PHYSICS 3532 - Atmospheric and Astrophysics III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 3532 Course Atmospheric and Astrophysics III Coordinating Unit Physics Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites PHYSICS 2510, PHYSICS 2534, MATHS 2101 or MATHS 2202, MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2201 Incompatible PHYSICS 3013 & PHYSICS 3014 Assessment Examination, assignments, tutorials Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Andrew MacKinnon
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
A successful student should be able to:- understand Binary Stars and Accretion in Close Binary Systems, and the associated processes occurring in the Milky Way and other galaxies;
- explain aspects of special and general relativity related to astrophysics;
- explain cosmology, both observation and theory;
- apply the concepts of thermodynamics of dry and moist air, radiation and radiative transfer relevant to planetary atmospheres;
- explain the basic motion of the atmosphere;
- explain climate and climate change;
- apply appropriate techniques for solving a range of problems
- assess the validity of any assumptions that were made, and the correctness of the solution;
- identify the basic concepts and results of modern research papers in atmospheric and astrophysics;
- use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanations.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-9 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-10 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
10 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
10 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
No text book is officially required, although ones listed below as recommended could be very useful.Recommended Resources
Astrophysics:
Carroll, B.W. and Ostlie, D.A. (2007): An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (either edition) (Addison-Wesley)
Atmospheric Physics:
Wallace, J. M. and P. V. Hobbs (2006): Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, 2nd Edition, (Academic Press)
The above book covers the majority of the Atmospheric Physics section of the course, the three following books althought different do provide student with additional insight, hence why they are recommended.
Andrews, D. G. (2000): An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, CUP
Rogers, R. R. and M. K. Yau (1989): A Short Course in Cloud Physics, 3rd Edition, (Pergamon Press).
Holton, J. R. An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, (Academic Press) (any edition).
Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
- 3 lectures of 1 hour per week
- 50 minute weekly workshop, as required.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A full-time student should expect to spend, on average, a total of 48 hours per week on their studies. This includes the formal contact time required for the course (e.g. lectures: 3 hours/week, tutorials: 1 hour/week, practicals: 3 hours/fortnight), as well as non-contact time (e.g. reading and revision). For a 3-unit course, the expected workload would be, on average, 12 hours per week.Learning Activities Summary
Atmospheric Physics (50%)
Solar-Planetary Relations
- introduction to planetary atmospheres
- simple radiative balance
Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- first law of thermodynamics
- effects of water vapour
- atmospheric stability
- thermodynamic diagrams
- mixing and convection
- formation of cloud droplets
- precipitation
Radiation and Radiative Transfer
- black-body radiation
- extinction and emission
- absorption in the atmosphere
- radiative transfer equation and solution
- heating rates
- cooling to space
- aerosols: Rayleigh and Mie scattering
The Atmosphere in Motion
- Eulerian and Lagrangian frames
- momentum equations in a rotating frame of reference
- equation of continuity
- scale analysis
- geostrophic motions
- pressure coordinates
- vorticity
- turbulence, frictional effects and secondary circulations
Climate and Climate Change
- ozone production and loss
- greenhouse effect and climate feedbacks
Astrophysics (50%)
Binary Stars and Accretion in Close Binary Systems
- Visual, spectroscopic and eclipsing binary stars
- Evolution of close binaries
- Accretion in semi-detached systems; accretion disks
- White dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes in binary systems
The Milky Way and other Galaxies
- Composition and size of the Milky Way
- Galactic structure, spiral arms
- The Centre of the Milky Way
- Galaxies beyond the Milky Way – types, multiwavelength observations
- Galaxies and the distance scale
- Large scale structure of the Universe
- Active Galactic Nuclei, types and a unified model
Aspects of Special and General Relativity related to Astrophysics
- Relativistic Doppler shift and associated redshift
- Inverse Compton Scattering and synchrotron radiation
- Theory of apparent superluminal motion
- Doppler shift and Doppler factor of active galactic nuclei
- Relativistic beaming and Doppler boosted luminosity
- Gravitational deflection of light and gravitational lensing
- Gravitational redshift and black holes
Cosmology – observations and theory
- Key observations of the Universe
- Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metric
- Einstein-de Sitter model and closure density
- Cosmological redshift
- Thermodynamics of matter, radiation and dark energy
- The early Universe and decoupling
- Age of Universe as function of redshift
- Angular diameter distance and luminosity distance as tools for measuring cosmological parameters
- Primordial nucleosynthesisSpecific Course Requirements
None -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total weighting Hurdle
Yes/NoLearning Outcome Assignments Formative & Summative 30%
No 1-10 Exam Summative 70% No 1-10 Assessment Related Requirements
NoneAssessment Detail
Assignments
Assignments (30% of the course grade). The assignments will be used during the semester to assess knowledge and understanding of the concepts and the ability to use the techniques involved in the course, and to provide students with a benchmark for progress in the course.
50% of the assignments will be based upon the Atmospheric Physics section.
50% of the assignments will be based upon the Astrophysics section.
Final exam
One 3-hour exam (70%) will be used to assess the understanding of and the ability to use the material.Submission
Submission of Assigned Work
Assignments will be submit via MyUni, in doing so students are agreeing to the following statement:
I declare that all material in this assessment is my own work, except where there is clear acknowledgement and reference to the work of others. I have read the 成人大片's Academic Honesty PolicyLinks to an external site. I give permission for any assessed assignments to be reproduced and submitted to other academic staff for the purposes of assessment and to be copied, submitted and retained in a form suitable for electronic checking of plagiarism.
Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
