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PHY3307 Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy

Semester 2, 2020 Online
Short Description: Galactic&Extragalactic Astrnmy
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Sciences
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 010303 - Astronomy
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Requisites

Pre-requisite: PHY1104 and PHY1911

Rationale

This course forms a mandatory coursework component for the Bachelor of Science (Astronomical and Space Sciences). The course provides an in-depth investigation into the Milky Way and other galaxies, including an overview of cosmology and the early universe.

Synopsis

This course introduces galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and cosmology. Topics covered in this course include The Milky Way Galaxy, The Nature of Galaxies, Galactic Evolution, The Structure of the Universe, Active Galaxies, Cosmology, and The Early Universe. Additional topics develop scientific skills through the use of assignments. Mt Kent Observatory is also made available via remote access to students enrolled in this course, to provide an opportunity for learning practical skills used in astronomical and space sciences.

Objectives

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Explain key concepts in the study of the Milky Way, other galaxies, and the universe
  2. Evaluate quantitative problems using methods in the study of galaxies
  3. Analyse qualitative and quantitative data in the study of galaxies
  4. Assess and analyse links between relevant observations and physical theory
  5. Critically review and report scientific work relevant to research in the study of galaxies

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Key concepts in galactic and extragalactic astronomy 20.00
2. Quantitative methods in galactic and extragalactic astronomy 12.00
3. The Milky Way Galaxy 12.00
4. The Nature of Galaxies 12.00
5. Galactic Evolution 12.00
6. Active Galaxies 12.00
7. Cosmology and the early universe 20.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=02&subject1=PHY3307)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Carroll, B W. & Ostlie, D A 2017, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, 2nd edn, Cambridge 精东传媒app Press, UK.
(ISBN 978-1-108-422161.)

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Barbara Ryden and Bradley M Peterson 2009, Foundations of Astrophysics, 1st edn, Pearson/Addison Wesley, USA.
(.)
Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit 2016, The Cosmic Perspective, 8th edn, Pearson Education/Addison Wesley-Benjamin Cummings, USA.
(.)

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Assessments 26.00
Directed 精东传媒app 24.00
Online Discussion Groups 24.00
Online Lectures 24.00
Online Tutorials 24.00
Private 精东传媒app 48.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Assignment 1 20 20 14 Jul 2020 (see note 1)
Assignment 2 20 20 14 Jul 2020 (see note 2)
Forum Engagement 10 10 14 Jul 2020 (see note 3)
Take Home Exam 50 50 End S2 (see note 4)

Notes
  1. Assignment due dates will be available during the semester
  2. Assignment due dates will be available during the semester
  3. Assignment due dates will be available during the semester.
  4. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official Alternate Assessment Schedule has been released.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks available.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.

    Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.

    To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are:
    1. writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination);
    2. calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination)
    3. Students may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.


  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.

  8. 精东传媒app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

Evaluation and benchmarking

In meeting the 精东传媒app鈥檚 aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1 onforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2 forms part of the Bachelor of Science (Astronomy and Space Sciences) and will be benchmarked against the professional accreditation standards of the Australian Institute of Physics.

Date printed 6 November 2020