2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3281 Star and Planet Formation

15 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Prof Rene Oudmaijer
Email: r.d.oudmaijer@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PHYS 3280 Star and Planet Formation

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

By the end of this module students should be able to:

- describe the sites of star formation;
- explain the physical processes occurring during the collapse of a gas cloud to form a star;
- recognise and describe the observational evidence for disks, jets and outflows from young stars;
- elucidate the routes to planet formation from circumstellar disks;
- appraise the limits of current knowledge in this field.

Learning outcomes
Make effective use of physics skills and knowledge to applications in Astrophysics.

Skills outcomes
The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.

Syllabus

I. SITES OF STAR FORMATION: the interstellar medium, molecular clouds, interstellar dust.
II. GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE: cloud equilibrium and stability, the collapse of dense cloud cores, fragmentation, protostars, accretion disks.
III. FEEDBACK: jets, molecular outflows, HII regions, triggered star formation.
IV. PLANET FORMATION: protoplanetary discs, disc evolution, the formation of the solar system, models of planet formation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	33	1.00	33.00
Private study hours			117.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Reading/Practice Problems/Practice Derivations

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Unseen exam

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 15/03/2018

Disclaimer

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