Coordinators: Associate Professor Paul Cally (Mathematics and Statistics), Professor John Pilbrow (Physics)
The
Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Physics jointly
offer subjects in astronomy and astrophysics, in collaboration with the Mt
Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatories.
A major sequence in astronomy and astrophysics is available to students
entering their first year of studies. The first-level subjects provide a
descriptive overview of the universe, our place in it, and prospects for the
developments of extra-terrestrial life. 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
astronomy.
It is also possible for students to commence their astrophysics studies at
second or third level, as the first and second-level ASP subjects are not
prerequisites for entry into the following levels. The second-level astronomy
subjects are aimed at students who have completed at least first-level
astronomy or physics, and their purpose is to introduce astronomy from a more
practical and quantitative perspective. 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-level 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.
There
are two first-level 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.
Students considering taking astrophysics at third level are advised to read the
prerequisite requirements under ´Third year'. In particular, students
intending to complete a major sequence in astrophysics must have passed 12
points of physics and at least 12 points of mathematics subjects at first
level, as detailed below.
Second-level
astronomy consists of the subjects ASP2011 and ASP2022, 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-level astronomy is not a prerequisite for
second-year astronomy, but provides useful background material.
A third second-level subject is ASP2052 (also available as ASP3052). ASP2011
and ASP2052 are prerequisites or corequisites for the major sequence in
astrophysics. It is recommended that students intending to complete a major
sequence in astrophysics should take ASP2052 rather than ASP2022 in their
second year. It is not normally recommended that both ASP2022 and ASP2052 be
taken.
Students considering taking astrophysics at third level are advised to read the
prerequisite requirements under ´Third year'. In particular, students
intending to complete a major sequence in astrophysics must have passed at
least 12 points of mathematics and at least six points of physics subjects at
second level, as detailed below.
The
third-level astrophysics sequence consists of up to 24 of the 48 points
required for the final year of the BSc course. It is also available to students
taking combined degrees, such as the BSc/BE.
Although astrophysics subjects are offered at first and second levels, the main
requirement for entry into third-level astrophysics is a strong foundation in
mathematics and physics. Specific second-level prerequisites are listed under
´Prerequisites' below. However, students should be aware that these
second-level prerequisites themselves have prerequisites, and so must choose
their first-level subjects accordingly. In particular, students intending to
take astrophysics at third level must take 12 points of physics and at least 12
points of mathematics subjects at first level. The required physics subjects
are PHS1011 and PHS1022, and the required first-year mathematics subjects are
MTH1020 and MTH1030 or equivalent (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 and ASP1022
provide useful background material, but are not essential.
It is expected that students will take the astrophysics sequence primarily with
either 24 points of mathematics (for those intending to follow theoretical
astrophysics) or with 24 points of physics subjects (for those intending to
follow a more observational or instrumentational approach). In either case,
there is a third-level core of 18 points comprised of the three subjects
ASP3011, ASP3052 and ASP3062. Those taking 24 points of physics will be
required to make up their final six points of astrophysics with MTH3011.
Students taking 24 points of mathematics subjects (including MTH3011) in
combination with astrophysics subjects will normally be required to take
ASP3222. Students will not normally be permitted to enrol in ASP2022 in their
third year in combination with ASP3011 and ASP3052.
If neither mathematics nor physics is being taken at third 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 ASP3011 and ASP3052, and
at least one of ASP3062 and ASP3222 for their enrolment to be approved by the
coordinator.
Students
intending to take 24 points of astrophysics in third level are required to have
passed at least 12 points of mathematics and at least six points of physics at
second year, as detailed below.
The mathematics subjects passed must include MTH2010 and MTH2032. (The
engineering subjects MAT2901 and MAT2902 or MAT2911 and MAT2912 are deemed
equivalent). MTH2021 is also strongly recommended.
The minimum physics requirement is PHS2011 (Physics -- quantum concepts and
technologies), which is a modern physics subject built around quantum physics
taught in the context of atomic, molecular and solid state physics. However, it
is preferable for students to take the 12 points comprising PHS2011 and PHS2022
(Physics for communication and measurement), especially if they are more
interested in the observational or instrumental aspects of astrophysics. This
is because this combination of subjects provides a good grounding in both
quantum concepts and electronics principles, both of which are important in
astronomy and astrophysics. Further, it may be an advantage to those without a
background in astronomy to take the astronomy subjects ASP2011 and ASP2022 in
their second year.
Students entering third level and wishing to take astrophysics, but who lack
the appropriate physics prerequisites, may be able to enrol in some of the ASP
core subjects as part of their mathematics sequence ; see the third-year
´Mathematics' discipline entry in this handbook. However, they should
discuss this with the astrophysics coordinator at the earliest opportunity.
Students entering second level who intend to take astrophysics at third level
but are uncertain about their choice of second level 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. The minimum requirement to apply for entry into ASP4000 is an average grade of distinction or better in third-year astrophysics or equivalent.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers graduate programs in astrophysics. These should be discussed with Associate Professor Paul Cally, Mathematics and Statistics, well before the completion of honours.
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