Entry requirements

120 credits including 30 ECTS credits of mathematics and 60 ECTS credits of physics, astronomy corresponding to the courses Astrophysical radiation processes, Astrophysical dynamical processes and Astrophysics I.

Learning outcomes

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

• explain, analyse and motivate the physical processes and the most important global properties that govern the structure and evolution of a star, and how these properties are expressed in for example the Hertzsprung Russell-diagram
• account for the progress made within the stellar physics research field
• illustrate problems that remain to be solved within this field

Content

Equations for stars in equilibrium. Thermonuclear reactions. Energy transport. The equation of state for different zones in the temperature-density diagram. The theory of stellar evolution. Theory for the production of elements during different phases of stellar evolution. White dwarfs, supernovae, neutron stars, pulsating stars and black holes.

Instruction

Lectures, exercises, laboratory exercises and individual literature assignment.

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course corresponding to 5 credits. Passed laboratory exercises corresponding to 1.5 credits and hand-in exercises corresponding to 1.5 credits, and also written and oral presentation of literature assignment corresponding to 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.