and introductory, and are accessible to students with no prerequisites. In 1999 ASP1010 will be offered only in first semester.
Second-year astronomy consists of the subjects ASP2031 and ASP2042, and is presented by the Department of Physics, which operates its own observatories at Mount Burnett and at the Clayton campus. These two subjects cover both theoretical and observational astronomy. First-year astronomy is not a prerequisite for second-year astronomy, but provides useful background material.
The
third-year astrophysics sequence comprises twenty-four (or twelve) of the
forty-eight points required for the final year of a BSc degree. It is also
available to students taking combined degrees, such as the BSc/BE.
Although astrophysics subjects are offered in first and second years, the main
requirement for entry into third-year astrophysics is a strong foundation in
mathematics and physics. Specific second-year prerequisites are listed under
'Prerequisites' below. However, students should be aware that these second-year
prerequisites themselves have prerequisites, and so must choose their
first-year subjects accordingly. In particular, students intending to take
astrophysics at third year must take twelve points of physics and at least
twelve points of mathematics subjects at first year. The required physics
subjects are PHS1011 and PHS1022. For students who have completed first-year
mathematics prior to 1999, there are two main paths: MAT1010 and MAT1020, or
MAT1050 and MAT1080. The former option is preferred. From 1999, the required
first-year subjects will be MTH1020 and MTH1030, but the Faculty of Engineering
subjects ENG1901 and ENG1902 are also acceptable. Students may also find it
advantageous to include some chemistry, computer science or earth sciences
subjects, depending on their particular interests. The astronomy subjects
ASP1010, ASP1022, ASP2031 and ASP2042 provide useful background material, but
are not essential.
It is expected that students will take the twenty-four point astrophysics
sequence primarily with either twenty-four points of mathematics (for those
intending to follow theoretical astrophysics) or with twenty-four points of
physics subjects (for those intending to follow a more
observational/instrumentational approach). In either case there is a third-year
core of sixteen points comprised of the four subjects ASP3011, ASP3021, ASP3032
and ASP3042. Those taking twenty-four points of physics will be required to
make up their final eight points of astrophysics with ASP3111, and one of
ASP3121 and ASP3132. Students taking twenty-four points of mathematics subjects
(including MAT3041/ ASP3111 and at least one of MAT3061/ASP3121 and
MAT3052/ASP3132) in combination with astrophysics subjects will normally be
required to take the two subjects ASP3211 and ASP3222.
If neither mathematics nor physics is being taken at third-year level, or if
the enrolment contains a combination of each, an astrophysics student wishing
to take the whole sequence would be required to enrol in at least two subjects
from the list ASP3111, ASP3121, ASP3132, ASP3211, and ASP3222, for their
enrolment to be approved by the coordinator.
A student intending to take only twelve points of ASP subjects must include at
least two core subjects.
ASP3011 and ASP3032 each include a field trip to Mt Stromlo Observatory (near Canberra), of about five days duration, for training in observational techniques. During this visit students will receive lectures from the observatory staff prior to taking observations on the 74-inch telescope.
Students
intending to take twenty-four points of astrophysics in third year are required
to have passed at least twelve points of mathematics and at least eight points
of physics at second year, as detailed below.
The mathematics subjects passed must include MAT2030, MAT2040 and MAT2072. (The
engineering subjects MAT2910, MAT2920 and MAT2930 are deemed equivalent.)
MAT2020 is also strongly recommended. For those intending to specialise in
theoretical astrophysics the mathematics subject MAT2102 is recommended.
Normally, the minimum physics requirement is PHS2031 (consisting of 'Quantum
physics' and another unit from PHS2011) and PHS2042 ('Atomic and nuclear
physics' and 'Thermodynamics'). However, it is preferable for students to take
the sixteen points comprising PHS2011 and PHS2022, especially if they are more
interested in the observational or instrumental aspects of astrophysical
studies, as this combination of subjects provides a good background in
electronics. For those who wish to take a variety of physics units, those units
which are deemed most useful to the astrophysics sequence in third year are:
'Quantum physics' from PHS2011 and 'Atomic and nuclear physics', and
'Thermodynamics' from PHS2022. Further, it may be an advantage, especially for
those without a background in astronomy, to take the astronomy subjects ASP2031
and ASP2042, though, depending on future intentions, a strong background in
mathematics may be more valuable.
Students entering third year and wishing to take astrophysics, but who lack the
appropriate physics prerequisites, may be able to enrol in some of the core
subjects under their MAT aliases; see the third-year mathematics and statistics
entry in this handbook. However, they should discuss this with the astrophysics
coordinator at the earliest opportunity.
Students entering second year who intend to take astrophysics at third-year
level but are uncertain about their choice of second-year subjects should
consult the astrophysics coordinator.
Further study in astrophysics is available within the honours degree program ASP4000, offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Inclusion of components from the Department of Physics is possible. Entry into ASP4000 will normally require a grade of credit or better in third-year astrophysics.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers graduate programs in astrophysics. These should be discussed with Dr Paul Cally well before the completion of honours.
For further information on the astrophysics program in general, please contact either the coordinator, Dr Paul Cally (Mathematics and Statistics), or Professor John Pilbrow (Physics).
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Oct 28 14:26:02 EST 1998