- UCAS course code
- F305
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Physics (MPhys)
MPhys Physics
Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.
- Typical A-level offer: A*A*A including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .
Course unit details:
Stars and Stellar Evolution
Unit code | PHYS30692 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | Department of Physics & Astronomy |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Stars and Stellar Evolution
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology | PHYS10191 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Electromagnetism | PHYS20141 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Statistical Mechanics | PHYS20352 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Follow - Up units
PHYS40591 - Radio Astronomy
PHYS40771 - Gravitation
Aims
To apply the fundamental physics laws to understand the physics of stellar structure.
Learning outcomes
Syllabus
1. Observed properties of stars
Measurement of stellar distances, luminosities, temperatures. Masses and radii. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
2. Equations of Stellar structure
Time scales. Fundamental equations: mass conservation, hydrostatic equilibrium, energy transport. The virial theorem. Radiative transport and convection.
3. Equations of State
Pressure as function of temperature and density for: Photons, Ideal gas, Degenerate electron gas. Mean molecular weight. Ionization.
4. Radiative transfer and opacity Optical depth. Rosseland Mean Opacity. Opacity mechanisms. Applications to stars
5. Nuclear fusion in stars Energy yields. Cross sections: the Gamow peak, reaction rates, and their temperature dependence. Reaction chains in stars. Neutrinos.
6. Stellar modelling
Limits to the mass. Solving the coupled equations. Simple analytic stellar models: polytropes and other relations. Numerical models. The Eddington luminosity. Dimensional analysis and mass-radius relations. The HR diagram.
7. Asteroseismology Pressure and gravity waves; helioseismology; application to other stars
8. Early stellar evolution
The Hayashi line. Onset of nuclear burning. Main sequence evolution. Life times.
9. Post-main sequence evolution
Isothermal cores. Shell burning. Degeneracy: the helium flash. The RGB and the AGB. Mass loss. White dwarfs. Core collapse. Supernovae.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be available on students’ individual written solutions to examples sheets and online tests, and model answers will be issued.
Recommended reading
Recommended text
Prialnik, D. An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution 2nd Ed (CUP 2009)
Useful references
Kippenhahn, Weiss & Weigert: Stellar Structure and Evolution, 2nd Ed, (Springer 2012)
Clayton, D.D. Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis (University of Chicago 1984)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
Lectures | 23 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 75.5 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
John Leahy | Unit coordinator |