Major Project - Computational Astrophysics
HET617
Overview
To enrol in this unit, you must be accepted into a course from the provider.
Read before you start
Level of study: What does Postgraduate mean?
Postgraduate
EFTSL: What does EFTSL mean?
0.125
Delivery Method: What does delivery method mean?
Fully Online
Prerequisites: What are the prerequisites?
Duration:
13 weeks
Government loans available:
FEE-HELP FEE-HELP
Domestic student fee:
$1,600.00 (AUD)
International student fee:
$1,825.00 (AUD)
Description
This unit develops a detailed understanding of specific astrophysical concepts with the aid of computer simulations, and provides practical experience in the use of numerical modelling and data analysis. You develop your ability to keep a comprehensive record of experimental investigations, to write a detailed summary report of techniques used and investigations undertaken, and to communicate effectively about the outcomes of your work.
Enrolment Restriction
In order to enrol in this unit, you must be accepted into one of the following courses:
If you wish to seek approval to enrol in this unit without being accepted in a course, please contact OUA regarding the process.
Prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
You are recommended to have completed the following unit(s) or have equivalent knowledge before starting this unit:
- HET624 — Galaxies and their Place in the Universe
You should complete introductory tertiary-level mathematics & physics (or equivalent). Note that some topics have additional prerequisites of HET602 or HET611.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students will be able to:
- appreciate the use of computer simulations in modern astrophysics
- demonstrate detailed knowledge of a particular aspect of computational astrophysics
- write a project proposal which includes a research plan, the project aims, objectives and expected outcomes
- undertake independent research
- keep a comprehensive record of research methodologies and references/resources utilised
- write a detailed and summary report of techniques used, investigations undertaken and conclusions reached in the project
- synthesise the research results in a short poster summary.
Topics
This unit addresses the following topics.
| Number | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pulsar population synthesis |
| 2 | Galactic dynamics |
| 3 | Galaxy mergers |
| 4 | Solar systems dynamics |
| 5 | Stellar evolution |
| 6 | Binary evolution |
| 7 | Star cluster morphology |
Study Resources
This unit is delivered using the following methods and materials:
Instructional Methods
- Discussion Forum/Discussion Board
- Embedded Multimedia
- Online assignment submission
- Standard Media
- Web links
Textbook information for this unit is currently being updated and will be available soon. Please check back regularly for updates. Alternatively, visit the Unibooks website and enter the unit details to search for available textbooks.
Relevant Courses
This unit is a core requirement in the following courses:
- Graduate Diploma of Science (Astronomy), Swinburne University of Tnlgy
- Master of Science (Astronomy), Swinburne University of Tnlgy
This unit may be eligible for credit towards other courses:
- Many undergraduate courses on offer through OUA include 'open elective' where any OUA unit can be credited to the course. You need to check the Award Requirements on the course page for the number of allowed open electives and any level limitations.
- In other cases, the content of this unit might be relevant to a course on offer through OUA or elsewhere. In order to receive credit for this unit in the course you will need to supply the provider institution with a copy of the Unit Profile in the approved format, which you can download here. Note that the Unit Profile is set at the start of the year, and if textbooks change this may not match the Unibooks textbook list.
