Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus owing to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
In this unit students learn about the various constituents and physical processes taking place in the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies, and how to use radio telescopes to detect the gas reservoirs out of which new stars are made. Upon completion of this unit, students should gain a broad knowledge of the physics of the ISM and should be able to read and understand current research papers on the topics of ISM and star formation. In addition, students should be able to carry out the end-to-end process of planning radio astronomy observations, implementing them, reducing raw telescope data, and analysing the resulting products to derive the basic physical properties of the gas reservoirs of galaxies.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the physical principles underlying observational radio astronomy techniques; (2) explain how the various constituents of the interstellar medium interact physically with each other and connect with star formation in galaxies; (3) reduce radio observations of extragalactic sources; (4) critically evaluate recent astronomy and astrophysics research literature; and (5) apply critical thinking skills to a range of realistic physical situations, with particular emphasis on planning observations and reducing data.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) laboratory report; 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)
- Associate Professor Barbara Catinella and Dr Martin Meyer
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- completion of the core units in the Physics major or equivalentand
Course Enrolment inthe 53560 Master of Physics
or the CM015 Bachelor of Science (Frontier Physics) and Master of Physics
- Contact hours
- Lectures: 4-hours per week
Laboratory work: 6-hours - Texts
This unit will be based on a number of recommended texts including:
Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium, by Bruce T. Draine
Tools of Radio Astronomy, by Kristen Rohlfs et al.
Synthesis Imaging in Radio Astronomy II, by G.B Taylor et al.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.