| Unit name | Forming Planets and Feeding Black Holes |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYSM0073 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ben Maughan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
PHYS10012 Core Physics I: Classical, Quantum and Thermal Physics PHYS20040 From Classical to Modern Physics |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
- |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
- |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
The physics of accretion is vital for the understanding of the formation of astrophysical systems from the scales of planets to supermassive black holes, and draws upon a wide range of physics knowledge. The apparently abstract nature of such huge systems still relies on fundamental physics, and in this unit you will integrate your existing understanding of physics to such systems. The theoretical background will be of interest to any physics students wishing to learn about fluid mechanics in depth, while the astrophysical applications address areas of significant international research effort, including in the Bristol Astrophysics Group.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit forms part of the fourth year options portfolio for physics students; a suite of options led by research in the School. Your choice of options will help to shape the physicist you will become.
An overview of content
In this unit we will cover the theoretical background of fluid mechanics, including the conservation laws, waves and shocks, magnetohydrodynamics, viscosity and particles within a fluid. This knowledge will then be used to study accretion processes in astrophysics, in the context of the formation of planets and planetary systems, and the accretion disks around supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei. We will also study other important applications of fluid mechanics in astrophysics, including the solar wind, the expansion of supernova remnants and the plasma atmospheres of clusters of galaxies.
Topics covered will include:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you will have gained experience of physics as an interdisciplinary science and will be able to relate your physics knowledge to the understanding of astrophysical systems which are at the cutting edge of international research.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
The unit is organised through our on-line learning environment (OLE). This is where you will find information about the unit, lecture notes, any pre-recorded videos, recordings of lectures and live sessions, and other learning resources.
All teaching activities will be delivered face-to-face (barring intervention from exceptional events), and it is an expectation that you engage with these activities. Learning activities will be split across in-class activities (lectures, problems classes) and those around your own private study (for example online quizzes, videos, textbook references etc.).
The unit will consist of around 30 hours of content delivery with 10 hours of problems support. Along with this time there is an expectation of personal study in line with the University statement on student workloads.
Some sessions may require preparation beforehand (e.g. watching a video, reading a textbook chapter or journal article or similar); where these materials are provided, you should aim to spend around one hour of preparation time for one hour of face-to-face teaching. This will allow you to make the most of class discussions and activities.
Problem classes will have emphasis on problem-based learning, where you will be able to discuss the problems with peers and the facilitator.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There will be regular problems classes, allowing you to ask questions of the facilitator to help you quantify your own understanding and that of others.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you may have the opportunity to retake the examination during the next available reassessment period. *
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYSM0073).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
