Graduate Astrophysics Course Details
The Applied Physics (APPH) PhD program within UMBC's Physics Dept has recently
introduced an "Astrophysics Concentration" for students interested
in pursuing graduate studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The full APPH course requirements are
described here.
Below are brief description of the Astrophysic-specific courses [only].
The following Graduate-level astronomy and astrophysics
courses are offered by the Physics Department at UMBC.
These courses should be taken and passed (with a grade-B or better)
by students wishing to graduate with an APPH Ph.D. with a
specialization (Thesis-topic) in Astrophysics
as outlined in the APPH/Astro
Policies & Expectations.
Note that there are also additional requirements
for successful graduation outlined in the APPH/Astro
Policies & Expectations.
Graduate Course Descriptions
PHYS631
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The Physics of Astrophysics I
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: None
(at discretion of instructor).
Introduction to the emission, absorption and scattering of radiation
by matter in astrophysical environments, illustrated using recent
results from the astrophysical literature.
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PHYS632
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The Physics of Astrophysics II
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: None
(at discretion of instructor).
The course follows on from PHYS631, and provides an introduction to gas dynamics within astrophysical environments. The focus is on the interactions of matter & radiation with electromagnetic fields on macroscopic scales.
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Cross-listed Undergraduate Course Descriptions
(with Graduate credits available, prequistes don't apply
- Graduate Students should consult with their advisor)
PHYS405
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Stellar Astrophysics
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS304
A survey of the life and death of stars. Topics include star formation, stellar structure and evolution, stellar death (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes), supernovae, binary star systems, accretion onto compact objects and X-ray sources.
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PHYS415
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AstroParticle Physics
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS304
Production and detection of high –energy radiation and particles from astrophysical sources including X-, Gamma, and cosmic-rays. The current technological limitations on the spatial, spectral, and timing analysis of these data will be explored. Students will gain “hands on” experience with real astronomical data obtained from the archival databases and state-of-the-art astronomical software.
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PHYS416
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ExtraGalactic Astronomy & Cosmology
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS304
An advanced study of extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, including evidence for the Big Bang and the expanding universe, the very early universe, inflation theories, the formation of light elements in the early universe, and the thermal history of the universe. It will also include a study of the fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background radiation, the development of primordial fluctuations under gravity, the effect of dark matter on the formation of large-scale structure in the
universe, and the measurement of the cosmological parameters.
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PHYS425
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Relativistic Physics
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS321 & PHYS324
pecial relativity, general relativity from a modern viewpoint, the Schwarzschild solution, other solutions of the Einstein field equation, the role of general relativity in astrophysics and an introduction to the unified field theories.
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