The astrophysics subjects will provide training in modern astrophysics, and are primarily aimed at those intending a professional career in astronomy or astrophysics. However, because modern astrophysics draws heavily on the disciplines of physics, mathematics, computation and numerical analysis, they 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. Therefore, 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 third year of studies. This is a collaborative arrangement between the departments of Mathematics and Physics, together with the Mt Stromlo and Siding Springs Observatories. The sequence comprises twenty-four (or twelve) of the forty-eight points required for the final year of a BSc degree (and is available to those taking combined degrees, such as the BSc/BE).
Astrophysics subjects are offered at third-year level only. In their first two years, students intending to pursue studies in the field are required to obtain a firm grounding in mathematics and physics. Specific second-year prerequisites are listed 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 at first year. For physics the required subjects are PHS1011 and PHS1022. For mathematics there are three paths: MAT1010 and MAT1020, or MAT1050 and MAT1080, or, for those enrolled in the BSc/BE combined degree, the engineering mathematics subjects MAT1910 and MAT1920. Students may also find it advantageous to include some chemistry, computer science or earth sciences subjects, depending on their particular interests. Also, some applied mathematics (MAT1240) or mathematical statistics (eg MAT1060) may be useful.
Further study in astrophysics is available within the honours degree programs of the departments of Mathematics and Physics, or jointly between these departments. Note that completing twenty-four points of astrophysics does not normally, of itself, qualify students for entry into honours in either mathematics or physics. Those intending to undertake a fourth year of study in one of these departments must include the appropriate prerequisites within the other twenty-four point sequence of their third year.
The departments of Mathematics and Physics both offer graduate programs in astrophysics.
For further information please contact either the coordinator, Dr Paul Cally (Mathematics), or Associate Professor Peter Wells (Physics).
Coordinator: Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics)
It is anticipated that students will take the twenty-four point astrophysics sequence primarily with either twenty-four points of applied mathematics (for those intending to follow theoretical astrophysics) or with twenty-four points of physics (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. Those taking twenty-four points of applied mathematics with their astrophysics will normally be required to take the two subjects ASP3211 and ASP3222.
If neither applied 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 two subjects from the list ASP3111, ASP3121, ASP3132, ASP3211, and ASP3222, 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 and will be involved in real research projects.
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 MAT2010, MAA2011 and MAA2032. (The engineering mathematics subjects MAT2910, MAT2920 and MAT2930 are deemed equivalent.) MAT2020 is also strongly recommended. For those intending to specialise in theoretical astrophysics the mathematics subjects MAA2021 and MAA2042 are recommended.
Normally, the minimum physics requirement is PHS2031 (consisting of `Introduction to quantum mechanics' and another unit from PHS2011) and PHS2042 (containing `Quantum physics', and one of `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: `Introduction to quantum mechanics' from PHS2011 and `Quantum physics', `Atomic and nuclear physics', and `Thermodynamics' from PHS2022. Further, it may be an advantage, especially for those without a background in astronomy, to take Astronomy PHS2251 and PHS2262, although, depending on future intentions, a strong background in mathematics may be more valuable.
Students entering third year and wishing to take astrophysics subjects, but who lack the appropriate physics prerequisites, may be able to enrol in some of the core subjects under their MAA aliases; see the third-year applied mathematics entry under mathematics in this handbook. Alternatively, if they have passed first-year physics, it may be possible to replace ASP3211 and ASP3222 with PHS2031 and PHS2042. However, they should discuss this with the astrophysics coordinator at the earliest opportunity.
Students entering second year who intend to take astrophysics but are uncertain about their choice of second year subjects should consult the astrophysics coordinator.
Students taking at least twelve points of astrophysics may choose to purchase either:
Shu F The physical universe University Science Books, 1982 or
Karttunen H and others Fundamental astronomy 2nd edn, Springer-Verlag, 1993
These books provide a good general reference to astronomy and astrophysics, though they are not generally specifically referred to in the ASP subjects.
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