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PHYC40030

Academic Year 2026/2027

Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium (PHYC40030)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Rebeca Garcia Lopez
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module addresses how galaxies form, are classified and how they cluster in space. The Milky Way Galaxy will be discussed in detail. A distinction will be drawn between Normal and Active galaxies. The powering of Active galaxies by supermassive black holes will be discussed in the context of the luminosities of galaxies. Galactic rotation curves will be discussed from the perspective of the estimation of galaxy masses. Such measurements suggest the underlying presence of dark matter which is not directly detectable.A description of modern cosmology will be given, based on experimental data from contemporary observations. Evidence for the accelerated expansion of the universe will be presented which points to the presence of a dark energy component of the cosmos that contributes a weak repulsive force throughout spacetime, underpinning the accelerated expansion.Additionally the interstellar medium will be introduced in particular with respect to describing the structure, dynamics and evolution of galaxies.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to describe:(1) The Milky Way Galaxy.(2) Galaxy evolution and the classification of galaxies.(3) The interstellar medium(4) Cosmological Models.

Indicative Module Content:

(1) Introduction

Measuring Stellar Distances
Luminosity, brightness, and magnitudes
Temperature and Spectral types
The HR diagram, stellar evolution
Introduction to the distance ladder and redshift

(2) The Milky Way

Components of the Milky Way
Size of the Milky Way
The Interstellar Medium
Extinction and Reddening, extinction curves
Types of Nebulae
Composition and origin of the dust
Interstellar gas: Hydrogen, HII regions, Molecules
Metallicity and Stellar populations
Globular clusters
The distance to the Galactic Centre
The mass of the Milky Way
The rotation curve of the Milky Way
Main components of the Milky Way
The stellar and gas disk components
Thin and thick disk
Formation of the Spiral arms
The halo and the bulge
The super massive black hole at the centre of the Galaxy

(3) Extragalactic astronomy

Hubble classification of galaxies
Main characteristics of Hubble class galaxies
Measuring the mass of galaxies.
Population synthesis
Measuring distances and calibrating the distance ladder
Galaxy formation and evolution

(4) Active Galaxies

Main observational characteristics of active galaxies
Types of Active Galaxies
The unified Model

(5) Observational Cosmology

Spatial distribution of galaxies (large scale structure)
Masses of clusters
Cosmology observations
Cosmological principle
Introduction to cosmological models
Homogeneous and isotropic universes
The Friedmann models
Standard models
Cosmological tests
Very brief history of the universe: nucleosynthesis.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, and graded assignments.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

PHYC10050 : Astronomy & Space Science
PHYC20040 : Exploring the Solar System
PHYC30100 : Stellar Astrophysics & Astronomical Techniques
Some knowledge of python is recommended.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignments will be provided through the trimester covering important concepts of the module. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): In person exam (closed-book) at the end of the trimester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Graded assignment mark + feedback given.

Name Role
Mr Conor O Toole Tutor
Mr Conor O'Toole Tutor
Professor Emma Sokell Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
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