Module Details |
| The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
| Title | PHYSICS OF GALAXIES | ||
| Code | PHYS373 | ||
| Coordinator |
Dr M Martig Physics M.Martig@liverpool.ac.uk |
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| Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
| Session 2021-22 | Level 6 FHEQ | First Semester | 15 |
Aims |
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To provide students with a broad overview of these complex yet fundamental systems which interact at one end with the physics of stars and the interstellar medium and at the other with cosmology and the nature of large-scale structures in the Universe; to develop in students an understanding of how the various distinct components in galaxies evolve and interact. |
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Learning Outcomes |
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(LO1) Interpret physically the properties of normal galaxies along the Hubble sequence |
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(LO2) Account for the stellar, gas, dust and dark matter content of galaxies |
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(LO3) Describe the formation and evolution of galaxies in a cosmological context. |
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(LO4) Analyze the structure and dynamics of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, using advanced classical mechanics and Newtonian gravity. |
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(LO5) Apply fundamental physics to calculate the dynamical state of groups and clusters of galaxies, their intracluster gas, and their dark matter content. |
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(LO6) Describe large-scale structure in the Universe, the nature of the first galaxies, and their implications for dark matter and cosmology. |
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(S1) Organisational skills |
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(S2) Problem solving skills |
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(S3) Communication skills |
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Syllabus |
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Interpretation of galaxy spectra and colours (isochrones, initial mass function, single stellar populations and how they evolve with time, radial velocity and velocity dispersion). Photometry: surface brightness and isophotes, light profiles of different galaxy types, colour bimodality and correlations with other properties. Luminosity functions. Stellar dynamics, circular velocity and rotation curves of disk galaxies. Virial theorem and mass determination of spherical systems. Structure and content of the interstellar medium. Star formation: stability of gas clouds (free-fall time, Jeans mass, Toomre criterion). Structure and kinematics of disc galaxies: bulges, bars, spirals, thin and thick discs. Metals in galaxies: life- cycle of metals in the interstellar medium, nucleosynthesis channels, chemical evolution models. Elliptical galaxies: morphology and kinematics. Galaxy clusters (hot gas, cD galaxies) and properties of galaxies in clusters. Galaxies at high redshift: observing high redshift galaxies. |
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Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial |
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Teaching Schedule |
| Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
| Study Hours |
4 |
36 |
40 | ||||
| Timetable (if known) | |||||||
| Private Study | 110 | ||||||
| TOTAL HOURS | 150 | ||||||
Assessment |
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| EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 | 150 minutes | 80 | ||||
| CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| 3 problem sets Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. | 20 | |||||
Recommended Texts |
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| Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. | |