SAO Units

To see which units are available for students enrolled in the Masters degree, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate and single-subject entry, please visit the Swinburne homepage and search on the keyword "astronomy" and then scroll down to select the Astronomy Course. From this, one can find the following options

Note that some units are prerequisites for others, and not all units are offered each semester.

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:

Note: Changes to available units

Due to a number of factors, for the time being the School within which SAO resides has decided to retire three SAO units (from the previous offering of 15).

AST80008 History of Astronomy
AST80012 Major Project History of Astronomy
AST80014 Major Project Astronomy & Astrophysics

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

Required Units of Study

For students who first enrolled in the program from 2011 to 2014

Graduate Certificate students may choose any four units, subject to prerequisites. Graduate Diploma and Masters students must complete three core units, which are AST80005 (formerly HET602), AST80004 (formerly HET603) and AST80006 (formerly HET624). Masters students must also complete at least one Major Project unit.
(Note: the above units rules do not apply to students who commenced their program studies prior to 2010.)

For students who first enrolled in the program from 2015

Please refer to https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/prospective/units_of_study.xml

Please note that from Semester 1, 2014 the Unit codes for SAO have changed (from HET6XX to AST8XXXX).

AST80004 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.

AST80005 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.

AST80006 (co-coded AST20003) 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.

AST80001 (co-coded AST20002) 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.

AST80017 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 crewed versus uncrewed 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.

AST80002 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: AST80004 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

AST80015 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: AST80005 Exploring the Solar System or equivalent.

AST80018 Professional Tools for Astronomical Observation Unit Outline
Prior to 2023, this Unit was called "Tools of Modern Astronomy".
- 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: AST80004 Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

AST80016 Stellar Astrophysics Unit Outline
- following on from AST80004 (formerly 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: AST80004 (HET603) Exploring Stars and the Milky Way or equivalent.

AST80003 (co-coded AST30002) 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: AST80006 Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos) or equivalent.

AST80011 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: AST80006 (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 AST80005 (HET602) or AST80016 (HET611)).

AST80013 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: AST80002 (HET609) Astrophotography and CCD Imaging or equivalent.

AST80008 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.

AST80012 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:AST80008 (HET607) History of Astronomy or equivalent

AST80014 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:AST80005 (HET602) Exploring the Solar System , AST80004 (HET603) Exploring Stars and the Milky Way and AST80006 (HET624) Galaxies and their Place in the Universe (or HET604 Exploring Galaxies and the Cosmos) or equivalent.

What follows forms a legacy archive of an example Unit scheduling.
Post 2022, Unit outlines and availability should be checked at the three links at the top of this page.

Scheduling Details

Notes:

    AST80008 History of Astronomy – will be offered in SP2/SP3 2019 for the last time.
    AST80012 Major Project History of Astronomy - will be offered in S1/SP1 2020 for the last time.
    AST80014 Major Project Astronomy & Astrophysics - will be offered in S1/SP1 2020 for the last time.
    * indicates units that do not have prerequisites.
    # indicates units not offered every year.
    n/o = not offered
    tbd = to be decided which semester.
Code Unit Credit Points
Sem 1/SP1
2024		 Sem 2/SP3
2024		 Sem 1/SP1
2025		 Sem 2/SP3
2025
AST80004 Exploring Stars & the Milky Way* 12.5 n/o 12.5 n/o
AST80005 Exploring the Solar System* n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80006/
AST20003		 Galaxies & their Place in the Universe* 12.5 12.5 12.5 n/o
AST80001/
AST20002		 Astrobiology and the Origins of Life* 12.5 n/o 12.5 n/o
AST80017 Studies in Space Exploration* n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80002 Astrophotography & CCD Imaging 12.5 n/o 12.5 n/o
AST80015 Planetary Science n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80018 Professional Tools for Astronomical Observation n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80003/
AST30002		 Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe 12.5 n/o 12.5 n/o
AST80011 Major Project - Computational Astrophysics 12.5 n/o 12.5 n/o
AST80013 Major Project - Observational Astronomy n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80016 Stellar Astrophysics n/o 12.5 n/o 12.5
AST80008 History of Astronomy*# - - - -
AST80012 Major Project - History of Astronomy - - - -
AST80014 Major Project - Astronomy & Astrophysics - - - -

Note: Major Project units (AST80011,12,13,14), as their name suggests, contain a major research project assessment component.
Dates for Study Period 1 and 3 (SP1 & SP3) can be found here, noting that SAO commences in Week 0, one week before Week 1.

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