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Unit of study_
PHYS4122: Astrophysics and Space Science
2025 unit information
Modern astrophysics covers a vast range of scales, from processes within the Solar System which allow for direct testing, to processes that take place in distant places and times, such as the formation of galaxies. Nonetheless, the same physics underpins all of these situations: the plasma of the solar system meets the interstellar medium, which provides the building blocks for galaxies. This unit provides an advanced-level treatment of three major topics in astrophysics: the formation and evolution of galaxies, the structure and morphology of galaxies, and the physics of plasma in our Solar System. You will learn about the behaviour of gas and plasma throughout the Universe, and their effect on phenomena from galaxy structure to space weather. By doing this unit, you will learn how to synthesise your knowledge of physical concepts and processes, and how these concepts and techniques are used to solve modern research problems.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Physics Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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An average of at least 65 in 144 credit points of units |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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A major in physics |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate understanding of the physics underlying astrophysical situations, and use these concepts to describe the system under consideration.
- LO2. Synthesise knowledge from the undergraduate syllabus and apply physics knowledge and mathematical skills to solve astrophysical problems.
- LO3. Evaluate different theoretical models applying to a system and assess the applicability of these models.
- LO4. Analyse astrophysical observations and numerical simulations to construct a physical model for an astrophysical system.
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 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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