Undergraduate Course: Nuclear Astrophysics (PHYS11053)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This is an advanced course in Nuclear Astrophysics that allows for an extended and more in-depth presentation of Nuclear Astrophysics as a subject in its own right that often drives major scientific and technological advances in modern day research both in nuclear physics and astrophysics.
The course will provide an option for choice of specialized topics within Nuclear Physics (but also Astrophysics). It will also provide an added layer of complexity to the existing Nuclear Physics course and is an optional course at the interface of Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics with the potential to attract students from both the Physics and Astrophysics degree programmes. It provides a more sound knowledge-base both in NP and NA; and a better balance of Nuclear Physics options within the School. |
| Course description |
Aspects of Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics:
* Solar System abundances;
* HR diagram;
* Stellar evolution of single stars;
* Binary stellar systems;
* Review of nuclear properties (masses, binding energies,shell structure);
* Overview of nuclear reactions.
Thermonuclear Reactions in Stars:
* Cross sections and astrophysical S-factor;
* Resonant and non-resonant reactions;
* Reactions with charged particles;
* Reactions with neutron;
* Reactions with photons;
* Electron screening;
* Reaction rates.
Nucleosynthesis:
* Hydrogen burning (pp chain and CNO cycle);
* Helium burning;
* Advanced burning stages (carbon-, neon-, oxygen-, and silicon-burning modes);
* The s-process;
* The r-process;
* Other nucleosynthesis processes (rp-process, p-process);
* Explosive nucleosynthesis.
Nuclear Physics Experiments:
* General aspects and Equipment;
* Experiments with stable nuclei;
* Experiments with unstable nuclei;
* Targets and related equipment;
* Detectors and techniques;
* Yields and cross sections;
* Recent experimental results.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | It is RECOMMENDED that students also take
Nuclear Physics (PHYS11041)
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| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
62 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% exam |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Nuclear Astrophysics | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1) Understand the core concepts of Nuclear Astrophysics;
2) Identify the main processes of energy generation and nucleosynthesis in stars;
3) Understand the nuclear processes that take place during different stages of stellar evolution;
4) Compare and contrast the resonant and non-resonant reaction mechanisms;
5) Understand different experimental techniques;
6) Solve problems similar to those discussed in the workshops;
7) Develop critical thinking and independent learning, and work effectively within a team;
8) Produce clear and informative written and oral presentations;
9) Develop judgement capabilities through assessment of their own work and that of others;
10) Critically read and evaluate published papers in the field.
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Reading List
Suggested textbooks for the course:
C. Iliadis, Nuclear Physics of Stars, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., 2007
C.E. Rolfs and W.S. Rodney, Cauldrons in the Cosmos, The University of Chicago Press, 1988
D.D. Clayton, Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis, The University of Chicago Press, 1983
K.S. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1988
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | NucAstro |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Marialuisa Aliotta
Tel: (0131 6)50 5288
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Paula Wilkie
Tel: (0131) 668 8403
Email: |
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