This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module PHYS51545: Astrophysics
Department: Physics
PHYS51545: Astrophysics
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 5 | 45 | Available in 2025/2026 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- G5K609: Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (see Postgraduate Handbook 2022-2023 for details)
Pre-requisites
Corequisites
- PHYS51915 Core Ia: Introduction to Machine Learning and Statistics and PHYS52015 Core Ib: Introduction to Scientific and High-performance Computing
Excluded Combinations
Aims
- Introduction to the basic research skills needed by postgraduate research students; develop general background.
Content
- This module teaches you state-of-the-art research and science across a broad range of astrophysics, from stellar populations to galaxy formation and high-energy astrophysics.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Basic computing, accessing databases, scripts, presentation skills, specific research background.
Subject-specific Skills
- Basic computing
Key Skills
- Presentation skills
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stellar structure and evolution | 4 | 1 per week | 60 minutes | 4 | |
| Stellar Populations | 4 | 1 per week | 60 minutes | 4 | |
| AGN and black holes | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Cosmology | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Galaxy Formation | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| The Intergalactic Medium and the Interstellar Medium | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| The Milky Way | 4 | 1 per week | 60 minutes | 4 | |
| Large-scale structure | 6 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Clusters and Groups of Galaxies | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Gravitational lensing | 4 | 1 per week | 60 minutes | 4 | |
| The high-z universe | 4 | 1 per week | 60 minutes | 4 | |
| Instrumentation in astronomy | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Stellar dynamics | 8 | 2 per week | 60 minutes | 8 | |
| Cosmological simulations | 12 | 3 per week | 60 minutes | 12 | |
| Self-study and reading | 354 | ||||
| Total | 450 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% | Coursework 1 | 25% | ||
| Coursework 2 | 25% | ||||
| Coursework 3 | 25% | ||||
| Coursework 4 | 25% |
Formative Assessment
Through unmarked homework and feedback on the coursework
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.