Galaxies and Cosmology

Code:

AST341

Acronym:

AST341

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2013/2014 - 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	13	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:B	0	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	3	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:G	0	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	4	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.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that students acquire a relatively deep knowledge on the universe and its large scale constituents, and on the characteristics and physical processes governing the evolution of galaxies and extragalactic structures, It is further expected that students develop skills of comprehension of scientific studies and critical thinking about the results presented.

Working method

Presencial

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

Mandatory literature

Carroll Bradley W.; An introduction to modern astrophysics. ISBN: 0-201-54730-9
B.W. Carrol, D.A. Ostlie; An Introduction to Modern Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology, Addison-Wesley
Jones Mark H. 340; An introduction to galaxies and cosmology. ISBN: 0-521-54623-0
Sparke Linda S.; Galaxies in the universe. ISBN: 0-521-59740-4

Complementary Bibliography

Karttunen H. (Hannu) 340; Fundamental astronomy. ISBN: 9783540341437
Liddle Andrew; An introduction to modern cosmology. ISBN: 0-470-84835-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classroom theory - exposing the syllabus aided by powerpoints and indication of bibliography for each subject - and solving of exercises. Each student will be assigned a small bibliographic research work - it is intended that the student makes an analysis of a plot/image to be presented in the framework of a theme that is taught during classes, understand and present it to the other students and teacher and thus open a discussion on it. The graph/image will be assigned 1 week prior to the presentation. The succession of assignments will be done in alphabetical order by first name of students.

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	95,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Prova oral	5,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment in the discipline of Galaxies and Cosmology is composed of a final exam, which contributes with a weight of 95 percent for the final classification, and the oral presentation of a small assignment that contributes with 5 percent to the final grade.

The final classification is thus obtained as follows: Nf = 0.95*Ex+Ap1 where Nf is the final grade (not less than 10 values), Ex is the exam grade (rated 0-20), Ap is the assignement (rated 0-1 value).

The exam addresses the two major themes of the course (Galaxies and Cosmology) in relative proportions of 60% and 40%, the same being reflected in the overall grade.

Alternatively to the exam, students can do the discipline by tests, which will take place along the semester: one test on galaxies, taking place just over half of the semester, the second dealing with cosmology, after the end of the classes. The grades of tests and contribution to the final grade are the same as the two parts of the exam: 60% for the first test (galaxies) and 40% for the second (cosmology).

Finally, students can also make one module (galaxies or cosmology) by test and the other in the exam.

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 (and only in the "recurso" season of exams and, if they wish, in one of the modules only - galaxies or cosmology). Contributions to the final grade remain the same as described previously.

For students who have taken the discipline in the academic year 2012/2013, the improvement is made only by examination - rated 0 to 20 values, the final grade will be that of the exam.