Galaxy Physics
Syllabus, Master's level, 1FA220
This course has been discontinued.
- Code
- 1FA220
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Physics A1N
- Grading system
- Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail (U)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 6 May 2009
- Responsible department
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
Entry requirements
120 credits including 30 credits of mathematics and 60 credits of physics, astronomy corresponding to the course Astrophysics I.
Learning outcomes
After the finished course the student is expected to
- know the basics of how galaxies of different morphological types and masses are formed and how they evolve
- account for the processes that drives star formation, global mass flowes and chemical evolution, and how these relates the cosmic environment of the galaxies
- account for the physics around active galatic nuclei with massive black holes, and the effect these have over large scales
- account for the spatial distribution of galaxies, kinematics and gravitational influences, and also how galaxies can give information about dark matter and the evolution of the large scale structures of the universe
Content
Galaxy morphology, distances and dimensions. Light distribution, colours and stellar components. Magnetic fields. Kinematics, dynamics and masses. The Milky Way, the Local Group and the Local Supercluster. The local velocity field. Galaxy clusters and large scale structure. Distribution of galaxies, radio sources and quasars at different cosmic epochs. Luminosity function. The intergalactic medium. Galaxy formation and early star formation. Gas flows and chemical evolution. Dynamical and morphological evolution. Interacting galaxies. Active galaxies and quasars.
Instruction
Lectures, exercises, seminars and laboratory exercise.
Assessment
Passed seminars corresponding to 4.5 credits. Passed hand-in exercises corresponding to 1.5 credits, laboratory exercise corresponding to 1 credit, and written and oral presentation of literature assignment corresponding to 3 credits.