Galaxies and Cosmology

Code:

AST341

Acronym:

AST341

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Astronomy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	11	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:B	2	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:CC	0	Plano de estudos de 2008 até 2013/14	3	-	7,5	-
L:F	1	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:G	1	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
L:M	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	7,5	-
L:Q	0	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Develop students' interest in studying the characteristics and phenomena associated with galaxies, like the one we inhabit, as well as other structures and the extragalactic Universe at large, including the discussion of recent results and open problems.

Program

I. Concepts and definitions
II. Historical background of Galactic and extragalactic astronomy
III. The Galaxy
Overview
The disk, central region and halo
The center of the Galaxy
Methods of measuring distances
Dynamics and mass distribution
Galaxy formation and evolution
IV. Extragalactic astronomy
The Local Group
Morphological classification of galaxies and associated properties
Internal structure and constituent elements
Properties of the interstellar medium and extinction
Light profiles
Dynamics and distribution of mass in galaxies
Formation of spiral arms and bars
Luminosity functions
Methods of measuring distances and the expansion of the Universe
The spatial distribution of galaxies
Groups, clusters and superclusters of galaxies
Interactions between galaxies
Active galaxies
Galactic formation and evolution
V. Cosmology
Historical Introduction
The Cosmological Principle
Newtonian cosmology
Relativistic Cosmology
Observational Cosmology
The Primordial Universe
The cosmic microwave background
Formation and evolution of large-scale structures

Mandatory literature

B.W. Carrol, D.A. Ostlie; An Introduction to Modern Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology, Addison-Wesley
L.S. Sparke, J.S. Gallagher; Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press
M.H. Jones, R.J. Lambourne; An Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology, Cambridge University Press

Complementary Bibliography

H. Karttunen et al.; Fundamental Astronomy, Springer
A. Liddle; An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, Wiley

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classroom theory - exposing the syllabus aided by powerpoints and indication of bibliography for each subject - and solving of exercises.
Allocation of a scientific paper to each student for their analysis, understanding and exposure to peers and teachers.

keywords

Physical sciences > Astronomy > Astrophysics
Physical sciences > Astronomy > Cosmology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	75,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

In the final exam students are required to obtain a minimum score of 8 / 20.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment in the discipline of Galaxies and Cosmology is composed of a test or final exam, which contributes with a weight of 80 percent for the final classification, and the oral presentation of a publication of literature that contributes with 20 percent to the final score . The final classification is thus obtained as follows:

Nf = 0.8 * Ex +0.2*Tr

where Nf is the final score (not less than 10 values), Ex is the exam grade (rated 0-20, required to be no less than 8 values), Tr is the practical work (rated 0-20).

Classification improvement

For students who are attending the course, the improvement of classification is likely to be made only on the component of the written exam.
For students who have taken the discipline in the academic year 2010/2011, the improvement is made only by examination - rated 0 to 20 values, with a final score that is obtained as above - unless, in due time, they express willingness to perform a new practical work under the same conditions as their colleagues that are attending the discipline for the first time. In this case, the final grade is calculated as indicated in the "Calculation of the final. "