Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Extargalactic Astrophysics & Cosmology
Module Code	PS405
School	School of Physical Sciences
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This course provides the student with a background in modern cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. It discusses, at a fairly introductory level, the structure and formation of galaxies, clusters and large scale structure in an expanding Universe dominated by dark matter and dark energy. After an overview of the observed properties of galaxies, clusters, and the large scale structure of the Universe, the course presents a physical description of our current understanding of structure formation in an expanding Universe. Topics include dark matter, cosmic microwave background, inflation and nuclearsynthesis in the early Universe.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline and discuss the structure and kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy, know properties of supermassive black holes and Sgr A*
2. Understand the formation and merger of galaxies and be able to compare different types of Galaxies
3. Describe categories of active galaxies and models for emission properties
4. Discuss the contents, history and origin of the Universe, know the relation between the contents of the Universe and its evolution.
5. Discuss Inflation and Nuclearsynthesis in the very early Universe, formation of structure.
6. Understand the origin of the cosmic microwave background.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	2 lectures per week
Tutorial	6	tutorial every second week
Independent learning	80	studying lecture material, solving numerical problems and doing background reading
Total Workload: 110

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus..
1) Structure and kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy. 2) Properties of supermassive black holes and Sgr A*. 3) The types of galaxies, Hubble sequence. 4) Fundamental relations: Tully-Fisher, Faber-Jackson, Fundamental Plane, luminosity function. 5) Formation and merger of galaxies. 6) The extragalactic distance scale. 7) Categories of active galaxies and models for emission properties. 8) Galaxy cluster properties. 9) The contents, history and origin of the Universe. 10) Relation between the contents of the Universe and its evolution. 11) Dark matter. 12) The Cosmic microwave background13) Inflation and the very early Universe.14) Nuclearsynthesis and the early Universe.15) The formation of structure.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Report (s) (written / oral)	Solving numerical problems as a homework, reports on given topics.	30%	As required

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List