Astronomy B: Frontiers of Astronomy (U00536)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : PHY-1-AstB

An introduction to the development of modern astronomy, suitable for non-specialists. The course examines selected revolutions in astronomical thinking. The main topics are: The Science of Astronomy, The Origin of Planets, Measuring the Universe, Black Holes, The Big Bang. This course may be taken together with either Astronomy A: The Physics of Stars (PHY-1-AstA) or Astronomy C: An Introduction to Astronomy (PHY-1-AstC).

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Students are expected to be able to perform simple arithmetic and to understand basic geometry and simple algebra. Students with no prior physics background will find some of the topics quite challenging.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
09/01/2006	14:00	14:50	Lecture Theatre 5, Appleton Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	14:00	14:50	Central
Lecture	Monday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Friday	14:00	14:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : In addition to lectures, students are expected to attend four one-hour tutorial/practical sessions M 1500 or F 1500, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should:
1)have an insight into the major areas of modern astronomical research, and the theoretical and observational tools used;
2)know in some technical detail the current status of research in planetary science;
3)understand the methods and results of extragalactic astronomy, and its implications for the large-scale structure of the Universe;
4)have a clear understanding of big bang theory;
5)understand the properties of black holes, and of their effects, and know what evidence there is for their existence throughout the Universe.