Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
PHYS4653 Selected topics in astrophysics and cosmology (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof L X Dai, Physics < lixindai@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof L X Dai,Physics)
Course Objectives The aim of the course is to offer an advanced introduction to cosmology as well as some current topics in astrophysics.  It may be taken as a self-contained course or as background to research work in astrophysics or cosmology.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: 1) astrophysics: radiation mechanisms in astrophysics, review and applications of general relativity, physics of astrophysical black hole systems; 2) cosmology: the big bang and expansion of the universe, the metric of the universe, galaxy structure and formation; cosmic microwave background; 3) recent hot topics in astrophysics and cosmology research.
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 and observational aspects of cosmology
CLO 2 explain the observed phenomena of cosmology and some selected astrophysical objects
CLO 3 demonstrate knowledge and discuss the underlying physical concepts associated with some astrophysical systems and the cosmological evolution of the universe
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS3653 or (PHYS2055 and PHYS2650 and PHYS3450)
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
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 )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
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 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 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 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 80.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 30.0 1,2,3
Examination 2-hour written exam 50.0 1,2,3
Test 20.0 1,2,3
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)
G. B. Rybicki & A.P. Lightman: Radiative Processes in Astrophysics (Wiley-VCH, 1985)
M. Lachieze-Rey: Cosmology: A First Course (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1995)
S. L. Shapiro and S. A. Teukolsky: Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars (John Wiley, 1983)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL


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