SAO Units

The following units are available for students enrolled in the Masters degree, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate and single-subject entry. Note that some units are prerequisites for others, and not all units are offered each semester. See below for unit scheduling details.

Each unit carries 12.5 credit points, and each semester is 12 weeks in length. Four units (50 credit points) per semester is equivalent full-time load. Degrees are awarded as follows:

Graduate Certificate of Science	50 credit points	4 units
Graduate Diploma of Science	100 credit points	8 units
Master of Science	150 credit points	12 units

Graduate Certificate students may choose any four units, subject to prerequisites. Graduate Diploma and Masters students must complete three core units, which are HET602, HET603 and HET624. Masters students must also complete at least one Major Project unit.

HET602 Exploring the Solar System Unit Outline
- an introductory-level astronomy unit on our solar neighbourhood, introducing the terrestrial and giant planets, minor bodies and the Sun. The emphasis is on conceptual astronomy rather than mathematical techniques and no background knowledge is assumed.

HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way Unit Outline
- an introductory-level astronomy unit on the birth, life and death of stars and the structure of our galaxy. The emphasis is on conceptual astronomy rather than mathematical techniques and no background knowledge is assumed.

HET624 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe Unit Outline
- an introductory-level astronomy unit on galaxies & galaxy clustering, theories of dark matter, and galaxy formation and evolution. The emphasis is on conceptual astronomy rather than mathematical techniques and no background knowledge is assumed.

HET625 Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe Unit Outline
- an introduction to cosmology, including the physics of the early Universe, dark matter and dark energy, and the evolution of the observed large-scale structure. This unit assumes knowledge of introductory, tertiary (post-secondary) level mathematics & physics, plus familiarity with the content of Galaxies and their Place in the Universe.
Prerequisite: HET624 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos) or equivalent.

HET606 Tools of Modern Astronomy Unit Outline
- an introduction to electromagnetic radiation, from gamma-rays to radio waves, focusing on both its emission and subsequent detection. The emphasis will be on telescopes and their observations. This unit assumes familiarity with the content of Exploring Stars and the Milky Way.
Prerequisite: HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

HET607 History of Astronomy Unit Outline
- investigating the development & impact of astronomy from ancient times to the present day, from the viewpoint of practicing astronomers. No background knowledge of astronomy or physics is assumed.

HET608 Introductory Radio Astronomy & SETI Unit Outline
- an overview of both single- and multiple-dish radio astronomy and their applications, plus a study of the history, principles, techniques and societal issues of an area where radio astronomy plays a key part: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). No background knowledge of astronomy or physics is assumed.

HET609 Astrophotography and CCD Imaging Unit Outline
- the principles behind the imaging of astronomical objects with telescopes, conventional cameras and CCD cameras, plus the use of computer techniques for image processing. This unit will focus particularly on techniques and equipment within reach of the (existing or intending) serious amateur astronomer, and assumes familiarity with the content of Exploring Stars and the Milky Way.
Prerequisite: HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

HET610 Studies in Space Exploration Unit Outline
- the basic principles, issues and science goals in space exploration, tracing its history and development with particular reference to manned versus unmanned space exploration, spacecraft design, launch and navigation, imaging and remote sensing. Public perception of space science and analysis of the costs, risks & benefits of space exploration will be discussed with special reference to ethical and legal implications of topics such as the use of radioisotope fuel sources, 'space junk' and mining rights in space. This unit assumes familiarity with the content of Exploring the Solar System.
Prerequisite: HET602 Exploring the Solar System or equivalent

HET611 Stellar Astrophysics Unit Outline
- following on from HET603, this unit aims to cover the the physical processes underlying stellar properties and the principles behind models of stellar evolution. This unit assumes knowledge of introductory, tertiary (post-secondary) level mathematics & physics, plus familiarity with the content of Exploring Stars and the Milky Way.
Prerequisite: HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent

HET612 Major Project - History of Astronomy Unit Outline / Project List
- develops a detailed knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect or period of the history of astronomy. Students will develop their practical literature and Internet research skills, plus synthesis and communication skills. This unit assumes familiarity with the content of History of Astronomy.
Prerequisite:HET607 History of Astronomy or equivalent

HET614 Introduction to Particle Physics and High Energy Astrophysics Unit Outline
- an introduction to particle physics in general and to modern high-energy astrophysics in particular. This unit assumes familiarity with Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe.
Prerequisite: HET625 Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe (or HET605 Theories of Space and Time), or equivalent

HET615 Major Project - Observational Astronomy Unit Outline / Project List
- develops a detailed knowledge and understanding of the principles involved in a particular aspect or application of astrophotography and/or CCD imaging, and provides practical experience in the techniques involved in astrophotography and/or CCD imaging. Students will develop their ability to keep a comprehensive record of experimental investigations, to write a detailed summary report of techniques used and investigations undertaken, and to communicate effectively about the outcomes of their work. This unit assumes familiarity with the content of Astrophotography and CCD Imaging.
Prerequisite: HET609 Astrophotography and CCD Imaging or equivalent

HET616 Great Debates in Astronomy Unit Outline
- investigates in depth the great debates in astronomy which have shaped (or still are shaping) our current understanding of the universe and its evolution. This unit assumes familiarity with the content of Galaxies and their Place in the Universe and History of Astronomy.)
Prerequisites:HET624 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos), and HET607 History of Astronomy, or equivalent.

HET617 Major Project - Computational Astrophysics Unit Outline / Project List
- develops a detailed understanding of specific astrophysical concepts with the aid of computer simulations, and provides practical experience in the use of numerical modelling and data analysis. Students will develop their ability to keep a comprehensive record of experimental investigations, to write a detailed summary report of techniques used and investigations undertaken, and to communicate effectively about the outcomes of their work. This unit assumes familiarity with Galaxies and their Place in the Universe, plus introductory tertiary (post-secondary) level mathematics and physics (or equivalent).
Prerequisite: HET624 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos) or equivalent (and note that some modules also have additional prerequisites of HET602 or HET611).

HET618 Astrobiology and the Origins of Life Unit Outline
- provides an overview of the multi-disciplinary nature of astrobiology - combining geology, chemistry, biology and astronomy. It will investigate the origins and evolution of life on Earth, the interaction between life and its environment, and the search for life elsewhere in the Solar System and beyond. This unit assumes familiarity with Exploring the Solar System and Exploring Stars and the Milky Way.
Prerequisite: HET602 Exploring the Solar System and HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

HET619 Major Project - Astronomy & Astrophysics Unit Outline / Project Information
- develops a detailed knowledge and understanding of the principles involved in a particular aspect or application of astronomy and/or astrophysics, and provides practical experience in the techniques involved in astronomy and/or astrophysics. Students will develop their ability to keep a comprehensive record of experimental investigations, to write a detailed summary report of techniques used and investigations undertaken, and to communicate effectively about the outcomes of their work. This unit assumes familiarity with Exploring the Solar System , Exploring Stars and the Milky Way and Galaxies and their Place in the Universe. Enrolment is subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite:HET602 Exploring the Solar System , HET603 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way and HET624 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos) or equivalent.

HET620 Planetary Science Unit Outline
- provides a detailed understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of planetary science - combining astronomy, geology, chemistry, and atmospheric science. It will investigate the origins and evolution of our Solar System, the terrestrial and giant planets, planetary atmospheres and surface phenomena. This unit assumes familiarity with Exploring the Solar System .
Prerequisite: HET602 Exploring the Solar System or equivalent.

Scheduling Details

(subject to change)

Notes:

n/o

Code	Unit	Credit Points
Code	Unit	Sem 1 2012	Sem 2 2012	Sem 1 2013	Sem 2 2013	Sem 1 2014	Sem 2 2014
HET602	Exploring the Solar System*	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5
HET603	Exploring Stars & the Milky Way*	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5
HET624	Galaxies & their Place in the Universe*	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5
HET625	Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o
HET606	Tools of Modern Astronomy	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5
HET607	History of Astronomy*	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5
HET608	Introductory Radio Astronomy & SETI*	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o
HET609	Astrophotography & CCD Imaging	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o
HET610	Studies in Space Exploration	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5
HET611	Stellar Astrophysics	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o
HET612	Major Project - History of Astronomy	n/o	12.5	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o
HET614	Intro to Particle Physics & High Energy Astrophysics^#	n/o	n/o	n/o	12.5	n/o	n/o
HET615	Major Project - Observational Astronomy	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5
HET616	Great Debates in Astronomy^#	n/o	n/o	12.5	n/o	n/o	n/o
HET617	Major Project - Computational Astrophysics	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5	n/o	12.5
HET618	Astrobiology and the Origins of Life^#	n/o	n/o	n/o	n/o	n/o	12.5
HET619	Major Project - Astronomy & Astrophysics	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5
HET620	Planetary Science^#	n/o	12.5	n/o	n/o	12.5	n/o

From 2013 onwards, we anticipate offering HET618 + HET620 in one year and HET616 + HET614 in the following year. Thus each of these four units will only be offered once every two years.