PHY1029 IT and Astrophysics Skills
2011-2012
Code: PHY1029
Level: 1
Title: IT and Astrophysics Skills
Instructors:
Dr F.Y. Ogrin and
Dr J.L. Patience
CATS Credit Value: 15
ECTS Credit Value: 7.5
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Duration:
T1:01-11, T2:06-11
Availability: unrestricted
Background Assumed: -
Total Student Study Time
150 hours, to include:
11×2-hour computer laboratory sessions (IT);
12×3-hour computer laboratory sessions (astrophysics);
22 hours of directed self-study;
70 hours of self-study.
Aims
Every physicist must be able to analyse data, evaluate theoretical models, and present their work in
the form of a technical report. They must also be able to perform investigations, such as
experiments, and solve the problems they encounter in a systematic and logical manner.
Students will start by learning to produce high-quality typeset reports using
LaTeX and a stylesheet.
The second part of the module, introduces the student to the
GNU Octave
numerical mathematics package. The Octave language is essentially the same as the
MATLAB language which is widely used in
commercial and research environments for numerical modelling.
The final part introduces students to computer-aided manipulation and analysis of modern
astrophysical data. They will gain an understanding of the basic properties of digital
imaging and spectroscopy data and how such data are limited by various noise components added in the
signal chain between the astrophysical source and the detection of photons or waves from it. The
students will gain an appreciation of the computer tools and algorithms used to analyse
astrophysical data through a series of short projects based on actual data, with the goal of
producing meaningful scientific results and understanding the uncertainties associated with them.
The module also illustrates the interesting differences of approach needed by 'observational
physics' as opposed to 'experimental physics'.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Module Specific Skills:
- use a numerical language (e.g. Octave) to manipulate data and solve equations using
matrix methods;
- describe the essential components and noise sources in the chain starting from an astrophysical
source and ending with digital data stored in a computer;
- perform basic manipulations and measurements of digital astrophysical data;
- perform simple analyses of the measurements to derive astrophysical results;
- present the manipulation, analysis, and results in a clear, logical fashion,
in written form.
- Discipline Specific Skills:
- use LaTeX and a stylesheet to produce high-quality typeset reports containing mathematical equations,
tables, graphs and diagrams;
- identify the properties and limitations of observational data;
- present results of data analysis in an appropriate fashion;
- apply logic to the solution of problems;
- keep contemporaneous notes in a professional notebook.
- Personal Transferable Skills:
- use a computer to solve problems and produce documents;
- solve problems logically.
- interact with demonstrators in a laboratory environment;
- use the WWW and software tools to enhance learning.
Learning / Teaching Methods
Laboratory classes, short introductory presentations, directed self-study,
handouts and E-Learning resources (ELE PHY1029).
Assessment and Assignments
Contribution | Assessment/Assignment | Size (duration/length) | When |
10% | Mid-Term IT Skills Test 1 | 120 minutes | Week T1:06 |
10% | Mid-Term IT Skills Test 2 | 120 minutes | Week T1:10 |
30% | Class and homework IT Skills assignments | In class + 2 hours each | Weekly T1:01-11 |
50% | Astrophysics Reports | 6×500-word reports and notebooks | Weekly T2:07-11 |
Syllabus Plan and Content
Part A: IT Skills
- Introduction
- Use of the Exeter Virtual Learning Environment.
- The Apple Macintosh
- Graphical User Interface
- using the Mac OS X system
- Network home directories and the file-server
- understanding the local file-server.
- LaTex
- Using LaTeX to create a simple document
- Text
- Equations
- Tables
- Figures
- Using a stylesheet to produce high-quality experiment reports
- Use of Octave with a template for plotting, linear regression analysis, statistical analysis, error bars
- Octave
- Introduction
Range of applications, platform and implementation specific differences, relationship of Octave to MATLAB.
- Fundamentals
User interface, definitions, data structure, commands and functions, matrix operations, 'help' system.
- Input/Output and analysis
Creating files and loading data, working with data, basic plotting, saving workspace ('*.mat' files).
- Numerical integration
Using numerical methods for calculation of integrals
- Fitting
The least-squares criterion, fitting polynomial and exponential functions, 'polyfit' and 'polyval', fitting
data with a linear function, extracting polynomial coefficients, plotting the fitting function, errors.
- Programming
Scripts and functions, creating and executing '*.m' files, basic programming: using 'for' and 'while' loops,
conditional statements 'if', 3-D graphics.
Part B: Astrophysics
- Indicative List of Projects
- Poisson noise
- Luminosity function of a young stellar cluster
- Proper motion of fast-moving stars
- Spectral classification of stars and brown dwarfs
- Classification of galaxy sizes and morphologies
- The rotation of the Sun
Core Text
Not applicable
Supplementary Text(s)
Smith R.C. (
1995),
Observational Astrophysics,
CUP,
ISBN 0-521-27834-1 (UL:
On order)
Formative Mechanisms
Students are able to monitor their learning by attempting the practical
exercises. They are able to discuss these exercises with demonstrators
and the course instructor.
Evaluation Mechanisms
The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.