2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3002 Advanced Techniques in Astrophysics

30 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Gavin Burnell
Email: G.Burnell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHYS3001	Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics
PHYS3003	Advanced Techniques in Theoretical Physics
PHYS3004	Advanced Techniques in Physics (Joint Honours)
PHYS3152	Project
PHYS3160	Physics Project (Jh)

Module replaces

This would replace PHYS3777 on the above programmes.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The ability to apply physical understanding and higher level problem solving skills to the processes in designing and carrying out experimental studies is essential for both higher level academic study in applied and experimental sciences and to many professional careers for astrophysicists. This module forms the bridge between the first and second year laboratory physics and astrophysics courses and the research focussed, open-ended projects of the 4th year Astrophysics programmes. In this module, students carry out extended, open-ended studies using techniques common place in the Astrophysics research group’s research programmes to hone skills in data handling and analysis. An optional opportunity for observational fieldwork will be provided where feasible.

Objectives

This module will give the students and increased awareness of skills required in preparing, conducting, analysing and interpreting of a wide range of advanced astronomical observational techniques and data sets through the use of appropriate measurement, data analysis and statistical approaches and to communicate and defend their work in a variety of professional contexts.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Perform or evaluate advanced astrophysical experiments using high-tech experimental and analytical techniques.
2. Explain and apply a range of experimental, statistical and computational analytical techniques to data.
3. Develop problem solving skills and practical approaches to troubleshooting calculations and simulations and time management, planning and delivering work to deadlines.
4. Deliver presentations including scientific concepts, results and methodology s and answer related questions.
5. Present scientific concepts, results and methodology in extended formal scientific English with illustrations and figures and references to literature sources as necessary
6. Communicate complex concepts succinctly and coherently, defend results and methodology and answer related questions in one-to-one situations.

Syllabus

Each student undertakes 3 "mini-projects" of 3 weeks from a list of appropriate techniques to astrophysics. When available, students may choose to substitute one mini-poroject studied during semester time with an approved fieldwork experiment normally taken prior to semester 1.
The list of potential projects reflects the research activity in the Astrophysics Research Group in the School of Physics and Astronomy, a typical list would include the following: Nebular Spectroscopy, Stellar Clusters, Radio Interferometry.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	2.00	8.00
Practical	2	48.00	144.00
Private study hours			148.00
Total Contact hours			152.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Regular meetings with mini-project supervisors and demonstrators and discussion of interim results.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Formal Report	25.00
Presentation	Presentations	15.00
Practical	Mini-projects	45.00
Viva	Viva	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students must submit a serious attempt at all assessments, in order to pass the module overall.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:13

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