Professor Lee Carkner
Winter 2007-2008
Room: SC203
Time: M W F 1:00-2:30 pm
Professor: Lee Carkner
Office: 208 Science Building
Email: phcarkner@augustana.edu
Phone: 794-3405
WWW: http://helios.augustana.edu/~lc
Office Hours: MWF 2:30-3:30 pm
PH330 is an upper-level course in basic physical astronomy covering electromagnetic radiation, stellar astrophysics, galactic structure and cosmology. The course will emphasize the physics behind the methods astronomers use to understand the universe. Course work will consist of daily homework, in-class exercises, two presentations, two exams and a final. Prerequisites are PH201-PH203.
Required Materials
The textbook for the class is “An Introduction of Modern Astrophysics” by Carroll and Ostlie. Make sure you get the second edition from 2007 and not the first edition from 1996. A calculator will be necessary and should be brought to each class along with pencil, paper and the textbook.
Your grade will be based on 5 separate items each weighted as follows:
Exams (2): 40% (20% each)
Final Exam: 20%
Presentations: 10% (5% each)
Homework: 20%
In-Class Exercises: 10%
Each class will have a reading and a homework assignment due before class starts. Each class will also have an in-class activity or exercise. Each student will gave two 15-minute PowerPoint presentations, one on a stellar object and one on an extra-galactic object, to be assigned by the instructor.
Homework is due every class day and must be turned in by the start of class. Homework handed in after 1:10pm but before 5pm of the day of class is accepted for 90% credit. Homework handed in by 1pm on the next class day will be accepted for 80% credit. No credit will be given for homework handed in after this time or after the solutions have been posted. The three lowest homeworks and in-class exercises will be dropped (or can be missed).
If you have any questions or problems during the semester you can send me email at the above address, visit during my office hours, or make an appointment for a meeting. Please also feel free to talk to me before and after class or stop by my office if you would like to discuss something.