What is There in the Universe: Inside the Milky Way? (NS 206)

2025 Fall
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences(NS)
3
6/5 ECTS (for students admitted in the 2013-14 Academic Year or following years)
Ünal Ertan unal@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
NS101
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture
Interactive,Discussion based learning,Task based learning
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CONTENT

The structures of the Milky Way starting from the solar system: the sun and the planets. Stars and star clusters. How does a star shine - stellar structure and evolution. End points of stellar evolution - black holes, white dwarfs and neutron stars. Methods of observation across the electromagnetic spectrum. Satellite observatories and space research.

OBJECTIVE

Refer to the course outline.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Describe the physical principles that govern the motions of the planets and the stellar systems.
  • Define the basic properties of electromagnetic radiation and spectrum.
  • Explain the basic radiation mechanism of stars.
  • Describe the methods of distance, velocity, mass and radius measurements of stars.
  • Explain the formation and evolution of stars.
  • Describe the formation of the elements inside the stars.
  • Discuss formation and properties of the end products of stellar evolution: White dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 5

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 5

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 5

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 4

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 2


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science, fundamental engineering, computational methods and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 2

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems while considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals; choose and apply suitable analysis, design, estimation/prediction and modeling methods for this purpose. 2

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 2

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling creative current and future requirements. 2

5. Use research methods, including conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, performing experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and interpreting results, to investigate complex engineering problems or discipline-specific research topics. 3

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management, change management, and economic feasibility analysis; awareness on entrepreneurship and innovation. 2

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions on society, health and safety, the economy, sustainability, and the environment within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; awareness of acting impartially and inclusively without any form of discrimination; act in accordance with ethical principles, possessing knowledge of professional and ethical responsibilities. 3

8. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on technical subjects, considering the diverse characteristics of the target audience (such as education, language, and profession). 3

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 50
Midterm 50

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

Astronomy Today, 9th Ed. E. Chaisson and S. McMillan

Optional Readings

Suggested readings related to new developments or discoveries in the area of astronomy and astrophysich through science web pages.