AST1100 – Introduction to astrophysics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
An introduction to a range of astrophysical topics with an emphasis on the physical processes involved. Examples of such topics are the discovery of planets and the possibility of life around other stars, stellar formation and structure, supernovae, galactic dynamics and dark matter, theory of relativity and black holes, cosmology and dark energy.
Learning outcome
You will gain an understanding of the sorts of problems that astrophysicists are concerned with and the mathematical and numerical methods that are used in solving these problems. Additionally, the course provides an overview of the modern theories of the universe.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
-
Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
2 semesters of the Fysikk, astronomi og meteorologi (bachelor) (continued) programme. It will require considerable extra effort to complete the course without the necessary prerequisites in mathematics, physics and programming.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with AST2000 – Introduction to Astrophysics
Teaching
4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials each week.
There will be two hours twice a week (two groups) with tutorials. You should choose one of these groups. The first group will do two hours of calculation exercises using computers. The second group will do one hour of plenary exercises and one hour of calculation exercises without a computer. The first group doing calculation exercises using computers is limited by the capacity of the room, while the second group will be open to all.
Examination
Students can choose between two forms of assessment.
Assessment 1
For this assessment the final grade is based on a combination of a home exam consisting in a set of exercises to be handed in (comprising roughly 30% of the final grade), as well as a midterm examination (also comprising roughly 30%) and a final 4 hour written examination (comprising roughly 40%). In this case, the final grade is determined by an overall assessment of the results of the three exams.
Assessment 2
For this assessment the student will prepare a major project, combined with a written report and possibly followed by an oral presentation. The topics covered and tested in the project will be equivalent to those otherwise tested through the home exam and midterm exam and will therefore comprise roughly 60% of the final grade. Additionally, there will be a final 4 hour written examination which will comprise 40% of the final grade. In this case, the final grade is determined by an overall assessment of the results from the project and the final exam.
Examination support material
Angel/?grim og Lian: Fysiske st?rrelser og enheter
Rottman: Matematisk formelsamling
Calculator (approved type)
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.