Duration
30h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in space sciences, research focus | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in space sciences, professional focus | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Progress made in the past years allowed us to clarify our vision of interstellar and circumstellar chemistry. To date, the number of firmly identified molecules in the interstellar medium is more than 300, thanks to the development of observational instrumentation. Significant progress is expected in this field in the forthcoming years thanks to the advent of large observatories such as ALMA. The processes responsible for the formation of these chemical species, along with their potential filiation, are the subject of many studies.
This course aims at providing an insight into these studies, and into the underlying physical chemistry required to understand them. General notions of chemistry, including elements of organic chemistry, are set out in an astrophysical context, insisting on the impact of the astrophysical environment on the processes responsible for the formation and/or destruction of these molecules. The influence of factors essential for astrochemistry such as cosmic-rays and radiation is especially commented. The issue of the existence of more complex molecules and of potentially prebiotic molecules is discussed. The main methods of spectroscopic identification of molecules in different spectral domains are also briefly discussed.
The evolution of astrophysical environments is also discussed, with emphasis on the effect of this evolution on molecular populations. In particular, the evolution of a molecular cloud up to the formation of a planetary system is discussed, and the prebiotic conditions of the Earth are commented.
Throughout the course, the astrophysical context will be systematically emphasized. Despite the fact astrochemistry deals mainly with physico-chemical processes, the astrophysical foundations of this course constitute a leading component. Under no circumstances should this course be seen as a chemistry course, but rather as an astrophysics course in which the molecular component plays an important role.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
First, this course aims at providing the students with an introductory and general view of processes and phenomena located at the interface between astrophysics and chemistry.This objective concerns mainly the knowledge of these processes and their understanding on adequate physical bases.
Another important objective is to introduce the students to the basics required to access to the specialized literature in astrochemistry. This introduction is therefore expected to provide the students with the necessary autonomy to improve their knowledge of this field by themselves, either for research or personal interest purpose. This objective concerns the application of knowledge and the understanding of concepts, along with a part of synthesis and analysis of information.
Finally, the most ambitious objective is to rise the students up to a level where they can integrate several concepts coming from a priori distinct scientific disciplines. This course constitutes therefore an introduction to pluridisciplinary approaches, that are of increasing importance in modern sciences. This objective pushes further the development of higher level skills such as the capacity of pluridisciplinary synthesis. Such skills are of paramount importance in tackling ambitious scientific questions such as the study of the evolution of abiotic physico-chemical conditions, in connection with the study of the origin of life in the Universe.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
No particular prerequisite.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The theoretical part is organized in lectures illustrated by detailed lecture notes and by slideshows commented by the lecturer.
The practical part of the course consists in individual exercies addressed by students in autonomy. These exercises are partly based on scientific papers that are directly related to the theme of the course. The latter point is in direct relation with one of the main objectives of the course. The learning modules about these exercises are available on e-Campus. At the request of students, these exercises can lead to an inverted class discussion with the teacher.
A self-evaluation multiple choice questionnaire is also organized and the beginning and at the end of the course (IN/OUT questionnaire).
Learning modules and tests related to the content of the course are also made available to students on the e-Campus platform.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The course is mainly organized in theoretical lectures.
The practical part consists in learning modules available on e-Campus illustrating some aspects of the course content. These modules allow students to apply important concepts. Some of these modules consists in a critical discussion of a scientific parper according to guidelines defined by the teacher. The practical modules are made to be explored individually by students, and can lead to subsequent discussions according to an inverted class formula with the teacher at the request of the students.
The presence of students is highly recommended during theoretical lectures.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Lecture notes written in english including the main content of the course will be provided to the students via the e-Campus platform. These lecture notes refer to a detailed bibliography that is adapted to the objectives of the course.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Additional information:
An oral examination is organized at the end of the year. The first part of this examination is based on a scientific paper selected by the students, and the second part is more specifically devoted to the content of the theoretical lectures.
The assessment methods are clarified both in the e-Campus space dedicated to the course and during the lectures.
Work placement(s)
Not applicable.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The main part of the course consists of a theoretical description of various aspects of astrochemistry, spiced with examples found in specialized literature. It is recommended to the students to explore the practical applications gradually after the development of the required knowledge in the theoretical part.
Lectures are organized following the schedule made available to students, with some potential adjustments depending on the availability of students.
Contacts
Michaël De Becker
Phone: 04/3669717
E-mail: Michael.DeBecker@uliege.be
Office: Institut d'Astrophysique et Géophysique, Building B5c, 1st floor, office 1/8