PHYS 390: Introductory Astrophysics I

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Instructor Rose A. Finn email rfinn@siena.edu Office RB 227 Office Hours     Tues 1:30-3:30pm Wed 10am-12:00pm Class times Tues, Thurs 10:00-11:20 am Classroom RB 250 website http://www.sos.siena.edu/~rfinn/phys390/

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Overview

Welcome to Introductory Astrophysics!

This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence, with the scope progressing from small (planets) to large (the universe). In the first semester, we will cover the solar system, extrasolar planets, stars, and stellar evolution. In the second semester, we will study galaxies and cosmology (the origin and evolution of the universe).

Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Schedule

Note: the schedule is subject to change!!!

Research Project

Textbook

• Required:
  Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics, 4th Edition, Zeilik and Gregory, Brooks/Cole publishing
  
  I have selected this book because it is readable, and I REALLY want you to read!! I also like the succinct review of undergraduate physics that is contained in the Prelude.
  
  
• Other useful texts
  An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Carroll & Ostlie

Reading

• Reading assignments are listed on the Schedule.
• You should complete the reading and reading quizzes before coming to class.
• Reading quizzes will be posted on blackboard and must be completed before coming to class.

Homework

• Weekly homework assignments are listed on the Schedule.
• The weekly due day will be decided on the first day of class.

Each problem will be graded on an 8-point scale. The first 5 points will be awarded using the following guidelines:

• 5 = good effort with correct results and reasoning
• 4 = a good effort with minor errors or a fair effort with no conceptual or math errors
• 3 = a good effort with modest conceptual errors and/or math errors or a fair effort with minor errors
• 2 = a fair effort involving modest conceptual errors or a good effort involving serious conceptual errors
• 1 = a very poor effort
• 0 = no effort

A good effort involves at least some English language explanation and/or use of appropriate diagrams along with calculations, and/or some recognition of an implausible result. If you can't solve a problem after a reasonable effort your should at least indicate in words what information appears to be missing, and where and why you are stumped. Be sure to write something for every part of a problem.

Another 3 points will be awarded based on the quality of the presentation. For example, does the solution provide adequate diagrams and/or explanations of the model? Does the solutions use units and vector notation correctly? Does the solution avoid doing algebra with numbers? Points will be awarded according to the following guideline:

• 3 = great presentation
• 2 = minor presentation problems
• 1 = major presentation problems
• 0 = extremely poor presentation

Grade Components

Mid-term Exam	25%
Final Exam	25%
Projects/Labs	25%
Reading Quizzes & Homework	25%

In the event of campus closure...

If we are unable to meet due to campus closing, we will continue the course using email, the interactive tools on blackboard, and web conferencing using dimdim.