The Physics of the Interstellar Medium
The course provides an overview of the structure and composition of the interstellar medium (ISM), and the physical processes acting therein. Course knowledge is used to gain insights to star-formation and galaxy evolution and explain observations of everything other than stars.
You will study the structure and composition of gas and dust in the Milky Way and other galaxies. You will learn how various components assemble to make a working galaxy and produce the environments in which stars are born. This will include the physical process that regulate gaseous properties such as heating, cooling, and dynamical processes like shocks. You will see how atomic and molecular structure give rise to observable phenomena, and how we can use observations of gas and dust to infer their basic thermodynamic and chemical properties.
Information for admitted students autumn 2024
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Everyone admitted to a course at the Department of Astronomy will receive a welcome letter with information via e-mail. If you have not receive an e-mail by August, please contact our study advisor! Unfold and read more.
Roll-call
Courses at the Department of Astronomy do not have a roll-call. Instead the course starts with the first lecture.
Registration
After being admitted to a course, you must register to confirm that you are starting your studies. For most of our courses this can be done online using your university account. Registration normally opens two weeks before the course starts and you must have registered at the latest one week after. If you have any problems with registration, contact our Student office. Contact details can be found below.
Click here to register online.
Learning platform
All courses at our department use the Athena learning platform. Once registered, the course should appear automatically in Athena. If you cannot find the course, contact the Student office.
Conditionally admitted
If you are conditionally admitted to a course at our department you need to contact our Academic advisor before you can register. Contact us as soon as possible, well before the course starts. Contact details are found further down on this web page.
Applicants on waiting list
Are you placed on a waiting list to any of our courses? You will always be contacted by e-mail if you are offered a place. Normaly we will not admit new students if more than 1 week has passed after the first lecture.
Find the Departmend of Astronomy
All our courses are held in the AlbaNova building, located between the Frescati campus and the Royal Institute of Technology (Tekniska högskolan, KTH).
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
You will study the structure and composition of gas and dust in the Milky Way and other galaxies. You will learn how various components assemble to make a working galaxy and produce the environments in which stars are born. This will include the physical process that regulate gaseous properties such as heating, cooling, and dynamical processes like shocks. You will see how atomic and molecular structure give rise to observable phenomena, and how we can use observations of gas and dust to infer their basic thermodynamic and chemical properties.
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Course structure
This is a mandatory course on the Masters’ program, but can also be taken as a free-standing course. It is given during the day at a pace of 50%.
Teaching format
The course comprises lectures, seminars and individual student presentations.
Assessment
There are three modes of assessment in the course, each comprising 1/3.
- Individual literature search and review projects on an ISM-related topic of the student’s choice. Includes report and presentation.
- Solution of a number of quantitative exercises, both analytical and numerical
- A written exam at the end of the course.
Examiner
Matthew Hayes
E-mail: matthew.hayes@astro.su.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course textbook: Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium, Bruce T. Drain, Princeton University Press, 6th printing.
Other Userful texts: Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei, Donald E Osterbrock and Gary J Ferland, University Science Boos, 2nd edition.
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Course reports
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Contact
The academic advisor and student office can be contacted via studieinfo@astro.su.se.
