Galaxies

Code:

AST2002

Acronym:

AST2002

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	56	162
L:M	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	56	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Develop students' interest in studying the characteristics and phenomena associated with galaxies, like the one we inhabit, as well as with other extragalactic structures, 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.

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

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classroom theory - exposing the syllabus aided by powerpoints and indication of bibliography for each subject - and solving of exercises.

keywords

Physical sciences > Astronomy > Astrophysics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment in the discipline of Galaxies is composed of a final exam, which contributes with a weight of 50% for the final classification, and the  presentation of an assignment that contributes with 50% to the final grade.

Alternatively to the exam, students can do a test, to be scheduled at the beginning of the semester. The contribution of the grade of the test to the final grade is the same as the one of the exam.

It is required a minimum score of 3 values (that is, 3 over 10 values of the final grade) in the test or exam.

Classification improvement

Improvement of classification can only be done by exam in the "recurso" season of exams. The contribution to the final grade is maintained (50%).