UNISA Astronomy Course Module 2025-2026
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: AST1534, MAT1503, MAT1512, PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506
NQF Level: 6: APM2611, AST2651, AST2652, AST2655, MAT2615, MAT1613, PHY1604
NQF Level: 7: APM3712, APM3713, AST3755, AST3763
Astronomy (with Astronomy and Applied Mathematics major)
General Information: In this case another combination of four APM modules on NQF Level: 7 may be selected. Seven modules at NQF Level: 5 or NQF Level: 7 (at least 2 must be at
NQF Level: 7) are needed to complete the degree and can be selected from any other BSc subjects.
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: APM1513, AST1534, MAT1503, MAT1512, PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506
NQF Level: 6: APM1612, APM2611, AST2651, AST2652, AST2655, MAT2611, MAT1613, MAT2613, MAT2615, PHY1604
NQF Level: 7: APM3701, APM3712, APM3713, AST3755, AST3763, MAT3706
Astronomy (with Astronomy and Mathematics major)
General information: The remaining modules required to complete the BSc degree (3 at NQF Level: 6 and 2 at NQF Level: 7) can be selected from those in any other BSc subject.
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: APM1513, AST1534, MAT1503, MAT1512, PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506
NQF Level: 6: APM1612, APM2611, AST2651, AST2652, AST2655, MAT1613, MAT2611, MAT2613, MAT2615, PHY1604
NQF Level: 7: APM3712, MAT3701 or MAT3711, APM3713, AST3755, AST3763, MAT3702, MAT3705
Astronomy (with Astronomy and Physics major)
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: APM1513, AST1534, MAT1503, MAT1512, PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506
NQF Level: 6: APM1612, APM2611, AST2651, AST2652, AST2655, MAT1613, MAT2613, MAT2615, PHY1604, PHY2601, PHY2602, PHY2606
NQF Level: 7: APM3712, APM3713, AST3755, AST3763, MAT3705, PHY3702, PHY3703, PHY3707
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4870 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4871 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4872 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4873 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4874 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4875 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4876 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4877 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4878 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Special Topics in Astrophysics – AST4879 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A special topic which is chosen by a student in consultation with the COD/Head of Department. |
| Spherical Astronomy and Kepler Orbits – AST1534 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain insight into spherical trigonometry; celestial coordinate systems; times; aberration; precession and nutation and Kepler’s laws. |
| Galaxies I – AST4880 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module deals with the physical properties of our Galaxy and the galaxies in the Local Group. We discuss the structure and the components of the Galaxy, and the spatial distribution and the dynamics of the different stellar populations and the interstellar medium. Another important topic is the evolution of stellar populations. The second part of the module deals with the properties of the members of the Local Group. We discuss how the Local Group formed, what kind of galaxies are found today and how they move and interact, and what will happen to the Local Group in the future. |
| Spherical Astronomy and Kepler’s Orbits (Extended) – XST1534 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Year module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain insight into spherical trigonometry; celestial coordinate systems; times; aberration; precession and nutation and Kepler’s laws. |
| Radiative Processes – AST4883 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module looks at the mechanisms that produce radiation in astronomical environments, and the properties (such as the polarization) of the radiation thus produced. The mechanisms to be considered produce radiation over the entire electromagnetic spectrum, but examples will concentrate on the application of these results to radiation from radio through IR and optical to the UV regime. A basic knowledge of statistical physics, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics will be required for this course. Syllabus: Blackbody Radiation; Potentials and Fields of moving charges; Larmor’s Formula; Bremsstrahlung; Polarization and Stokes Parameters; Cyclotron Radiation; Relativistic Beaming; Synchrotron Radiation. |
| General Introduction to Astronomy – AST1631 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to obtain a broad and general introduction to astronomy (suitable for all students interested in the subject). |
| Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy – AST4884 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The absorption and emission lines formed by transitions of electrons in atoms, or the changes in the vibrational or rotational state of molecules contains an enormous amount of information about the gas in which these lines are formed. This module applies the method of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular systems so that the energy eigenvalues of the atom or molecule can be determined, and transition rates between the energy levels calculated. Syllabus: Solutions to Schrodinger Equation for one-electron atom; Corrections to the one-election atrom; Many-electron atoms; Molecules and the Born-Oppenheimer approximation; Molecular spectra: Rotation and Vibration; Interaction of atoms with EM radiation; Selection Rules; Line Shapes and Widths. |
| The Structure and Evolution of Stars – AST2651 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: PHY1505 ( or XHY1505), PHY1506 (or XHY1506) & MAT1512 (or XAT1512) |
Co-requisite: PHY1604 |
| Purpose: To enable students to understand energy sources and timescales, equations of stellar structure, the sun, stars, evolution on the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram, degenerate stars, binary star evolution. |
| Honours Research Report: Astronomy – HRAST81 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
|
Co-requisite: HMAST80 |
| Purpose: The topic for the Research Project should be chosen in consultation with the Head of Astronomy. |
| The Structure and Evolution of Galaxies – AST2652 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: PHY1505 ( or XHY1505), PHY1506 (or XHY1506) & MAT1512 (or XAT1512) |
Co-requisite: PHY1604 |
| Purpose: To enable students to gain a basic insight into observational techniques that may be used to study the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way, galaxy morphology and evolution, and the arge-scale structure of the Universe. |
| Honours Research in Astronomy – HRAST82 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module prepares the student for research-based postgraduate study. Students will learn how to conduct research in astronomy under supervision, and how to present their findings in the form of an appropriate piece of writing that shows that the writer can organise his understanding of the topic, and the view he/she has of the topic, in a skilfully structured research report. The student is led into this via the basic tools and techniques needed to conduct and report research in Astronomy. Students will gain the skills and knowledge required to find, read and analyse astronomy research literature, and report their findings in writing. They will also learn to apply correctly the style and technical conventions of astronomy writing. The outcome of the module is an acceptable written research report. |
| Astronomy Practical – AST2655 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Year module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English,Afrikaans |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: PHY1503 or PHY1038 |
Co-requisite: AST1534 |
| Purpose: To gain practical experience with the planning and preparation of astronomical observations (star charts, catalogues); determination of latitude (star transits); determination of azimuth (on the basis of solar observations); astronomical time-keeping; astrophotography. |
