Students
ASTR3020 – Extragalactic Astronomy
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Richard McDermid
Mark Wardle
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ASTR3010 or ASTR377
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
Co-taught with ASTR7908
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Galaxies are vast collections of stars, gas and dust, gravitationally bound into an evolving and dynamic ecosystem of physical processes. The Milky Way Galaxy in which we live is just one of billions of galaxies in the observable Universe. This unit will look beyond our Milky Way, and examine how galaxies form and evolve over cosmic time, how we quantify and categorise their properties, and what they tell us about the Universe on the largest possible scales. Topics covered will include galaxy evolution, super-massive black holes, dark matter, dark energy, Big Bang cosmology, and gravitational waves. These topics will also be explored through practical sessions making use of public research data archives and contemporary analysis techniques. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate knowledge of quantitative and qualitative galaxy morphology from a variety of observational evidence, and relate this to theories of galaxy formation and evolution.
- ULO2: Explain the principle properties of stellar populations, including their evolution with time and metallicity, and how their properties are modelled.
- ULO3: Calculate the dynamical properties of stellar systems based on analytic gravitational potentials, and use these to make inferences about galaxies.
- ULO4: Explain the basic qualitative principles of, and observational evidence for, current cosmological models.
- ULO5: Apply metric tensors in the context of cosmological models, and understand how observations constrain different components of these models.
- ULO6: Demonstrate knowledge of current galaxy formation and evolutionary theories, and the techniques used to simulate these.
General Assessment Information
Assignments will be submitted electronically. Lab sessions will be based on python via jupyter-style notebooks using Google CoLab (though notebooks can also be run locally if preferred). The final exam is a hurdle assessment. ASTR7908 students will follow the same lectures and labs, but with differentiated assessments.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 20% | No | Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 11 |
| Lab report | 20% | No | Weeks 2, 4, 7, 10 and 12 |
| Final Exam | 60% | Yes | Exam period |
Assignments
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 11
Weighting: 20%
There will be four problem-set assignments given through the semester: two for the first half of the course, focussed on galaxies; and two for the second half, focused on cosmology. The assignments will be based on the lecture content, and are designed to deepen students’ understanding of the course content, and develop problem-solving skills. Each assignment will be equally weighted. Feedback on submitted work will be provided to each student, along with worked solutions posted on iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of quantitative and qualitative galaxy morphology from a variety of observational evidence, and relate this to theories of galaxy formation and evolution.
- Explain the principle properties of stellar populations, including their evolution with time and metallicity, and how their properties are modelled.
- Calculate the dynamical properties of stellar systems based on analytic gravitational potentials, and use these to make inferences about galaxies.
- Explain the basic qualitative principles of, and observational evidence for, current cosmological models.
- Apply metric tensors in the context of cosmological models, and understand how observations constrain different components of these models.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current galaxy formation and evolutionary theories, and the techniques used to simulate these.
Lab report
Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weeks 2, 4, 7, 10 and 12
Weighting: 20%
Each lab project will be assessed using the electronically submitted python notebooks directly. These are mostly completed during the lab sessions, so only a small amount of additional time is needed to prepare these for submission.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the principle properties of stellar populations, including their evolution with time and metallicity, and how their properties are modelled.
- Calculate the dynamical properties of stellar systems based on analytic gravitational potentials, and use these to make inferences about galaxies.
- Explain the basic qualitative principles of, and observational evidence for, current cosmological models.
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 60%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
A final exam held during the University exam period will be used to assess skills and knowledge developed over the entire unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of quantitative and qualitative galaxy morphology from a variety of observational evidence, and relate this to theories of galaxy formation and evolution.
- Explain the principle properties of stellar populations, including their evolution with time and metallicity, and how their properties are modelled.
- Calculate the dynamical properties of stellar systems based on analytic gravitational potentials, and use these to make inferences about galaxies.
- Explain the basic qualitative principles of, and observational evidence for, current cosmological models.
- Apply metric tensors in the context of cosmological models, and understand how observations constrain different components of these models.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current galaxy formation and evolutionary theories, and the techniques used to simulate these.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures will be available in a fully-online format. Lectorials and labs will be designed to run on campus, with an online option.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.