Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code PHYS4656
Date2024/10/11 19:24
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS4656 Advanced astrophysics (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof S C Y Ng, Physics < ncy@astro.physics.hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof S C Y Ng,Physics)
Course Objectives Built on PHYS3653, this course covers selected astrophysics topics at the advanced undergraduate level.  Foci include high energy processes, basic theory of stellar structure and evolution, and introduction to compact objects.  It follows a vigorous mathematical treatment that stresses on the underlying physical processes.  This is an elective course for the astrophysics theme.  This is also an essential course for those who plan to pursue postgraduate studies in astrophysics.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: Radiation mechanisms; stellar structure equations; polytropic model;  elementary stellar radiation processes; simple stellar nuclear processes; stellar formation; late stage of stellar evolution; supernova explosion; compact stellar; cosmic rays; numerical solving of stellar structure equation; if time permits, additional selected topics will be covered.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe what is stars and to classify different types of stars
CLO 2 analytically calculate and solve problems related to the structure and evolution of stars including the use of stellar structure equations and Saha equations
CLO 3 critically examine the physical processes occurring in stars and how these processes affect the evolution of stars
CLO 4 apply physics principles to describe the physical properties of various astrophysical systems
CLO 5 demonstrate knowledge and discuss the underlying physical concepts associated with the astrophysical systems and their dynamic interactive processes
CLO 6 assess selected research papers in the field of stellar astrophysics
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS3651 or PHYS3653 or (PHYS3351 and PHYS3450)
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 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 )
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 )
Course to PLO Mapping 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 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2025 - 2026 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 10 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Project reports 10 CLO 1,2,3,4,5,6
Test 30 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
Prialnik, D.: An introduction to the theory of stellar structure and evolution, 2nd ed. (CUP, 2010)
Longair, M. S.: High Energy Astrophysics, 3rd ed (CUP, 2011)
LeBlanc, F.: An Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics (Wiley, 2010)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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