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Unit of study_
PHYS2923: Astrophysics and Relativity (SSP)
2025 unit information
Are you someone with a very strong interest in Physics who wants a more open-ended approach to your learning? This unit of study includes lectures on Special Relativity and Cosmology/Astrophysics, and also includes a Research Project. In Special Relativity, you will learn about Einstein's theory of special relativity, relative motion, twin paradox, Doppler shift, Lorentz transformations, spacetime and causality, relativistic momentum, relativistic kinetic energy, and mass as a measure of energy. In Cosmology/Astrophysics, you will learn about cosmological models, the cosmological principle, the Friedmann equations, the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric, cosmological redshift, the cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal history of the Universe, inflation, dark matter and dark energy. The lecture modules will be identical to PHYS2913 Astrophysics and Relativity (Advanced). There is no Experimental Laboratory component for PHYS2923. Instead, students carry out a Research Project with researchers in one of the School's research groups.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Physics Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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75 or above in (PHYS1003 or PHYS1004 or PHYS1902 or PHYS1904) and 75 or above in (PHYS1001 or PHYS1002 or PHYS1901 or PHYS1903 or PHYS2011 or PHYS2911 or PHYS2921) |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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PHYS2013 or PHYS2913 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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(MATH1X21 or MATH1931 or MATH1X01 or MATH1906) and (MATH1X02) and (MATH1X23 or MATH1933 or MATH1X03 or MATH1907) and (MATH1X05) |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the key concepts in special relativity and cosmology
- LO2. apply these concepts to develop models, and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in scientific and engineering contexts, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
- LO3. carry out a research project under supervision
- LO4. find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
- LO5. communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
- LO6. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
