Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Imaging and Applied Physics
Radiation Processes in Astrophysics 401
Semester One, 2010
Unit study package number:
302742
Mode of study:
Internal
Tuition pattern summary:
Weekly lectures, Monday 2 – 4 PM. Location varies,
check Blackboard for details. Possible weekly tutorial,
time to be arranged during class.
Please be aware that we plan to lecture on the first Monday during the tuition free period and
also on the 26th of April, which is officially a public holiday. You might think this seems unfair,
but given that lectures only run for 2 hours a week and the tutorials are likely to be sporadic
at best, the overall teaching load is not high for a 25 point, 4th year unit. Expectations placed
on honours students are always higher than those placed on undergraduates.
Credit value:
25
Pre-requisite units:
Electromagnetism 302
Co-requisite units:
None
Anti-requisite units:
None
Additional Requirements:
None
Result type:
Grade and Mark
Approved incidental fees:
All fee information can be obtained through the Fees
Centre. Visit fees.curtin.edu.au for details.
Unit Coordinator:
Name:
Dr. Aidan Hotan
Phone:
9266 9665
Email:
a.hotan@curtin.edu.au
Building : Room:
610 : 128B or 301 : 122
Consultation times:
Friday 11 AM in 301 : 122
Lecturer or Tutor:
Name:
Various experts in the field.
Administrative contact:
Name:
Jennifer Talbot
Phone:
9266 9899
Email:
j.talbot@curtin.edu.au
Building : Room:
610 Main Office
Learning Management System: FLECS - Blackboard (oasis.curtin.edu.au)
Publication Date: 4 March 2010
Page 1 of 5
CRICOS Provider Code
WA 00301J, NSW 02637B
Syllabus
This unit develops an advanced understanding of the emission of radiation from a wide range
of astrophysical sources. Students are presented with current theoretical models that form
the backbone of astronomical research. Students will learn about radiation emission across
the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum, from continuum (thermal, synchrotron, free-free
inverse Compton, etc.) and spectral line emission (atomic and molecular transitions, masers,
etc.) through to high energy particle acceleration mechanisms and even cosmic rays. One of
the primary goals of RPA401 is to apply the formalisms of relativistic electromagnetism and
quantum physics to physical situations in order to predict the intrinsic emission properties of
astrophysical objects such as accretion disks, jets, shocked regions, compact objects and so
on. This unit complement the material covered in 302743, Radiation Processes in
Astrophysics 302.
Introduction
Although the syllabus above is quite specific, the actual content of RPA401 and RPA402 may
vary from year to year. In an experimental move, this unit is being co-taught with the UWA
unit “Advanced Topics in Astrophysics”. The two classes will combine and lectures will be
given by experts from both institutions. This year, the lectures will be divided into 4 modules,
each 3 weeks long. These are:
Advanced Radio Astronomy Techniques (Phil Diamond and Maria Rioja, UWA)
Radiation Mechanisms I (Jean-Pierre Macquart, Curtin)
Radiation Mechanisms 2 (Jean-Pierre Macquart, Curtin)
The Dynamics of our Milky Way (Ken Freeman, UWA)
Graduate
Attributes
addressed:
Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students can:
1. Use their knowledge of physics to predict the properties of the radiation
emitted by different kinds of astronomical sources.
2. Assess the quality of a theoretical model by comparing its predictions
to a set of observational measurements.
3. Understand the way scientists construct theoretical models of physical
systems so that they are able to build new models when confronted
with an original scenario.
4. Interpret and critique research presented in scholarly journals and
present findings to a group of peers.
Curtin’s Graduate Attributes
Apply discipline
knowledge
Thinking skills
Information skills
Communication skills
Technology skills
Learning how to
learn
Publication Date: 4 March 2010
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CRICOS Provider Code
WA 00301J, NSW 02637B
International
perspective
Cultural
understanding
Professional skills
Find out more about Curtin’s Graduate attributes at the Office of Teaching & Learning
website: otl.curtin.edu.au
Learning Activities
Learning activities will consist of weekly double lectures on Monday, between 14:00 and
16:00. These will be used to introduce new topics. In addition, a single tutorial may run each
week, depending on individual module requirements. A time for the tutorial will be arranged
by negotiation during lectures.
Learning Resources
Lecturers will supply their own lists of recommended learning resources.
Assessment Schedule
Task
Value (%)
Date due
Unit Learning
Outcome(s) assessed
Module 1 assignment.
10%
Module end.
1, 2 & 3
Module 2 assignment.
10%
Module end.
1, 2 & 3
Module 3 assignment.
10%
Module end.
1, 2 & 3
Module 4 assignment.
10%
Module end.
1, 2 & 3
Final Exam.
60%
Module end.
1, 2 & 3
Detailed information on assessment tasks
1. Assignments will be set and marked by the lecturer for each module.
2. The final exam will assess the concepts presented in all modules and will be
scheduled by negotiation during the Curtin examination period.
Fair assessment through moderation
Moderation describes a quality assurance process to ensure that assessments are
appropriate to the learning outcomes, and that student work is consistently evaluated by
assessors. Minimum standards for the moderation of assessment are described in the
Assessment Manual, available from policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/teachingandlearning.cfm
Late penalties
In accordance with departmental policy, late marks may be deducted at the rate of 20% of the
total grade per day. Ensure you are familiar with any penalties that may be applied if work is
submitted after the deadline.
Publication Date: 4 March 2010
Page 3 of 5
CRICOS Provider Code
WA 00301J, NSW 02637B
Pass requirements
To pass the unit, an overall grade of 50% must be obtained.
Referencing style
Students should use the Chicago Author-Date referencing style when preparing assignments.
More information can be found on this style from the Library web site:
library.curtin.edu.au/research_and_information_skills/referencing
Supplementary information
Enrolment:
It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrolment is correct - you can check your
enrolment through the eStudent option on OASIS, where you can also print an Enrolment
Advice.
Supplementary/Deferred Exams:
Supplementary and deferred examinations granted by the Faculty of Science and
Engineering will be held on the 22nd and 23rd of July. Notification to students will be made
after the Faculty of Science and Engineering Board of Examiners meeting via the Official
Communications Channel (OCC) in OASIS. It is the student’s responsibility to check their
OASIS account for official Curtin correspondence on a weekly basis. If your results show that
you have been awarded a supplementary or deferred exam you should immediately check
your OASIS email for details.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when work or property of another person is presented as one's own,
without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing. Plagiarism is a serious offence. For
more information refer to academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au
Plagiarism Monitoring
Some (or all) assessments in this unit may be monitored for plagiarism using Turnitin (see
turnitin.com). Students who do not want assignments retained in the Turnitin database must
lodge a special request prior to the submission date. For further advice see
academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/studentsturnitin.html
Student Rights and Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation and policies and
procedures relating to his or her rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
the Student Charter
the University’s Guiding Ethical Principles
the University’s policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity
copyright principles and responsibilities
the University’s policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities
Information on all these things is available throughtt the University’s “Student Rights and
Responsibilities” website at: students.curtin.edu.au/rights.
Publication Date: 4 March 2010
Page 4 of 5
CRICOS Provider Code
WA 00301J, NSW 02637B
Recent unit changes
We welcome feedback as one way to keep improving this unit. Students are encouraged to
give unit feedback through eVALUate, Curtin’s online student feedback system (see
http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/index.cfm). Recent changes to this unit include:
1. This is the first time the unit has been offered. All feedback appreciated.
http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm
Program calendar
Begin Date
Orientation
22 February
1.
1 March
Radio Astronomy – UWA
2.
8 March
Radio Astronomy – UWA
3.
15 March
Radio Astronomy – UWA
4.
22 March
Break – No Lectures
5.
29 March
Tuition Free Week Radiation Processes 1 - Curtin
6.
5 April
Tuition Free Week
7.
12 April
Radiation Processes 1 - Curtin
8.
19 April
Radiation Processes 1 - Curtin
9.
26 April
Radiation Processes 2 - Curtin
10.
3 May
Radiation Processes 2 - Curtin
11.
10 May
Radiation Processes 2 - Curtin
12.
17 May
Milky Way - UWA
13.
24 May
Milky Way - UWA
14.
31 May
Milky Way - UWA
15.
7 June
Study Week
16.
14 June
Exams Week 1
17.
21 June
Exams Week 2
Publication Date: 4 March 2010
Lecture
Assessment
Due
Week
Page 5 of 5
CRICOS Provider Code
WA 00301J, NSW 02637B