FYSS3440 Nuclear Astrophysics (6 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

  • Abundances and observations

  • Stellar evolution, different types of stars

  • Nuclear reactions

  • Primordial nucleosynthesis: origin of hydrogen and helium

  • Hydrogen burning: pp chains and CNO cycles, energy production in the Sun

  • Helium burning: triple alpha process, origin of carbon and oxygen

  • Advanced burning stages: carbon, neon, oxygen and silicon burning, nuclear statistical equilibrium, core collapse supernovae

  • Origin of heavier elements: neutron capture processes s and r, other processes (i, p and rp)

  • Programme(s) to run nuclear reaction network codes and data libraries 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students can:

  • explain where and how chemical elements have been formed in the Universe

  • classify stars based on their evolution and observations

  • know different reaction types and factors affecting the reaction rates in stars

  • name current reserach topics in nuclear astrophysics 

Description of prerequisites

  • Nuclear Physics FYSS3301-302, or equivalent knowledge

  • Basic understanding of nuclear mass and binding energy, mass excess; nuclear liquid drop model and shell model; radioactive decay; cross section; fusion and fission 

Study materials

Lecture material in Moodle

Literature

  • Christian Iliadis: Nuclear Physics of Stars. Wiley-VCH. ISBN: 978-3-527-40602-9; ISBN: 978-3-527-40602-9
  • Rolfs & Rodney: Cauldrons in the Cosmos

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Given on spring semester, 4th period, in even years.
Evaluation criteria:
Lecture sessions (tests and group work): 20%, problem sets and project work: 30%, final exam, either oral or written: 50%. Home exam always includes an additional assessment discussion.
Time of teaching:
Period 4
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
This completion method is for students for whom the method 1 is not possible for specific reasons (e.g. language, distance learning, statement for special study arrangements). Contact the teacher before enrolling to the course via this completion method.
Evaluation criteria:
Two options. A) Final exam, either written or oral (100%). B) Exercises (30%) and final exam, either written or oral (70%). Home exam always includes an additional assessment discussion.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (6 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Lecture sessions (tests and group work): 20%, problem sets and project work: 30%, final exam, either oral or written: 50%. Home exam always includes an additional assessment discussion. The completion of the course requires at least 50% of maximum points.</p>
Language:
English
No published teaching
x

Independent study (6 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Two options.&nbsp;</p><p>A) Final exam, either written or oral (100%). Home exam requires also an assessment discussion.&nbsp;</p><p>B) Exercises (30%) and final exam, either written or oral (70%). Home exam requires also an assessment discussion.</p>
Language:
English
Study methods:

Exercises and final exam, or only the final exam

Teaching