PSem and MVSem: Physics and populations of stars

Joint BSc and MSc Pflichtseminar in winter term 2023/2024
University of Heidelberg
2 SWS

Wednesday 09:15 AM - 11 AM
First meeting October 18, 2023
Last meeting February 21, 2024
Christmas break: 22.12.23 - 7.1.24

The seminar will take place in SR2.402
Vst.-Nr.: 130000202321141, 130000202321142

Lecturer: Dr. Maria Bergemann
Contact: bergemann at mpia de

Co-lecturer: Philipp Eitner
Contact: eitner at mpia de

This is a mandatory seminar for BSc and MSc students with marks. The seminar will be held in english.

The goal of this course is to deepen knowledge in special topics in modern astrophysics, with a special focus on the astrophysical sources (supernovae type Ia, core-collapse supernovae, asymptotic giant branch stars, neutron star mergers) and synthesis of chemical elements (Big Bang nucleosynthesis, thermonuclear fusion and fission reactions, cosmic ray spallation), physical processes and energy production in stars, chemical evolution of stellar populations in the Milky Way (the disc, the bulge, dark-matter dominated halo), and chemical evolution of other galaxies (spirals, ellipticals, dwarf Spheroidals, ultra-compact dSph systems).

We will not aim to cover comprehensively all aspects of this very broad field, but rather go through the most exciting research problems that occupy central roles in modern astronomy. In addition, we will aim to acquire the following competencies: (a) understanding and "digesting" professional astronomical literature, (b) preparing presentations and giving talks, (c) learning to interact and debate on unresolved problems in modern science.

All students will give a talk (30 minutes + 15 minutes QA). In addition, the students shall provide:
- MSc: 10 (soft limit) page written report and a 2 page handout for the talk
- BSc: 2 page (strict limit) page handout for the talk

A draft of the presentation (slides) shall be provided to the lecturer a week in advance. The handout (BSc, MSc) must be provided to the lecturers no later than 24 hours before the presentation. Attendance is mandatory and can be excused only in exceptional situations.

Only for MSc students:
Credit points (4 + 2 CP, Leistungspunkte)
4 CPs for the presentation and attending the seminar
2 CPs for a written report
both will be graded

Only for BSc students:
Credit points (3 CP, Leistungspunkte)
2 CPs for the presentation and attending the seminar
1 CPs for a written report
both will be graded

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