====== AST 301: Introduction to Astrophysics ======
Co-offered with PHY 432

===== - Rationale =====
The course gives an overall introduction to astrophysics using the physics of stars and radiation. First half of the course deals with the structure and evolution of stars, and the second half with different types of astrophysical radiation.

===== - Content =====
^ # ^ Chapter ^ Week ^
| 1 | [[.:ast301:1|Stars in equilibrium]] | 1-5 |
| 2 | [[.:ast301:2|States of stellar matter]] | 5,6 |
| 3 | [[.:ast301:3|Structure of a star]] | 6,7 |
| 4 | [[.:ast301:4|Evolution of a star]] | 7,8 |
| 5 | [[.:ast301:5|Bremsstrahlung radiation]] | 9 |
| 6 | [[.:ast301:6|Blackbody radiation]] | 10 |
| 7 | [[.:ast301:7|Synchrotron radiation]] | 11 |
| 8 | [[.:ast301:8|Hydrogen spin-flip radiation]] | 12 |

===== - Assessment =====
| Attendance | 10 |
| Punctuality | 10 |
| Quizzes | 15 |
| Midterm viva | 20 |
| Final project | 15 |
| Final viva | 30 |

===== - Textbooks =====
  - Hale Bradt, //Astrophysics Processes//, Cambridge UP, 2008.
  - Carroll & Ostlie, //An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics//, Cambridge UP, 2017.