AS312 - Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics - Spring 2003

AS 312 - Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics

Prof. Dan Clemens - Spring 2003

Meeting Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in CAS B4.

Office Hours
CAS 517B: Mondays 11 am to noon; Tuesdays 2 pm to 3pm; Thursdays 10 am to 11 am; Fridays 9 am to 10 am; and by appointment (requested at least 24 hours in advance) - 617.353.6140 or clemens@bu.edu.

Course Web Site:
The course web site may be found at http://people.bu.edu/clemens/AS312. This site will contain the syllabus, homework assignments, reading assignments, interesting links, and class-related postings.

Synopsis:
This course is normally taken by students in their Sophomore year who are concentrating in Astronomy, Astronomy and Physics, or Planetary Sciences. It is a required course for both Astronomy concentrations. The prerequisites are MA 124 and PY 212 or PY 252. During this course, the details of many astrophysical phenomena will be explored at an intermediate level. The major topics we will cover include: the nature of light and how it propagates through space and matter; the motions and structures of stars; the evolution of stars; the physical nature and processes appropriate to variable stars; the nature and physics of the interstellar medium; and the structure and evolution of our Milky Way Galaxy.

The emphasis of this course is placed strongly on student problem solving through frequent homework and exams. Students should expect to devote a significant amount of time outside of class to homework. Preparation before class is also wise, as I will ask questions regarding new material and its relation to prior material. The flow of topics during the semester will change from Light, to Stars, to the Milky Way Galaxy, back to Stars for some advanced topics, and finally back to the Milky Way Galaxy for advanced topics. The optimum lecture and exam plan is attached at the end of this write-up. Notice that homework due dates are also listed. The plan should not be used as a guide for lecture attendance. All students are expected to attend all lectures (see section on attendance, below).

Texts:
"Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics (4th Edition)," by Zeilik, Gregory, and Smith (available at the BU bookstore). This is the required text, which we will follow fairly closely.
"The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy," by Shu. This is an excellent text for applying physics to the astrophysical setting. Recommended, but not required.

Grading:
The course grade will be computed by weighting your performance in the following areas by the percentages listed:

 

Homeworks (approximately 15)	35%
Midterm Exams (2)	30%
Final Exam	25%
Attendance and Participation	10%

Minimum Guaranteed Grades:
If you perform at least as well as listed below, you will not receive a lower course grade than listed. Depending on the class performance and difficulty of the exams and homeworks, the grading scheme may be (but not necessarily) softened to lower percentage values.

A-	> 85%
B-	> 75%
C-	>65%
D	>50%
F	<50%

Homework:
Since the emphasis in the course is on doing astrophysics, the homework is very important. There will be approximately 15 weekly homework assignments, always due by 3pm on Fridays in my mailbox in room CAS 514. Homework may be passed in before class on Thursdays, also.

In professional astrophysics, an enormous emphasis is placed on writing and communication skills. In order to foster the continued development of good writing habits, most homework assignments will contain a significant writing component.

Homework Style

Problem Set Solutions:
Solutions to problem sets must be written in INK, on clean, lined, white 8.5x11 inch paper, without "burstable" sides or spiral notebook holes. Problem solutions are to be presented on only the front side of the page, with only 1 problem per page, and must be highly legible.

Writing Component Style:
Each writing assignment must be typed or typeset (e.g., with Word), on unlined white paper, on one side only, with 1 inch margins, in double-spaced ragged-right format. Fonts are normally expected to be Times New Roman 12 point.

Homework Late Policy:
In the real world, missing deadlines has dire consequences (e.g., failure of a NASA mission to launch on time could make it unable to answer the questions it was designed to address - representing a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars). Since we are practicing for the real world in this class, and trying to instill the highest work ethic, the late policy for homework and reports this semester will be equally dire. Failure to turn in an assignment on the designated date, by the designated time, in the designated format will result in a zero score for that assignment.

Conduct Standards & Collaboration:
It is important that students submit for evaluation work that is properly executed and attributed. I encourage you to study together, but to independently write up and submit your homework assignments. You may help each other to find how to solve a problem, but you must present your own discussion of the steps needed to achieve the solution. Do not copy from another student or from another student's work (including students not in this class).

Students are reminded that their behavior is governed by the CAS Academic Conduct Code, copies of which are available from CAS 105. I am required to state that cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Dean's Office, and after a hearing, may result in a zero grade for the relevant assignment or exam.

Midterm Exams:
There will be two, in-class Midterm exams: Thursday, February 13th and Tuesday, April 1. It is very important that you take the exams on these date. If you find yourself violently ill on exam day, you must call me (353-6140) and let me know before the exam time. If you show up at the following class meeting and give me an excuse then, you will receive a zero for the exam, and will not be given a make-up exam. All makeup exams will be one hour oral exams, taken in my office by appointment, and must be completed within the next 3 class meeting days of the missed exam. Grading for oral exams will be whole grades only; there is no plus or minus grade for an oral exam.

Final Exam:
The final exam will be from 9-11 am on Friday, May 9th. It will be closed book, and cover all material in the course. Note that the final exam is not at the usual class meeting time. Also note that neither the final exam time nor date can be changed for anyone, as per university rules.

Attendance & Participation & Absences:
The lecture meetings (TTh3:30-5) are a vital component of the course - every meeting should be attended by every student. Chronic absence and/or late arrival negatively impacts other students in the course and is to be eschewed. An attendance sheet will be circulated at every lecture. Be sure to sign you name on the attendance sheet every lecture. One component of the course grade is called "Attendance and Participation" and has as one of its components a reflection of your attendance. If you miss 4 or more lectures, the A&P grade will be reduced to 5% (that is, 5% of your grade will be set to zero). If you miss 6 lectures, the CAS Dean's Office will be notified. If you miss 8 or more lectures, I will assign you an "F" course grade. Excuses, including doctors' notes, play no role in this setting.

Class Calendar - Click here to view the calendar of important dates for AS312 this semester.

Drop and W-Grade Dates: The last day to drop AS312 is 5 weeks from the start of the semester, that is, Friday, February 14th. The last day to withdraw with a W-grade is 8 weeks from the start of the semester, or Friday, March 7th.