Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS3651
Date2023/09/24 21:10
Enquiry for Course Details
   <<< This course is not offered in 2023 - 2024. Course details are subject to change. >>>
PHYS3651 The physical universe (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr K M Lee, Physics < kmlee@lily.physics.hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr K M Lee,Physics)
Course Objectives To introduce basic physical principles of astronomy and build a foundation in modern astrophysics.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: the sky and celestial coordinates, spherical geometry, optics and telescopes, basic celestial mechanics, two-body problem, radiative transfer, and blackbody radiation.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 calculate the transformation between different celestial coordinate systems
CLO 2 describe the formation of spectral lines and basic structures of telescopes
CLO 3 derive the orbits in two body problem from first principle
CLO 4 recall the radiative transfer equation
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS1650 and (PHYS2250 or PHYS2265)
Course to PLO Mapping
Offer in 2023 - 2024 N        To be confirmed Examination To be confirmed
Offer in 2024 - 2025 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-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30 CLO 1,2,3,4
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3,4
Test 20 CLO 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, 2nd ed. (Pearson, 2007)
George B. Rybicki and Alan P. Lightman, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics (Wiley-Interscience, 1985)
Frank H. Shu, The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy (University Science Books, 1982)
A. C. Phillips, The Physics of Stars (John Wiley & Sons, 1999)
F. Mandl, Statistical Physics, 2nd ed. (John Wiley & Sons, 1988)
Course Website http://www.physics.hku.hk/~phys3651/
Additional Course Information NIL
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