Syllabus for Observational Astrophysics I

Observationell astrofysik I

Syllabus

  • 5 credits
  • Course code: 1FA203
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Physics G2F

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
  • Established: 2007-03-15
  • Established by:
  • Revised: 2022-10-13
  • Revised by: The Faculty Board of Science and Technology
  • Applies from: Autumn 2023
  • Entry requirements:

    30 credits in mathematics and 60 credits in physics, Astrophysics I.

  • Responsible department: Department of Physics and Astronomy

Learning outcomes

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

* account for the modern earth- and spacebased telescopes, as well as the instruments and detectors used in astronomy

* account for observational methods and data reduction methods

Content

The course will give an introduction to the modern ground- and space-based

telescopes. Astronomical coordinate systems. Observational methods including

direct imaging, photometry, spectroscopy and interferometry. Different

telescope/instrumentation/detector configurations. Observational experiments,

calibrations and data reductions, both on a theoretical level and experimentally

with the Westerlund Telescope at the Ångström Laboratory.

Instruction

Lectures, instrument calibration exercise and observational exercise.

Assessment

Fullfilled attendance requirements. Final written exam in the form of writing part of an application for observing time at a telescope, corresponding to 3 credits. Presentations, corresponding to 1 credit and passed exercises, corresponding to 1 credit. The final grade on the course depends on the student's commitment and understanding of the subject.

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.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2023

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Kitchin, Cristopher Robin Astrophysical techniques

    4. ed.: Bristol: Institute of Physics Publishing, 2003

    Find in the library

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