Topics in Physics and Astronomy (2026/2027: Semester 2 – Spring)

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Cursusdoel

After completing this course students are able to:
  1. Are familiar with some of the current leading research areas in physics and their relevance in advancing technology and interdisciplinary approaches to help resolving societal challenges, such as climate change and sustainable sources of energy.
  2. communicate and illustrate how knowledge from physics contributes to other disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, materials and neurosciences.
  3. Understand the variety of imaging modes in electron microscopy, how it provides single-atom resolution, and how due to tomography it can be employed to obtain 3D reconstructions of nanoscale objects.
  4. Describe how spectroscopic methods in electron microscopy can provide information about chemical composition and electronic state of nano-scale materials.
  5. Have a basic knowledge of the large-scale structure of the universe, how extra-galactic distances are measured, and how multiple observational data suggest the existence of dark matter.
  6. Have a good understanding of the main physical properties such as temperature, size and luminosity, and how these relate to apparent and absolute magnitudes.
  7. apply knowledge about stellar evolution to describe how stars evolve from a white dwarf, to a neutron star or a black hole.
  8. read non-technical research articles in astrophysics and lead discussions about their results and implications.
Description of assignmentAssesses which learning goals?
  1. Tomography, oral presentation
  2. Tomography, written evaluation
  3. Astrophysics, oral presentation
  4. Astrophysics, written evaluation
1, 2
1, 2, 3, 4
5, 8
5, 6, 7, 8

Vakinhoudelijk

This course is the physics track finisher aimed both at students interested in broadening their knowledge of modern physics in the spirit of liberal arts and science education, and those planning to pursue post-graduate studies in physics and/or astronomy. The first topic offers the potential for interdisciplinary research and/or relevance for contemporary societal challenges, for instance, biophysics, materials science, climate change, and sustainability. The second topic offers an introduction to astrophysics. The course is relevant for physics students as it complements several of the track objectives, in particular those related to planning research projects and applying knowledge from physics to solve complex, societal problems.
Format
In this course students study and explore two different research topics, one from physics, the other from astronomy. Each topic has its own supervisor and lasts seven weeks. Students are assigned textbook chapters and/or articles to read and analyze. More specifically, they are asked to identify and explain how different research questions are addressed, and to search for further scientific literature by themselves. Students learn primarily via guided discussion with the instructors. Self-study in preparation for these meetings is essential. There may also be guest lectures, opportunities to meet with experts, or a visit to a research laboratory or institute.

Werkvormen

UCU sci 3 course

Toetsing

Tomography, written evaluation

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Astrophysics, written evaluation

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Tomography, oral presentation

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Astrophysics, oral presentation

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er moet voldaan zijn aan minimaal één van de cursussen:

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Interdisciplinariteit
  • Kritisch lezen
  • Presenteren

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • DIVERSE
    Chapter 7. Electron Microscopy Techniques, in ‘Nanoparticles: Workhorses of Nanoscience’ (ed. C. de Mello Donega, Springer Nature, 2024, provided by teacher)
  • DIVERSE
    `Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics’, Zeilik & Gregor (Cengage Learning, 1997)

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Coördinator

F.M. Lopes da Costa Freire f.freire@uu.nl

Docenten

F.M. Lopes da Costa Freire f.freire@uu.nl
prof. dr. ir. M.A. van Huis M.A.vanHuis@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

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