PHY3040 : Stellar Structure and Evolution
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Professor Tamara Rogers
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
This module will cover the essential physics of the internal structure of stars, including the basic equations of stellar structure and the microphysics of the equation of state, opacity and nuclear reactions. We will quantitatively examine how stars evolve prior and subsequent to the main sequence. Observations will be used to motivate what we’re doing and to introduce essential terminology.
Outline Of Syllabus
Observational Framework of Astronomy, Equation of State, Classical Mechanics Applied to Stellar Structure, Additional Equations of State, Energy Transport, Chemical Composition of Stellar Matter, Numerical Computation of Stellar Structure, The Evolution of Stars, from pre to post main Sequence.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Formal Lectures – Present in Person and non-synchronous online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 11:00 | 11:00 | Examination revision |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Completion of coursework |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 60 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 40 | Problem-solving exercises |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The coursework assignment allows the students to develop their problem-solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; this assessment has a secondary formative purpose as well as a primary summative purpose.
In the event of on-campus examinations not being possible, an on-line alternative assessment will be used for written examination 1.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY3040's Timetable