Module manager: Prof Mark Thompson
Email: M.A.Thompson@Leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Pass in first year physics
| PHAS2000 | 2nd year Physics Assessment |
| PHAS2010 | Quantum Mechanics |
| PHAS2020 | Statistical Mechanics and Computation |
| PHAS2030 | Condensed Matter Physics |
| PHAS2040 | Electromagnetism |
| PHAS2100 | Experimental Physics and Extended Investigation |
| PHAS2150 | Experimental Physics and Astrophysics |
| PHAS2200 | Astrophysics and Experimental Skills |
PHYS2150, PHYS2015
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module concerns evolution of stars, high energy phenomena that result from the evolution of stars and galaxies, and practical skills in observational astronomy and physics. Students will learn about the structure and evolution of single stars, before going on to the evolution of binary stars and the extreme conditions resulting from their end points.
During this module, students will learn about the physical processes that govern the structure and evolution of stars. These include nuclear fusion, radiative transfer, convective energy transport, degenerate matter, and stellar mass loss mechanisms. Students will also be introduced to the radiative processes relevant to emission regions with temperatures in excess of one million degrees and/or containing non-thermal particles. Such radiative processes operate in supernovae explosions, pulsars and accretion discs and jets in evolved binary systems and around super-massive black holes at the centres of galaxies.
On successful completion of the module students be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. the physical principles and equations governing the structure of stars;
2. the physical changes that take place as stars evolve;
3. the end points in the lives of stars of different initial masses;
4. the spectra associated with different high energy emission mechanisms;
5. the primary process by which non-thermal particles are accelerated and the role of accretion in high-energy sources;
6. the emission from binary systems;
7. the processes occurring in Active Galactic Nuclei;
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a- Problem solving
b- Application of appropriate mathematics
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 52 | 1 | 52 |
| Private study hours | 148 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 52 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback:
workshop sessions
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team