Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
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 Tobias Westmeier
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
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.