Scientific Rationale

Stellar evolution, supernovae and chemical evolution of galaxies are at the heart of many topical subjects in astrophysics. Among them one finds:

• - distance determinations in the Universe
• - age determinations in the Universe
• - progenitors of White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Black Hole
• - origin of the Gamma Ray Bursts
• - properties of planet host stars
• - evolution of galaxies
• - reionization

The aim of this series of lectures is to provide the attendees with

• - the basic knowledge of the physics of stars, supernovae, nucleosynthesis and of the chemical evolution of galaxies.
• - the needed background for understanding the main challenges in theses areas of research, their successes and also their present day limitations.

Organised by the Swiss Commission for Astronomy, this first summerschool is primarily intended for PhD students in astrophysics (not necessarily in the themes of the present summer school), but is open to students in Master who plan to do a PhD in astrophysics, or to post-doc researchers who want to improve their knowledges in theses fields.

Don't forget you can claim ECTS credits for attending the SCfA summerschool!