Coordinators: Associate Professor Paul Cally (School of Mathematical Sciences), Ms Susan Feteris (School of Physics and Materials Engineering)
The
School of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Physics and Materials
Engineering jointly offer units 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
commencing at level one. The first-level units provide a descriptive overview
of the universe, our place in it, and prospects for the developments of
extra-terrestrial life. These units 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 units are not
prerequisites for entry into the following levels. The second-level astronomy
units 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 units 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
units provide excellent training in modern science and problem solving.
There
are two first-level astronomy units, ASP1010 (Earth to cosmos :
introductory astronomy) and ASP1022 (Life and the universe). Both units 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 'Level three'. 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 units at first level,
as detailed below.
Astronomy
at level two consists of the units ASP2011 and ASP2022, and is presented by the
School of Physics and Materials Engineering, which operates its own
observatories at Mount Burnett and at the Clayton campus. These two units cover
both theoretical and observational astronomy. First-level astronomy is not a
prerequisite for astronomy at level two, but provides useful background
material.
A third unit at level two is ASP2051 (also available as ASP3051). ASP2011 and
ASP2051 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 ASP2051 rather than ASP2022 in their
second year. It is not normally recommended that both ASP2022 and ASP2051 be
taken.
The
astrophysics sequence at level three 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 double degrees, such as the BSc/BE.
Although astrophysics units are offered at levels one and two, the main
requirement for entry into astrophysics at level three is a strong foundation
in mathematics and physics. Specific prerequisites at level two are listed
under 'Prerequisites' below. However, students should be aware that these
prerequisites themselves have prerequisites, and so must choose their level-one
units accordingly. In particular, students intending to take astrophysics at
level three must take 12 points of physics and at least 12 points of
mathematics units at level one. The required physics units are PHS1011 and
PHS1022, and the required mathematics units at level one are MTH1020 and
MTH1030 or equivalent (the Faculty of Engineering units ENG1901 and ENG1902 are
also acceptable). Students may also find it advantageous to include some
chemistry, computer science or geosciences units, depending on their particular
interests. The astronomy units ASP1010 and ASP1022 provide useful background
material, but are not essential.
It is expected that students taking astrophysics at level three will combine
the sequence primarily with either 24 points of mathematics (for those
intending to follow theoretical astrophysics) or with 24 points of physics
units (for those intending to follow a more observational or instrumentational
approach). In either case, there is a core of 18 points at level three
comprised the three units ASP3012, ASP3051 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 units (including
MTH3011) in combination with astrophysics units 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 ASP3051.
If neither mathematics nor physics is being taken at level three, or if the
enrolment contains a combination of both, an astrophysics student wishing to
take the whole sequence would be required to enrol in ASP3012 and ASP3051, 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 level three are required to have
passed at least 12 points of mathematics and at least six points of physics at
level two, as detailed below.
The mathematics units passed must include MTH2010 and MTH2032. (The engineering
units 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 unit 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 units 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 units ASP2011 and ASP2022 in their second
year of studies.
Students at third-year level and wishing to take astrophysics, but who lack the
appropriate physics prerequisites, may be able to enrol in some of the ASP core
units as part of their mathematics sequence; see the level three entry under
'Mathematics' in this handbook. However, they should discuss this with the
astrophysics coordinator at the earliest opportunity.
Students at second-year level who intend to take some astrophysics units at
level three but are uncertain about their choice of level two units should
consult the astrophysics coordinator.
Further study in astrophysics is available within the honours degree program ASP4000, offered by the School of Mathematical Sciences. Inclusion of components from the School of Physics and Materials Engineering is possible. The minimum requirement to apply for entry into ASP4000 is an average grade of distinction in 24 points of level three astrophysics units, or equivalent.
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