| Univ. Belgrade Prof. D. Urošević | Physics of Interstellar Matter (S2, compulsory, 6 ECTS) |
| Learning Outcomes: | Physics of Interstellar Medium (ISM) is an intermediate-level course that will primarily provide introduction to this field. After the course, student should be able to easily understand PhD-level courses of the subject and be capable to start an independent research especially in the field of physics of emission nebulae. |
| Knowledge and Understanding: | The aim of the course is learning basic and some advanced topics in the field of physics of interstellar medium. After the course, student should possess advanced knowledge in astrophysics of different forms in which interstellar medium can exist (e.g. observational properties of ISM, classification, structure and radiation mechanisms, forms of ISM across the electromagnetic spectrum, ISM ecology, etc.), and the perception to connect, recognize and apply the same physical processes in different astrophysical objects. Finally, students should be capable to perform independent research in the previously mentioned subjects. |
| Applying Knowledge and Understanding: | The course consists of a theoretical training base, in order to acquire all the mathematical and physical knowledge necessary for understanding different forms of ISM and processes happening in them. Additionally, students will be introduced in particular research topics related to physics of emission nebulae. Finally, students can decide to be included in the research in this field. |
| Prerequisites | Fundamental theoretical knowledge in astrophysics. |
| Program | Program of the course covers the following themes: Introduction in ISM. Cold (atomic and molecular) ISM gas. Ionized (worm and hot) ISM gas. Dust. ISM at high energies (cosmic rays, gamma radiation). Heating and cooling of ISM. Shocks and fronts. Emission nebulae. Particle acceleration. |
| Description of how the course is conducted | Classroom lectures, possible small research project. |
| Description of the didactic methods | Lectures are in the form of presentations, with enough time dedicated to questions and discussions. |
| Description of the evaluation methods | After the end of lectures students will have a written exam (a multiple choice test) and an oral exam. Also, the activity on the lectures will enter the final grade. |
| Adopted Textbooks | Lequeux, J., Falgarone, E. & Ryter, C. “The Interstellar Medium” Springer (2004) |
| Recommended readings | Bojan Arbutina “Evolution of Supernovae Remnants” Publ. Astron. Obs. Belgrade, 97,1 (2017) Neb Duric “Advanced Astrophysics” Cambridge University Press (2004) Malcolm S. Longair “High Energy Astrophysics, vol.2” Cambridge University Press (2002) Frank Shu “Physics of Astrophysics, vol.2” University Science Books (1992) |
