OLET1638: Intensive March

Overview

This unit of study explores the lives of the stars, leading some to explosive ends and the formation of a black hole. You will learn about the life cycle of a star from its birth in the interstellar medium to its fate as a stellar remnant - as a white dwarf, neutron star or perhaps a black hole. You will work with simulations to gain an appreciation and understanding of the methodology and techniques of modern astronomy, especially astronomical spectroscopy that allows us to measure the composition, physical state and motion of the stars. These measurements also reveal the extreme properties of stellar remnants. More recently, observations of gravitational waves have opened a new window on the universe, allowing us to study the merger of neutron stars. Our study of spectroscopic and gravitational wave observations of extreme environments will clearly illustrate how modern astronomy depends on advancing technology leading to new instrumentation and observational capabilities. The unit also includes opportunities for night observing sessions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	2
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PHYS1500
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	John O'Byrne, john.obyrne@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Courtney Crawford, courtney.crawford@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 4 April 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Optional Observing Optional night time observing using telescopes on the roof of SNH	0%	Multiple weeks	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	End of week Quiz. Early Feedback task #earlyfeedbacktask. Review of online weekly material	5%	Week 01 Due date: 30 Mar 2025 at 23:59	10 MCQs
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised exam ?	Final examination Written short answer exam	60%	Week 06 Due date: 02 May 2025 at 16:00	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	End of week Quiz Review of online weekly material	15%	Weekly	10 MCQs
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Tutorial submission Summary of tutorial exercise	20%	Weekly	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

End of week Quizzes: Comprehension of the material is tested online each week by 10 question, automatically marked MCQ quizzes. Completing each quiz is essential to step through the weeks of the unit. The first quiz is designated as an early feedback task that we use to ensure you are engaged with the unit from the start.
Tutorials: Students individually submit a summary of the weekly tutorial exercise, many of which use real astronomical data. These are (hopefully) a sigificant learning exercise, as well as contributing to marks in the unit.
Optional Observing: This is an optional group activity to use optical telescopes on the roof of the Sydney Nanoscience Hub (SNH) to view the night sky. There is no marked assessment associated with this activity.
Final examination: Understanding of key concepts of the unit is tested in an on-campus exam comprised of short answer questions. See the Sample Exam papers in the Canvas pages for this unit for an accurate indication of the exam structure.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Note that attempting the final examination is required for a pass in this unit. Failure to attempt the final exam will result in a Failed Requirements (FR) grade for the unit.

If you miss the final exam for any reason you should submit an application for Special Consideration to request a replacement exam in the same format.

If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Use of AI in this unit:

AI systems may seem to be an easy way of generating answers that can be presented as your own in an assessment. University policy generally allows the use of AI but you must develop or edit those ideas to ensure your submission is your own, original work. You should also independently verify AI-generated content to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and suitability of the output. Use of AI MUST be declared in a statement at the end of your assessment, explaining what you used the tool for and the prompts that you used.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021, Schedule 1 . For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

Result name	Mark range	Description
Satisfied requirements (SR)	No Mark	When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for selected units including OLEs.
Failed requirements (FR)	No Mark	When you don't meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for selected units including OLEs.

Your final grade will be based principally on your performance in one examination-style assessment where you are clearly working by yourself:

final exam (60%)

Other contributions to your final mark are:

End of week Quizzes (20%)
Tutorial submissions (20%)

A final mark of 50% or more is regarded as a sufficient standard in the unit ("a Pass") and will be returned as an SR grade. However, a final mark less than 50% is not a sufficient standard ("a Fail") and will be returned as an FR grade.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard University late penalties apply. As an example, on a Tutorial submission given a mark of 4/5, the penalty would be 0.25 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 3.75/5. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 1.5 marks and the final mark would be 2.5/5. If you have difficulty submitting an assessment on time, you should submit an application for Special Consideration. A Simple Extension of up to five working days on Assignments is also available through the special consideration portal, or for Quizzes may be negotiated with the unit coordinator. However, in this unit, negotiated Simple Extensions will only rarely be granted since justifiable reasons for extension should usually be eligible for Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Observing - Optional single session	Practical (2 hr)
Week 01	Stellar Properties and Evolution - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)
	Stellar Properties and Evolution - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Stellar Properties and Evolution - lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Late Stage Evolution and Supernovae - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)
	Late Stage Evolution and Supernovae - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Late Stage Evolution and Supernovae - lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Neutron Stars - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)
	Neutron Stars - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Neutron Stars - lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Black Holes and Gravitational Waves - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)
	Black Holes and Gravitational Waves - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Black Holes and Gravitational Waves - lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Revision and Preparation for final exam	Individual study (5 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Canvas site for this unit.

Other resources

Extensive and reliable astronomy information is available on-line, beyond the materials and links presented on the Canvas pages. Introductory astronomy textbooks at a suitable level (similar to the online text linked in the canvas pages) are available in the SciTech library. For example, a book we have used in the past is The Cosmic Perspective, Jeffrey O. Bennett (various editions).

Be aware that astronomy is a rapidly advancing field and, while all the basic information will be correct in older books and give you a good background, the latest information and perspectives that we embed in this unit may be missing.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Compare and contrast the basic observable properties of stars and how they are measured
LO2. Summarise the birth and evolutionary history of stars of various masses
LO3. Discuss the indigenous astronomy context for modern stellar astronomy
LO4. Carry out simulations to illustrate how spectra are used to determine properties of stars
LO5. Compare and contrast the characteristics of exotic stellar remnants - white dwarfs, neutron stars or black holes
LO6. Outline the significance of changing technology, in particular spectroscopy and gravitational wave observations, in observation of stars and stellar remnants
LO7. carry out simple observations of the planets and stars using an optical telescope to illustrate the central role of observation in astronomy.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We welcome comments on all aspects of this unit. You should feel free to talk to your lecturers, tutors or the Unit Coordinators A/Prof. John O’Byrne or Dr Anita Hafner at any time. There is also a formal opportunity for feedback via the USS questionnaire for this unit, available online towards the end of semester. This semester has some significant changes in assessment, driven in part by a university decision to move OLEs to a result that is simply Satisfied Requirements (SR) or Failed Requirements (FR) - essentially Pass/Fail. As a result the weekly quizzes have changed to 10 question MCQ quizzes and tutorial submissions have been simplified. In addition, an early assessment task is required by the university to ensure student engagement early in the semester. In this unit, that is the first end of week quiz.

Additional information

Equity, Access and Diversity statement

The School of Physics recognises that biases, bullying and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.

The School has Equity Officers as a point of contact for students who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, bullied or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.

More information can be found at https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-diversity-and-inclusion.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Inclusion and Disability
Services ( https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/health-wellbeing/inclusion-and-disability.html ) who can help arrange support.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 17 Mar 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OLET1638: Astronomy: from Stars to Black Holes

Intensive March - April, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect