Code: | AST2003 | Acronym: | AST2003 |
Keywords | |
---|---|
Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Astronomy |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Department of Physics and Astronomy |
Course/CS Responsible: | Bachelor in Physics |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L:F | 27 | Official Study Plan | 2 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
The course aims at providing the fundamental competencies for stellar astrophysics, both in terms of concepts such as physical tools/mathematical descriptui relevant for astronomy. With this training we seek to ensure that the student acquires the ability to understand what a star is and how to use observational data to study the fundamental physics that drive the behavior of the stars. The approach is at an intermediate level, covering the clarification and analysis of concepts, but also giving some emphasis on the formal terms in how these are described. The aim is to develop an understanding of relevant global concepts in stellar astronomy and to build the ability to relate them, including in particular, the description of concepts and physical phenomena that occur inside stars and atmospheres and those that are relevant to describe star formation.
The first part of the program is organized to ensure that the fundamental physical concepts are reviewed and discussed at the beginning of the course in order to support the other chapters that focus on the study of stars. After the discussion and the introductory concepts, a detailed discussion of how radiation reaches us after being emitted by the star is covered. This includes an in-depth study of the emission and transfer of radiation on its path between the interior of the star and the detector. It is expected that the student understands the effects of ionization and excitation, producing the observed stellar spectrum, and how the observed information can be used to characterize the atmosphere of the star. Then the course also addresses the physics of the interior, the underling conditions in the interior and the implications for the study of stars being observed. The program ends with a discussion of how evolution (in time) changes the structure of the star, from its initial formation to the final stages of evolution.
The course is organized using the lectures to present the material, predominantly using the blackboard to allow the student to follow the construction of the mathematical description for all physical phenomena, in the various items of the program. A component using video projector is also implemented, but more sporadic, in order to consolidate the contents and strengthen the interpretation by discussing the contents being covered in the light of the available observations. In the tutorial classes the student works on the resolution of exercises and on the discussion of representative examples (mainly on how concepts and data are effectively used in the study of specific stars and phenomena).
The methodology aims mainly at strengthening the capacity of interpretation and active use of the concepts being discussed. This is done by ensuring that the student participates actively in the classes (theoretical and tutorial). In order to support this active participation (avoiding that the student uses the class only as an opportunity to collect information), the student is given in advance the support material through Aulas-na-Web (Moodle). Lecturer notes are made available (detailed record of what is covered in the lectures), to allow the student to prepare the lectures and to use the time to complement the notes and to clarify the points that may raise doubts/questions. Together with the lecturer notes, the student also has access to copies of the slides to be presented in class. All this material is available in Aulas-na-Web, along with additional material (including articles, links to material of other relevant courses available in the Internet, useful webpages for specific items of the program, etc.).
With this approach for the teaching methods, we aim at strengthening the component of interpretation, by reducing the weight of the component on memorizing. Note also that during the assessment actions, the student is allowed to use any material (both for the test and exam), in order to put up more emphasis on understanding and use of concepts, than on reproducing information.
In support of the theoretical and practical classes there is an extensive list of exercises, organized by theme, supporting the tutorials and to help the students to develop individual work. Classes are organized based on the suggestion of exercises to work by the lecturer and in exercises requested by the students. All exams from previous academic years are available in Aulas-na-Web to encourage the student to prepare the theoretical and practical classes and to take advantage of the individual study time to overcome any shortfalls in the understanding and use of the concepts and tools discussed in course.
designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 60,00 |
Participação presencial | 5,00 |
Trabalho escrito | 35,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
designation | Time (hours) |
---|---|
Estudo autónomo | 80,00 |
Frequência das aulas | 56,00 |
Trabalho escrito | 26,00 |
Total: | 162,00 |
The student has frequency in the curricular unit if he/she misses no more than 1/3 of the planned classes (T and TP).
Continuous evaluation with the revision of the contents (done through Perusall) and the active participation in the lectures (questions, answers, discussion of specific topics, resolution of problems).
The full evaluation includes the continuous evaluation and the final exam. A minimum of 20% (out of 60%) is the exam is required in order to be approved in this course unit.
Access to support material is allowed during the exam (but it can not be shared between students).
It is possible to improve the grade, but only for the exam component.
The jury of the curricular unit includes:
- Mário João P. F. G. Monteiro
- Jorge Filipe S. Gameiro