Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code PHYS3652
Date2024/11/12 16:38
Enquiry for Course Details
   <<< This course is not offered in 2024 - 2025. Course details are subject to change. >>>
PHYS3652 Principles of astronomy (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr L X Dai, Physics < lixindai@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr L X Dai,Physics)
Course Objectives To introduce or review a number of basic physical principles, and explain how these principles are applied in astronomy to gain knowledge of the Universe.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: special relativity, Doppler effect; interaction of light and matter, spectral lines; single-dish telescopes and interferometers; binary stars and stellar parameters, exoplanets; classification of stellar spectra.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe and explain the physical principles discussed
CLO 2 associate the correct physical principles with the observed properties of certain astronomical objects
CLO 3 apply their understanding of the physical principle discussed to explain or compute the observed properties of select astronomical objects
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)
Pass in PHYS1650 and (PHYS2250 or PHYS2265)
Course to PLO Mapping
Offer in 2024 - 2025 N        Examination
Offer in 2025 - 2026 N
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery of the knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities, clear logical thinking, evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar, and unfamiliar situations using highly effective organizational and presentation skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of the knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities, reasoned 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, 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 35 CLO 1,2,3
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3
Test 15 CLO 2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials
Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
B. W. Carroll & D. A. Ostlie: An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (Addison-Wesley Publishing  Company, 2007, 2nd edition)
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL
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