Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS3653
Date2023/09/24 23:01
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS3653 Astrophysics (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr L X Dai, Physics < lixindai@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr L X Dai,Physics)
Course Objectives This course is a beginner course in astrophysics - we will introduce the most basic and direct connection between astronomy and physics, which will help you gain a better understanding of various astronomical objects and phenomena from first principles. This course will also aim to develop skills in approaching problems in astrophysics, which will set the stage for taking more advanced astrophysics courses and conducting scientific research.
It is one of the core electives for astronomy minor and an elective course for the astrophysics theme.  Upon completion, interested student may take PHYS4653 and PHYS4656 to further their studies in theoretical astrophysics.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: gravity, binary systems, N-body problem; hydrostatic equilibrium; radiative processes (blackbody radiation, emission, absorption, opacity); atomic structure and spectral lines; order-of-the-magnitude calculations in astrophysics and other selected topics
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe the fundamental physics underlying a wide range of astronomical phenomena
CLO 2 apply the physical formulae learnt through the course to study astrophysical problems and perform calculations
CLO 3 develop skills to simplify, analyze and solve problems in astrophysics
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS2250 or PHYS2265 or PHYS2650
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 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
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
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3
Test 20 CLO 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, by Bradley Carroll & Dale A. Ostlie
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
Back  /  Home