ASTRONOMY 405/505 - Fall 2008

Instructor: Dr. René Walterbos

Office: Department of Astronomy, Room 204

Phone: 646-5990

Email: rwalterb@nsmu.edu

Web information: Supplemental Information on Web: http:/home/httpd/html/rwalterb/a505

Class time: TuTh 10:20- 11:35 am in Astr 119
Office hours: Posted near my door. Also whenever my door is open or by appointment.

Text books:
Modern Astrophysics, by Bradley Carroll & Dale Ostlie (required; either edition is fine). This is a rather complete overview of astronomy and astrophysics at a level well suited to this course.

Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, by George Rybicki & Alan Lightman (strongly recommended, especially for 505 students)
This is a good reference for the basics of radiative transfer, line broadening mechanisms, continuum radiation processes including bremsstrahlung and synchrotron. But it does not do anything on specific ISM lines.

Both texts are being held on three-day reserve at Zuhl Library (need to check on that).

My own class notes will be made available as we proceed during the semester. Since I am only teaching this course this semester, I will likely not have the time to prepare these notes for posting on the web. Homework assignments and due dates will generally be posted on the web, as will information on the midterm and final.

Other useful resources: Link to webpages from Nicole Vogt for this course. (http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/nicole/teaching/ASTR505/)
Nicole usually teaches this course and she has a nice set of notes for several of the sections we will cover as well. Click on this link for a quick overview of all the subjects and pages available (http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/nicole/teaching/ASTR505/lectures/quickview.html).

I will handout several pages of Nicole's notes, including Celestial Mechanics, Optics, and Probability. I may not cover all of these in class but you will find the notes to provide useful information.

Grades will be based on:

Homework 40%
Midterm
 30%
Final
 30%

GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS
  1. Homeworks will be assigned regularly. Collaboration on home works only makes sense after you have tried seriously to do it yourself. Otherwise, you will become dependent on others' contributions, and it will show during the midterm and final exam. While discussion of the assignments and class material may be very beneficial and is generally encouraged, the work you turn in must be your own, so do not copy someone else's work. You will generally have ample time for the homeworks (at least one week).  Late homeworks will only be considered if you have appropriate reasons and have discussed these with me; late homeworks cannot be accepted once the assignment has been returned and discussed in class. Nicole has some useful advice for homework on her pages. This includes problem solving strategy , try these actual problems as examples, and  homework tips.
  2. Class attendance is strongly encouraged. In class we will have time to discuss the subtler points not illuminated in the notes, and you will benefit from the discussion of the material and the questions asked by you and others.
  3. We will have one midterm, date TBD in consultation with students. This will be a closed book exam. The final exam may be oral or written, we can discuss that during the semester. It will be scheduled during finals week.
  4. SSD. If you have a disability that interferes with your academic progress, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities for an appointment to discuss accommodation.

  5. Grading. The final course grades will be on a curve, but if you have more than 88% of the total number of points available you will receive an A, more than 75% at least a B, and above 65% at least a C. You must earn a C or better to receive a Satisfactory rating if you have opted for the S/U option.

    An appropriate adjustment in assignments and exams will be made between ASTR405 and ASTR505. Assignments will specifically indicate which problems are only intended for students taking this class at the 505 level.

    An incomplete will be given only when a student has a C grade or better at the time the incomplete is requested and cannot complete the class due to circumstances beyond her/his control. These circumstances must have developed after the last day to withdraw from the class. Appropriate circumstances include a documented illness, death or crisis in the student's immediate family. Job-related problems are not appropriate grounds.

Rene Walterbos 2008, 08-20