Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS4651
Date2023/09/24 21:26
Enquiry for Course Details
   <<< This course is not offered in 2023 - 2024. Course details are subject to change. >>>
PHYS4651 Selected topics in astrophysics (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
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 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 with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 8
Lectures 36
Tutorials 8
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 8 CLO 1,2,3
Examination 50 CLO 1,2,3
Laboratory reports 7 CLO 1,2,3
Presentation 15 CLO 1,2,3
Test 20 CLO 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
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