Entry requirements

Advanced Nuclear Physics or The Physics of Stars.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• account for the theoretical models that explain the origin of elements in the universe (nucleosynthesis).
• explain relevant nuclear and astrophysical measurements and observations.
• use some of the relevant theoretical models to perform basic calculations of nuclear astrophysical processes.
• understand up-to-date scientific literature in the field.
• orally present new research results in the field for the other participants of the course.

Content

Thermonuclear reactions. Nuclear structure. Big Bang nucleosynthesis. Nuclear burning processes in stars. Solar neutrinos. Nucleosynthesis of heavy elements. The structure and evolution of stars. The chemical evolution of galaxies. Supernovae. Nucleocosmochronology. Experimental techniques.

Instruction

Lectures and discussion groups.

Assessment

Mid-course test (1 credit), hand-in exercises (2 credits), oral presentation of a self-selected topic (2 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.