Coordinators: Professor Paul Cally (School of Mathematical Sciences), Ms Susan Feteris (School of Physics and Materials Engineering)
Studies
in astronomy and astrophysics are 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 physics and
mathematics, 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.
Astrophysics is the application of known physical laws to the study of the
objects that make up the universe - planets and stars, comets, pulsars and
quasars, black holes and galaxies. 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.
The astronomy and astrophysics program is presented jointly by the School of
Mathematical Sciences and the School of Physics and Materials Engineering, in
collaboration with the Mt Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatories.
Minor sequence in astronomy (24 points):
Major sequence in astrophysics (48 points):
The
two first-level astronomy units ASP1010 and ASP1022 are descriptive and
introductory, and are accessible to students with no prerequisites.
Students considering a minor sequence in astronomy should complete at least six
points of first-year physics and MTH1030 or equivalent.
Students considering taking a major sequence in astrophysics should complete
PHS1011 and PHS1022 and at least 12 points of mathematics units at level one,
normally MTH1020 and MTH1030 or equivalent. Students may also find it
advantageous to include some chemistry, computer science or geosciences units,
depending on their particular interests.
The unit ASP2011 is presented by the School of Physics and Materials Engineering, which operates its own observatories at Mount Burnett and at the Clayton campus, while ASP2062 is taught by the School of Mathematical Sciences. The units cover both theoretical and observational astronomy. ASP2062 is a core unit in the astrophysics major and should be taken at level three if not taken at level two. ASP2062 is a new unit in 2005 and replaces ASP2022. Students who have completed ASP2022 must follow the rules for the astronomy minor and astrophysics major published in the 2004 handbook. Students intending to take 24 points of astrophysics in level three must have completed at least 12 points of mathematics and at least six points of physics at level two. The mathematics units completed must include MTH2010 and MTH2032, but MTH2051 or MTH3051 is also strongly recommended. The minimum physics requirement is PHS2011, 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 12 points of physics comprising PHS2011 and PHS2022, 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 quantum concepts, electronics principles and optics, all of which are important in astronomy and astrophysics.
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) at
level three. In either case, there is a core of 12 points at level three
comprised of the two units ASP3012 and ASP3051. In addition, students must
complete at least one of ASP3222, ASP3231 and MTH3360. Students who completed
ASP2062 at level two would normally take MTH3360 and ASP3231. Students who
still have to complete ASP2062 at level three would normally choose between
MTH3360 (if inclined more to the theoretical) and ASP3231 (if inclined more to
the observational). ASP3222 is for students who are not taking physics at level
three and are inclined towards theoretical astrophysics.
Students intending to study theoretical astrophysics at honours level in the
School of Mathematical Sciences are advised to include MTH3360 at level three
and to gain some experience with numerical computation.
Students who have already completed ASP2022 must follow the rules for the
astrophysics major published in the 2004 handbook.
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.
Further study in astrophysics is available within the honours program 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 honours in astrophysics is an average grade of distinction in 24 points of level-three astrophysics units, or equivalent.
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