UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit will provide students with a broad and thorough understanding of gravitational wave astronomy, including the key astrophysical processes governing the evolution and radiation of gravitational wave sources and the emission mechanisms for high energy particles and radiation. Key topics will include (1) gravitational wave physics — prediction of gravitational waves, audio-band gravitational wave sources and signal characteristics, multi-messenger signatures of binary coalescences, the principle of gravitational wave discovery and early warning, and (2) high energy astrophysics — emission mechanisms for high energy particles and radiation, the physics of x-ray and gamma-ray astronomical sources (including gamma-ray burst) and the interpretation of high-energy observations of astronomical objects using data acquired by the students. The content will be explored with reference to a range of applications and physical contexts, including a discussion of open problems in gravitational-wave astronomy.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Honours option in Physics [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) discuss current research in the field of gravitational wave detection and multi-messenger astronomy, using the language and reasoning at the level of a junior research scientist in the field; (2) critically interpret current state-of-the-art research on the topic; (3) explain the characteristics of gravitational wave signals and principles behind the detection methods; (4) directly analyse gravitational wave data for detection and parameter estimation; and (5) demonstrate a critical understanding of open problems in gravitational wave astronomy and future directions in the field.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class practices and oral presentations; (2) written reports; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Linqing Wen and Associate Professor David Coward

Unit rules

Prerequisites

completion of the core units in the Physics major or equivalent

and
Course Enrolment in

the 53560 Master of Physics
or the CM015 Bachelor of Science (Frontier Physics) and Master of Physics

Contact hours

Lectures: 2-hours per week
Practical Classes: 1-hour per week

Texts

This unit will be based on a number of recommended texts including:

Gravitational Waves: Volume 1 & 2, Michele Maggiore

Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy: An Introduction to Theory, Experiment and Data Analysis, Jolien D. E. Creighton and Warren G. Anderson

Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology with Gravitational Waves, B. S. Sathyaprakash and Bernard Schutz

A College Course on Relativity and Cosmology, Ta-Pei Cheng, Oxford University Press, 2015

21st Century Astronomy, George Blumenthal, Jeff Hester, Laura Kay, Howard Voss, Bradford Smith.

High Energy Astrophysics, Malcolm Longair