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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Discovering Astronomy (PHYS08039)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaUndergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionDiscovering Astronomy is an introductory astronomy course that should be accessible to any student. We assume a basic level of numeracy, but no mathematics more complicated than simple algebra and simple trigonometry is used. The course covers a wide range of topics including The Solar System, Star and Planet Formation, Extrasolar Planets, Stellar Evolution, The Milky Way Galaxy, Galaxy Formation, Cosmology, and the Big Bang. The course has a set textbook that we follow quite closely and is supported by online material accessed from the course homepage.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed:
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Discovering Astronomy G: Galaxies and Cosmology (PHYS08030) AND Discovering Astronomy S: Stars and Planets (PHYS08029) AND Astronomy 1G: Galactic and Cosmological Science (PHYS08028) AND Astronomy 1S: Stellar and Planetary Science (PHYS08027)
Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLectureLectures1-11 14:00 - 14:50
CentralLectureLectures1-11 16:10 - 17:00
CentralLectureLectures1-11 14:00 - 14:50
CentralTutorialTutorial1-11 15:00 - 15:50or 15:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 14:50, Zone: Central. First Lecture - George Square Theatre
Additional information Students are expected to attend 5 one hour tutorial/practical sessions - one every 2 weeks as arranged.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Discovering Astronomy2:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Discovering Astronomy2:00
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
6) understand the stellar context of the astronomy of the Universe
7) know the properties and history of our Milky Way Galaxy, and our place within it
8) Understand the origin and evolution of the major types of galaxies
9) Understand in outline the properties of massive black holes and the relativistic jets associated with them
10) Understand, at an appropriate level, current cosmology
Assessment Information
5 x Tutorial hand-ins (best 4 of 5 count 1/6 of final mark)
1 x Coursework (1/6 of final mark)
1 x Final exam (2/3 of final mark)
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
KeywordsDiscA
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ken Rice
Tel: (0131) 668 8384
Email: wkmr@roe.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Paula Wilkie
Tel: (0131) 668 8403
Email: paw@roe.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:40 am