This unit has hurdle requirements, specifying a minimum standard that must be attained in aspects of the unit. To pass this unit you must obtain a mark of at least:

• 50% in the unit overall

as well as 

• 40% in the mid-term examination  

Late Assessments Policy

The non-examination assessment components should be submitted via iLearn or github by the due date and time.

The penalty for late submission is deduction of 5% of the possible mark for that item for each 24 hour period (or part) overdue. Assessments will not be accepted for marking if submitted more than 1 week past the due date.  Extensions to the due dates for assignments,  practical assessments, and project will only be considered if requested with valid reason prior to the due date.

Students anticipating or experiencing difficulties in meeting a deadline should discuss this with one of the lecturers in the first instance, ideally ahead of the deadline, if at all possible. Students should also be familiar with the University's Disruptions to Study policy ( http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html ).

Major Project

The Lectures, Tutorials and Labs in the first half of the unit are designed to support the activities of the Major Project. Participation in the first half is essential for identifying tools and methods required to achieve the aims of the Major Project.

Special lectures

Each week, generally the 3rd lecture of a week will include a guest lecturer. Professional astronomers will describe one of their research projects, including the science goals, project overview, telescope requirements and results. Attendance of these are strongly encouraged for the opportunity to ask questions about their projects and learn about tools or methods they employ in preparation for the Major Project work.

Normal lectures

Generally the 1st and 2nd lectures in a week will be a traditional lecture format on astronomy and instrumentation topics.

Students are expected to attend all Lectures whenever possible. Lectures attendance provides the opportunity to ask questions about content that will be covered on the mid-term exam and to prepare for the Major Project.

Tutorials

Tutorials in the first half will cover tools and methods to support the Major Project work. Most of the tutorial will be interactive sessions with the tools introduced.

Tutorials in the second half will be workshop-style interactive tutorials focused on astronomy instrumentation topics. The topics covered and the interactive Q&A format are key for gaining a deep understanding of instrumentation topics for the Major Project report, reflective writing and individual interviews.

Labs

Labs provide hands-on python programming and instrumentation work related to telescope and science-grade astronomical cameras. Labs provide important way to learn tools in preparation for the Major Project. The python labs will be conducted individually. The other two labs will be pairs of students, who will submit individual lab reports.

Python programming resources

The Major Project and standards labs requires use of the Python programming language. There are signfiicant resources online about how to program with python and specific tools for writing astronomy code:

• http://astropy-tutorials.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ 
• https://www.datacamp.com/community/tutorials/python-numpy-tutorial 
• https://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy/user/quickstart.html 
• https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python

Software tools

Students will get to select and use various software tools to help manage their Major Project work. Some examples will include:

• Communications & Project management
  • https://slack.com/ 
  • https://trello.com/
  • https://zoom.us/
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/
• Coding
  • https://github.com/
  • https://datastudio.google.com/
• File and document sharing
  • https://drive.google.com/
  • https://www.office.com/
  • https://www.overleaf.com/

Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Required Text

There is no single textbook that covers all of the course material in this unit. Appropriate material will be provided during the course. Useful textbooks are listed below.

Recommended Reading/Useful References

Foundations of Astrophysics by Barbara Ryden, Addison-Wesley, (2009)

Observational Astrophysics by Robert C. Smith, Cambridge University Press (1995)

Astrophysical Techniques, C R Kitchin, Institute of Physics Publishing (2003)

Adaptive Optics for Astronomical Telescopes, John W Hardy, Oxford University Press (1998)

Astrophysical quantities, C W Allen, London : Athlone Press (1973) ISBN0485111500e

Teaching and Learning Strategy

This unit is taught through a Major Project, Lectures and through undertaking laboratory experiments. The Major Project follows a project-based learning paradigm with team self-directed projects. The open-ended nature of the projects allows student definition of the project’s goals and find the tools required to achieve those goals.

Questions during and outside Lectures are strongly encouraged in this unit - please do not be afraid to ask as it is likely that your classmates will also want to know the answer.

The first half will consist of Lectures, Tutorials and Practicals. Laboratories (practicals) are compulsory and will commence in the first week of semester.

The second half will mostly be lab-based work on the Major Project. No Lectures will be given, instead the lab will be open and a lecturer available for Major Project work.

Tutorials on Astronomical Instrumentation will be given during the 2nd half. A night visit to use the Macquarie Observatory for the Major Project will form an important part of the Major Project as data collected at the observatory will be used in some of the Major Projects.

The order of the Weekly Lectures themes below might change due to Expert availability.

This unit is almost entirely changed in structure and delivery style from a traditional lecture + lab format to a project-based Major Project and Lecture series. Topics covered are similar to previous years.

Student Liaison Committee

The Physics Department values quality teaching and engages in periodic student evaluations of its units, external reviews of its programs and course units, and seeks formal feedback from students via focus groups and the Student Liaison Committee.

Please consider being a member of this committee, which meets once during the semester (lunch provided), with the purpose of improving teaching via student feedback. The class will be asked to nominate two students as representatives for the ASTR278 unit on the student liaison committee. This nomination process will be conducted during lectures and the lecturer will forward the names to the Head of Department.

The SLC meetings are minuted and student representatives receive copies of the minutes from the two preceding SLC meetings prior to the meeting. An update on the responses that have been made by the department to the feedback obtained at the two preceding SLC meetings are reported by the Head of Department at the beginning of each SLC meeting. These responses are also minuted.

The feedback is acted upon in a number of ways mostly initiated via Department of Physics and Astronomy meetings, where decisions on actions are taken.

Grading

An aggregate standard number grade (SNG) corresponding to a pass (P) is required to pass this unit.

High Distinction (HD, 85-100%): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

Distinction (D, 75-84%): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Credit (Cr, 66-74%): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

Pass (P, 50-65%): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

Fail (F, 0-49%): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.