See https://www.anu.edu.au/covid-19-advice. In Sem 1 2022, this course is delivered on campus with adjustments for remote participants.
This course provides an introduction to stellar structure, evolution, and atmospheres. It covers the basic physical processes that govern the behaviour of stars, including hydrostatic equilibrium, thermal balance, nuclear energy generation, and radiation transport, the application of these principles to modeling the life cycle of stars from birth to the main sequence to death, and the development of tools to deduce stars' physical properties from the light they emit.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the concepts of hydrostatic balance, equations of state for stellar matter, transfer of heat through stars, stellar nucleosynthesis, and radiation transport, and perform calculations using these concepts;
- Calculate the internal structures of stars at a variety of levels of approximation;
- Describe the life cycles of stars from birth to death, and how these cycles depend on stellar mass;
- Explain the basic theory of stellar spectra, and use this theory to interpret the observed spectra of stars;
- Work effectively as part of a group;
- Read, interpret, and critically analyse professional research literature in the areas of stars;
- Identify unsolved problems in stars, and propose research approaches that could be used to address them.
Indicative Assessment
- 6 problem sets (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Critical reflection on research literature, delivered in written and oral form (20) [LO 6,7]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 hours of lectures (1x2 hour lecture plus 1x1 hour lecture) and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week
- Approximately 96 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks (average 5 hours per week of problem sets and 3 hours per week of work on the literature analysis).
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Understanding Stellar Evolution, by H. Lamers and E. LevesqueRadiative Transfer in Stellar Atmospheres, by R. Rutten
Assumed Knowledge
Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a major in astronomy, physics, or mathematics with relevant experience or academic achievement. Students should have basic familiarity with computer programming.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3108 | 21 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2022 | 31 Mar 2022 | 27 May 2022 | In Person | N/A |
