Module: Cosmology, Galaxies & Sun

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cosmology, Galaxies & Sun
Module Code	ASP1006
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course provides the student with a background in modern cosmology and solar physics. 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 structure of the Sun, the formation of its atmosphere, and the different phenomena therein are discussed. Also included are the connection between the Sun and the heliosphere and space weather.

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
8. Describe the different constituent parts of the Sun
9. Discuss the storage and release of energy in the solar atmosphere
10. Discuss the connection between the Sun and its heliosphere
11. Discuss the different components of space weather and their effect on the Earth

*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

Section Breakdown
CRN	20048	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC3	Best Mark	Y
Module Co-ordinator	Maria Chernyakova	Module Teacher	David Long

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Solving numerical problems as homework, reports on given topics.	20%	As required
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Solar Interior
Structure of the solar interior, energy generation and transport processes, generation of the solar magnetic field

The Solar Atmosphere
Different regions of the solar atmosphere. Active region formation and evolution. F-, K-, and E-corona. Coronal heating problem

Solar eruptive events
Types of solar eruptive phenomena. Energy storage and release. The standard flare model.

Space Weather
Connections between the Sun and heliosphere. Space weather effects at Earth. Parker Spiral.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,
Markus Aschwanden: 2006, Physics of the Solar Corona, Springer Science & Business Media, 946, 3-540-30765-6
Leon Golub,Jay M. Pasachoff: 2010, The Solar Corona, Cambridge University Press, 405, 052188201X

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None