Please note that this course description is preliminary. The final course description will be released in the Summer of 2019.
Admission requirements
Astronomy bachelor's courses Radiative processes, Quantum Mechanics 1 and Quantum Mechanics 2
Description
The space between the stars is not empty but filled with a very dilute gas with extremely low densities and temperatures, providing a unique laboratory with conditions not normally encountered on Earth. A surprisingly rich chemistry occurs in these so-called interstellar clouds, as evidenced by the discovery of nearly 150 different molecules. Some of these species were found in space before they were identified in a laboratory on Earth. How are these molecules formed? Where are they found and how do astronomers identify them? How do their abundances differ from place to place and what does this tell us about the structure of the region? How do the abundances evolve from cold clouds to planet-forming disks, where they can form the basis for prebiotic species?
The outline of the course is as follows:
Basic principles of gas-phase and gas-grain chemical reactions
Chemistry in the early Universe
Chemistry in diffuse and translucent clouds, and in photon-dominated regions
Chemistry in shocks
Evolution of molecular abundances from dark pre-stellar cores to star-forming regions
Chemistry in protoplanetary disks and links with comets
Course objectives
The student will gain relevant background information that will enable him/her to follow the current literature on Astrochemistry and to do research in this field. The student will also acquire hands-on experience with running molecular excitation and chemical network codes, and make predictions for ALMA.
Soft skills
In this course, students will be trained in the following behaviour-oriented skills:
Structured thinking (structure, modulated thinking, computational thinking, programming)
Verbal communication (presenting, speaking, listening)
Critical thinking (asking questions, check assumptions)
Creative thinking (resourcefulness, curiosity, thinking out of the box)
Timetable
See Astronomy master schedules
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Exercise classes
Assessment method
Oral exam (by appointment): 100%
Presentation (optional): 50% (if chosen, the oral exam is only on half of the course and counts for 50%)
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used to communicate with students and to share lecture slides, homework assignments, and any extra materials. You must enroll on Blackboard before the first lecture. To have access, you need a student ULCN account.
Reading list
Handouts of lecture notes, both on paper and electronically on website
The physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium, Tielens, ISBN 9780521826341, chapters 4, 5, 9, 10 (background)
Registration
Via uSis. More information about signing up for your classes can be found here. Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contact information
Lecturer: Prof.dr. E.F. (Ewine) van Dishoeck
Assistant: Margot Leemker