Module: Cosmology, Galaxies & Sun

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Cosmology, Galaxies & Sun
Module Code	PS405 (ITS) / ASP1006 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Maria Chernyakova
Module Teachers	Samuel McKeague
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination

Description

This course provides the student with a background in modern cosmology and exoplanets. The course presents a physical description of the structure and formation of galaxies, clusters and large-scale structure in an expanding Universe dominated by dark matter and dark energy. The discovery techniques of exoplanets are explained, as are the methods that can be used to characterise their bulk properties and atmospheres. Also included are the evolution of planetary systems and the mechanisms involved.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline and discuss the structure and kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy, know properties of supermassive black holes and Sgr A*
2. Understand the formation and merger of galaxies and be able to compare different types of Galaxies
3. Describe categories of active galaxies and models for emission properties
4. Discuss the contents, history and origin of the Universe, know the relation between the contents of the Universe and its evolution.
5. Discuss Inflation and nucleosynthesis in the very early Universe, formation of structure
6. Discuss the origin of the cosmic microwave background
7. Discuss properties of the intergalactic medium

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 lectures per week
Tutorial	6	tutorial every second week
Independent Study	95	studying lecture material, solving numerical problems and doing background reading
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Galaxies
Structure and kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy. Properties of supermassive black holes and Sgr A*. The types of galaxies, Hubble sequence.

Properties and evolution of galaxies
Fundamental relations: Tully-Fisher, Faber-Jackson, Fundamental Plane, luminosity function. Formation and merger of galaxies. The extragalactic distance scale. Categories of active galaxies and models for emission properties.

Large scale structure of the universe
Galaxy cluster properties. The contents, history and origin of the Universe. Relation between the contents of the Universe and its evolution. Dark matter. The Cosmic microwave background

Early evolution of the universe
Inflation and the very early Universe. Nuclear synthesis and the early Universe. The formation of structure in the early universe

Properties of the intergalactic medium

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Solving numerical problems as homework, reports on given topics.	20%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

P. Schneider: 2006, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: An Introduction,
Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie: 2007, Modern Astrophysics,
Barbara S. Ryden: 2003, Introduction to Cosmology,
H. Mo, F. van den Bosch & S. White: 2010, Galaxy Formation & Evolution,
S. Phillipps: 2005, The Structure and Evolution of Galaxies,

Other Resources

None