| Academic Year |
2025 |
| Offering Department |
Physics |
Quota |
---
|
| Course Co-ordinator |
Prof K S Cheng, Physics < hrspksc@hku.hk > |
| Teachers Involved |
(Prof K S Cheng,Physics) |
| Course Objectives |
To introduce students some current topics in astrophysics. It may be taken as a self-contained course or as background to research work in astrophysics. |
| Course Contents & Topics |
Topics include: Brief review of thermodynamical equilibrium, radiation mechanisms and general relativity. Physics of shock wave. Properties of Cosmic rays. Physics of compact stellar objects including black holes, white dwarfs, neutron stars and quark stars. Elements of cosmology: classical and relativistic dynamical theories, observational parameters. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
| CLO 1 |
apply physics principles to describe the physical properties of various astrophysical systems |
| CLO 2 |
explain the observed phenomena of some selected astrophysical objects |
| CLO 3 |
demonstrate knowledge and discuss the underlying physical concepts associated with the astrophysical systems and their dynamic interactive processes |
|
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations) |
Pass in PHYS3351 or PHYS3450 or PHYS3550 or PHYS3651 |
| Course to PLO Mapping |
|
| Offer in 2025 - 2026 |
N
|
Examination |
|
| Offer in 2026 - 2027 |
N |
| 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 with laboratory component course |
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities |
| Activities |
Details |
No. of Hours |
| Laboratory |
|
8.0 |
| Lectures |
|
36.0 |
| Tutorials |
|
8.0 |
| Reading / Self study |
|
80.0 |
|
Assessment Methods
and Weighting |
| Methods |
Details |
Weighting in final
course grade (%) |
Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping |
| Assignments |
|
8.0 |
1,2,3 |
| Examination |
|
50.0 |
1,2,3 |
| Laboratory reports |
|
7.0 |
1,2,3 |
| Presentation |
|
15.0 |
1,2,3 |
| Test |
|
20.0 |
1,2,3 |
|
Required/recommended reading
and online materials |
Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
S. L. Shapiro and S. A. Teukolsky: Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars (John Wiley, 1983)
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 |