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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Discovering Astronomy S: Stars and Planets (PHYS08029)

Course Outline
School School of Physics and Astronomy College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) Credits 20
Home subject area Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) Other subject area None
Course website None Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description For non-specialists, aimed at non-scientists.
Starts with an explanation of the visually observed night sky, and how this leads to a consistent model of the Solar system and beyond, the tools of the astronomer are surveyed, and then the properties of the planets in our solar system (and others) are described. The Sun is used as a yardstick for star modelling, and the appearance and life cycle of stars is revealed.
Can be taken on its own, or supplemented (in the following year) by the companion course "Discovering Astronomy G: Galaxies and Cosmology" to give a fuller picture
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Astronomy 1S: Stellar and Planetary Science (PHYS08027)
Other requirements Students are expected to be able to perform simple arithmetic and to understand basic geometry and simple algegra.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course the student should:
1) have a thorough understanding at the appropriate level of the basic observational results of stellar astrophysics and of the theoretical tools used in their interpretation.
2) understand the physics of the internal structure of a main sequence star
3) understand the current knowledge of formation of stars and planets
4) know how stars evolve from the main sequence, how they transmute the elements in their cores and how this relates to the history of the Universe
5) understand the ways in which different stars die: white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes.
Assessment Information
1 coursework exercise 16.7%, tutorial exercises 16.7%,
Degree Examination 66.6%
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords AstDS
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Ken Rice
Tel: (0131) 668 8384
Email: wkmr@roe.ac.uk
Course secretary Miss Paula Wilkie
Tel: (0131) 668 8403
Email: paw@roe.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 31 January 2011 8:13 am