Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
PHYS2650 Modern astronomy (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof B Zhang, Physics < bzhang1@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof B Zhang,Physics)
Course Objectives This is an intermediate astronomy course for students in all disciplines and all years, it also is the second course in our series of two compulsory courses to introduce basic astronomy knowledge, methods, and recent advances for astronomy minors.  This course takes you from the beginnings to the forefronts of contemporary astronomical research - a journey from the Solar System to the Big Bang - with an emphasis on the most important methodologies and discoveries in astronomy.  Advanced physical concepts are explained with a minimum of mathematics: you will only be required to know and manipulate simple algebra.   This primary aim of this course is to take students to the cutting-edge of contemporary astronomy.  After completing this course, interested students may take PHYS3650, PHYS3653 and/or PHYS3660, which are core or discipline elective courses for astronomy minor and astrophysics theme of physics major.
Course Contents & Topics Scale of the Solar and Exo-planetary Systems, Astrometry and Scale of the Galaxy, Scale of the Universe, Stellar Evolution, The Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies, Expansion and Accelerated Expansion of the Universe, Hubble Parameter, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, Cosmology
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 explain the principles and applications of telescopes, modern measurement systems, and techniques for determining the distances to celestial objects within and beyond the Solar System
CLO 2 describe the structure, composition, and life cycles of stars
CLO 3 discuss the structure and components of the Milky Way, the discovery and properties of other galaxies, and the evolution of galaxies from the early universe to the present day
CLO 4 describe the importance of precise measurements of the Hubble parameter
CLO 5 explain why Dark Matter and Dark Energy is required to explain astronomical observations
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS1650
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 80.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30.0 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 2-hour written exam 50.0 1,2,3,4,5
Test 20.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
OpenStax/Astronomy
B. W. Carroll & D. A. Ostlie: An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 2007, 2nd edition)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL


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