Admission requirements
Not applicable
Description
The space between the stars is filled with matter, magnetic fields, and radiation. This course describes this ‘interstellar medium’ as an an integral part of galactic ‘ecosystems’. It provides an overview of the known constituents of the ISM (ionized, atomic, and molecular gas; dust; magnetic fields; cosmic rays; EM radiation), and the different environments in which these are encountered (the 2- and 3-phase models of the ISM) along with the observational diagnostics (atomic and molecular spectroscopy; spectral energy distributions). It discusses the physical processes that govern the interactions within the ISM and with stars (energy balance; shocks). And it highlights the relationships between the ISM and stars and their host galaxies (birth and death of stars; supernovae; nuclei of active galaxies).
Course objectives
Through lectures and assignments, the student will gain relevant background information and hands-on experience that will enable him/her to follow the current literature on the interstellar medium and to do research in this field.
Timetable
See MSc schedules
Mode of instruction
Lectures and assignments
Assessment method
Written exam
Active participation in the assignment classes is mandatory. The student can only participate in the exam if all homework assignments have been handed in on time and an overall passing grade has been obtained for the homework.
The final grade is based upon the written exam only.
Blackboard
No
Reading list
Obligatory: Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium A.G.G.M. Tielens, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 9780521533720 (paperback), 9780521826341 (hardback), 9780511126543 (ebook).
Registration
Via uSis
More information about signing up for your classes at the Faculty of Science can be found here
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
For Interest only & Contractual enrollment, please see this website
Contact information
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Xander Tielens
Assistant: Kimberly Emig
See the course website for more information
Remarks
None