The constellation Orion
The constellation Orion, by Matthew Spinelli

The first year astronomy course consists of four 10-credit modules, two in each semester (plus PHY116, see below). Each module involves 20-30% assessed homework and coursework: deadline timetables will be made available near the beginning of each semester.

The second semester laboratory/skills module, PHY116 Professional Skills in Physics and Astronomy II, is almost identical to PHY114 Professional Skills in Physics II, except that you will spend three weeks in the astronomy lab doing exercises focused on astrophysics and computational skills.

PHY111 our evolving universe

semester 1
contact person
Dr Simon Goodwin, Hicks room E49
lectures
Two per week, times/places to be determined
assessment
end-of-semester exam and class tests

ElementComponentsweight
Exam Section A, short answers 32%
Section B, long answers 48%
Class Tests 2, total 20%

textbook
Nick Strobel's Astronomy Notes, or any introductory astronomy text (e.g. Ian Morison, Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology, Bennett et al., The Cosmic Perspective).
If you are a Dual Honours Astrophysics student, your course text Carroll and Ostlie, Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, a more advanced but well-written text, is relevant to this module and should see you through most of your course.
website
course website.

PHY104 introduction to astrophysics

semester 2
contact person
Prof. Paul Crowther, Hicks room E19
lectures
Two per week, times/places to be determined
problems class
One per week, times/places to be determined
assessment
end-of-semester exam, homework, class test

ElementComponentsweight
Exam Section A, short questions (do all 4) 32%
Section B, long questions (do 2 from 4) 48%
Class test total 10%
Homework total 10%

textbook
The Stars: their structure and evolution, by Roger Tayler (Cambridge University Press, 1994)
An Introduction to the Sun and Stars, edited by Simon Green and Mark Jones (Cambridge University Press/The Open University, 2003). This book is at a noticeably lower mathematical level than the course (it has no calculus), but is good for the more descriptive aspects.
website
on MOLE

PHY106 the solar system

semester 2
contact person
Dr Katherine Inskip, Hicks room F29
lectures
Two per week, times/places to be determined
assessment
end-of-semester exam, progress test

ElementComponentsweight
Exam Do 3 questions from 5 80%
Class test 20%

textbook
The New Solar System, fourth edition, by J. Kelly Beatty, Carolyn Collins Peterson and Andrew Chaikin (Cambridge University Press, 1999)
An Introduction to the Solar System, revised edition, edited by David Rothery, Neil McBride and Iain Gilmour (Cambridge University Press/The Open University, 2011). This is a newer book, at a significantly lower level than The New Solar System, but covering most aspects of the course.
website
module home page, containing links to useful material.
Note that, owing to the rapid pace of solar system exploration recently (Cassini/Huygens, Mars Phoenix Lander, Mercury Messenger, etc.), books on this topic rapidly become out-of-date. If Dr Inskip's notes contradict the books at any point, believe the notes!

PHY115 professional skills in physics and astronomy I

semester 1
contact person
Dr Katherine Inskip, Hicks room F29
lectures/preparatory sessions
two per week, weeks 1-6; one per week, weeks 8-12
laboratory
weeks 1-6, first year physics lab (with PHY113)
weeks 8-11, positional astronomy lab course
assessment
lab work, homework

ElementComponentsweight
Laboratory Assignments 25%
Formal report 20%
Short courses 20%
Positional astronomy total 35%

textbook
For laboratory, Les Kirkup, Experimental Methods
For positional astronomy, Fiona Vincent, Positional Astronomy (online course)
website
The Positional Astronomy course is on MOLE.
Notes on Problem Solving can be found here
.

PHY116 professional skills in physics and astronomy II

semester 2
contact person
Dr Katherine Inskip, Hicks room F29
lectures/preparatory sessions
one per week
laboratory
7 weeks, first year physics lab (with PHY114)
3 weeks, astronomy lab, E36
The three weeks spent in the astronomy lab will be chosen so as to fit the organisation of the physics lab. This will be determined at the start of semester 2.
assessment
lab work, homework

ElementComponentsweight
Astronomy Laboratory Assignments 30%
Physics Laboratory Assignments 25%
Formal report 25%
AC Circuits 20%

textbook
see PHY115
website
none as yet
note
This module is essentially identical to PHY114 Professional Skills in Physics II, except for a different set of "pool" experiments/computing assignments.


Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK