KL7002 - Advanced Solar Physics

The module is delivered using a substantial amount of directed independent learning supported by lectures and seminars and practical computer programming workshops. The teaching strategy consists of a rotation system where lectures, seminars and workshops are delivered by staff members from the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Electric Engineering. Each participating member of staff is in charge of one Special Topic.

Lectures are used to introduce an overview of a Special Topic at the forefront of astrophysics along with a contextual background of the current research landscape linked to that topic. Seminars and workshops are used to steer the students learning and to give feedback on on-going assignments.

This module provides a collegial environment for active scientific discussion and engagement, thus strengthening your employability through knowledge and critical thinking about special topics in Astrophysics and the current Astrophysics research landscape. This is augmented through technology-enhanced learning opportunities for example use of the industry standard software, e.g. Interactive Data Language or Python.

Independent study is supported by further technology-enhanced resources provided via the e-learning portal, including lecture notes and source open-access journal papers. You will be provided with a reading list and a list of aspects of the topic to be further developed as an assignment. Coursework is developed through various routes. An indicative, non-prescriptive, list of activities incudes consultation of textbooks and research papers, mathematical modelling work and computational laboratory work.

The assessment consists of two coursework portfolios (50%, 50%) with each relating to one ST in Astrophysics covered in the module. Feedback will be provided individually. The module will make use of Electronic submission, assessment and feedback. Formative feedback will be provided during seminars and workshops.

Lectures will be the main point of academic contact, offering you with a formal teaching environment for core learning. Seminars will provide you with opportunities for critical enquiry and exchanges. Workshops will give you practical hands-on experience in the development and application of computational methods to research topic problems. Written feedback will be provided on coursework. Formative feedback will be provided during seminars and workshops. Feedback will be provided individually and also generically to indicate where the cohort has a strong or a weaker answer to specific questions.

Outside formal scheduled teaching, you will be able to contact the module team (module tutor, year tutor, programme leader) either via email or the open door policy operated throughout the programme.

Further academic support will be provided through technology-enhanced resources via the e-learning portal. You will have the opportunity to give their feedback formally through periodic staff-student committees and directly to the module tutor at the end of the semester.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Analyse advanced concepts in astrophysics from areas at the forefront of the discipline, and to apply such ideas to problems at a conceptual and mathematical level.
2. Apply advanced concepts in astrophysics to topics studied in class using computational means.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Evaluate the application of special topics in astrophysics in the context of the current research landscape in the field.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Manage your own learning, through knowledge of available reading sources, including advanced texts and research papers and scientific databases.
5. Effectively and concisely communicate complex astrophysics-based ideas in written form.

The assessment consists of two coursework assignments (worth 50% and 50%) each relating to one special topic in Astrophysics covered in the module. One coursework will be a problem-based assignment (maximum 2000 words/20 pages) and the second will be a computational assignment (maximum 20 pages).

SUMMATIVE
1. Coursework (50% Problem-based) – MLOs 1,3,4,5
2. Coursework (50% Computational) – MLOs 2,3,4,5

FORMATIVE
1. Seminars – MLOs 1,3,4,5
2. Workshops – MLOs 2,3,4,5

Feedback will be provided individually and also generically to indicate where the cohort has a strong or a weaker answer to questions.

Written feedback will be provided on coursework.
Formative feedback will be provided during seminars and workshops.

N/A

N/A

In ‘Advanced Solar Physics’, you will investigate astrophysics topics using the Sun, our nearest star, as a physics laboratory. You will consider the physical processes of the solar interior and atmosphere, as well as learning about state-of-the-art solar observations such as sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections. This you will do by constructing and applying mathematical models to describe fundamental observations and processes, which include the interaction between magnetic fields and plasma (hot charged gas).

You will be attending formal lectures during which you will become conversant with observational techniques and theory. An assignment portfolio during the course will cover the special topics. ‘Advanced Solar Physics’ provides you with useful preparation for employment with the development of new skills (data analysis, computing programming proficiency), for example in the increasingly important space sector, or as preparation for further graduate study.