Laboratory portfolio: During the first half of the unit, students will observe a number of targets using the Macquarie University Observatory. They will also analyse their observational data (in case of bad weather, data will be provided). A small component of this observational task, the construction of a working spectroscope, will be conducted in the laboratory during teh first few weeks of the teaching period. The students will have to carry out some tasks related to constructing an astronomical spectrograph. A report of this activity will be due after the semester break. After the mid-session break, students will undertake a computational project based on calculating and analysing the structure and evolution of a given star. The combined spectroscopic/observational and computational project report will be due one week after the last PC Lab class.

Skills-based problem-solving assessment: Students will have the opportunity to engage in formatively assessed (not graded) problem sets throughout the unit. A formal assessment representative of problems pertaining to the first half of the unit's taught material will be conducted after the mid-session break.

A standard, 2-hour, written exam (plus 10 min reading time) will be given in the university examination period.

Late Submission Policy

• 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.

  • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

  • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

• After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

• Extensions:

  • Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

  • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Need help? Review the Special Consideration page HERE

In this unit, late submissions will accepted as follows: 

• Observational Analysis Task (incl. Spectroscope construction) – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 

• Computational Project – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 

Note on AI use: As students will finalise their observing/computational portfolios outside the classroom, they can use AI if so desired but this will likely only affect the writing of their final reports. Tasks must be completed in person, either at the MQ Observatory or in the computer lab (under supervision), where AI use is unlikely to be feasible. Although AI can be used to complete the formative skills-based problem sets offered throughout the semester, this will not help students learn; the observed summative skills-based problem-solving assessment after the mid-session break will be done in class and AI use is not allowed. (Neither will it be allowed during the final exam.)

Computational Project

Assessment Type ¹: Project Indicative Time on Task ²: 10 hours Due: Monday Week 11 (18 May 2026). Weighting: 20% (combined with the observational analysis task).

Project involving computer programming, astrophysical interpretation, report and presentation

On successful completion you will be able to:

• apply computational techniques to model physical phenomena in different astrophysical environments using the Unix environment and elements of the python computing language. 

Failure of this hurdle assessment will require the student to retake the unit when it is next offered. Alternatively, opportunities may be offered to amend aspects of this task in order to pass the hurdle.

Observational Analysis Task

Assessment Type ¹: Lab report Indicative Time on Task ²: 10 hours Due: Monday Week 8 (27 April 2026). Weighting: 20% (combined with the computational project).

A report on the outcomes of collection and analysis of observational data.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• apply computational techniques to model physical phenomena in different astrophysical environments using the Unix environment and elements of the python computing language. 
• design, conduct, analyse and report on observational experiments related to measuring the radiation from stars, galaxies and other astronomical objects in order to determine their properties.

Skills-based problem-solving assessment

Assessment Type ¹: Problem sets. Indicative Time on Task ²: 18 hours Due: formal assessment in Week 7 (20 April 2026). Weighting: 30%

A series of assignments throughout the session, culminating in a formal assessment in Week 7.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• discuss principles and difficulties of observational methods that allow us to interpret the physical characteristics of an astronomical object based on the light we receive from it. 
• demonstrate knowledge of the way radiation interacts with matter in different astrophysical environments through solving radiative transfer problems. 
• describe the internal structure of our Sun and stars other than the Sun, and explain the key observational properties of different types of stars. 
• apply the equations of stellar structure and the simplifications that lead to polytropic stellar models. 
• explain the processes and physics involved in stellar evolution, including the processes that bring about stellar death. 

Final examination

Assessment Type ¹: Examination Indicative Time on Task ²: 20 hours Due: As per MQ Examination timetable. Weighting: 30%  Given that the examination will assess a student's understanding of the entire subject matter covered in this unit (that is, covering learning objectives 1 through 5), this is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks).

Examination during the exam period covering all content from the unit.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• discuss principles and difficulties of observational methods that allow us to interpret the physical characteristics of an astronomical object based on the light we receive from it. 
• demonstrate knowledge of the way radiation interacts with matter in different astrophysical environments through solving radiative transfer problems. 
• describe the internal structure of our Sun and stars other than the Sun, and explain the key observational properties of different types of stars. 
• apply the equations of stellar structure and the simplifications that lead to polytropic stellar models. 
• explain the processes and physics involved in stellar evolution, including the processes that bring about stellar death. 

Students who fail the final examination or have valid reasons for non-attendance will be offered the option to take a supplementary examination during the supplementary examination period.

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

Two hours per week lectures will be live/in-person and recorded on Echo360. Lectures will start in Week 1.

One hour per week SGTA will be class-based problems done in groups and alone. SGTAs will start in Week 1.

Weeks 1–2: Spectroscopy labs (3 hours per week, 2 weeks as scheduled). These sessions are separate from the observing lab sessions.

Weeks 1–6: Observing lab sessions (3 hours per week) plus observing sessions at the University's astronomical observatory (scheduled in consultation with your observing lab supervisor)

Weeks 7–12: Computer labs (3 hours per week). Some lab preparation in your own time needed.

Individual teaching staff will advise the student cohort how they can best be reached and how they plan to communicate with the student cohort in relation to their own teaching component(s). Staff emails are available on the unit's iLearn page (which contains a section titled "Unit information and communication") and iLearn discussion forum are one of the options students and staff have for their communication needs.

Unit content: No changes

Staff assignments: No changes

Assessments: Under new University policies, the number of formal assessments has been reduced from four to three.

University policies on late submissions and AI use have been updated and implemented.