58勛圖

AS1111 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 for Direct Entrants

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: Monday - Friday 11am Labs: Tuesday; Wednesday; Friday 3pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Prof Ian Bonnell; Dr Claudia Cyganowski; Prof Rita Tojeiro

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module provides an introduction to the science of astrophysics for students who have taken direct entry to Second level and are planning to take level two astrophysics later in the same academic session. The module surveys our present state of knowledge of the structure and evolution of the Sun and other stars; the menagerie of star-forming regions, violent stellar objects and supermassive black holes found within our own Milky Way Galaxy and in other galaxies; and the large-scale structure and ultimate fate of the expanding Universe. Throughout the module, fundamental observations are interpreted using mathematical models to show how distances and other properties of astronomical objects throughout the Universe have been measured, from the time of Copernicus to the era of JWST and beyond.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

THE STUDENT MUST HAVE HIGHER OR A-LEVEL (OR EQUIVALENT) PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS AT GRADE B OR BETTER

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE AS1001 OR TAKE AS1002

Co-requisites

STUDENTS TAKING THIS MODULE MUST BE ENROLLED IN PH2011 IN THE SAME SEMESTER

Assessment pattern

40% Coursework 60% Exam

Re-assessment

25% Coursework 75% Exam

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-5 x 1-hr lectures (10 weeks), 1 x 1-hr tutorial (6 weeks). 1 x x-hr lab (4 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe the structure and evolution of the physical universe, from stars through the Milky Way galaxy to the large-scale distribution of galaxies and the origin of the universe
  • Define and use important methods for computing distances in Astronomy
  • Demonstrate an ability to calculate astrophysical properties of stars and galaxies from basic physical and mathematical models and simplified data
  • Interact with astronomical data using software such as python

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/