ASTR-4220: Astrophysics
/ ASTR-6960 Astrophysics
General Information - Fall, 2011
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Instructor |
Prof. Wayne G. Roberge
(roberw AT rpi DOT edu) Jonsson Rowland Science Center (JROWL),
Room 1C36 276-6454 Office Hrs: Tues 4:00-5:00, Thurs 3:00-4:00, or by appointment |
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Teaching Assistant |
Anthony Tamalonis
(tamala AT rpi DOT edu) Office Hr: Tues
12:00-1:00 in CII 9231 |
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Class Meetings |
Mon: Wed: Thu: |
1:00-1:50 in JROWL
2C25 2:00-3:50 in JROWL
2C25 1:00-1:50
in JROWL 2C25 |
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Attendance |
Not required
but in-class activities count toward the final grade. |
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Format |
Lectures and
group activities. |
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Learning Assessment |
Problem sets (45%) 3 in-class exams (45%) In-class
activities (10%). |
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Learning Outcomes |
A student who successfully completes this course will be
able to: Solve problems
using the theory of radiative transfer Calculate the
pressure of degenerate and nondegenerate gases. Calculate the
ionization balance in a stellar atmosphere or interior. Describe the
important nuclear reactions in stars. Predict the endpoints
of stellar evolution for stars of different masses. Describe the
different phases of the interstellar medium (ISM). Explain how the ISM
is heated and cooled. Explain why
molecules exist in the ISM and their significance. Calculate the
optical properties of interstellar dust. Solve
the equations of gas dynamics for simple applications. |
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Text |
The Physics of
Stars
by A.C. Phillips (required) Physics of the
Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium by B.T. Draine
(required) |
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Website |
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/Dept2/Courses/ASTR4220/adm/Ap_Home.htm Check often for homework assignments and
announcements. |
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Academic Honesty |
We
are all responsible for upholding the rules of academic honesty as spelled
out in the Rensselaer Handbook.
Students are encouraged to collaborate on homework but must write up
solutions independently. Students may not copy or paraphrase homework solutions
obtained from the internet, textbooks, or any other sources. A single instance of
cheating will result in a failing grade for the course. |
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Last modified: 11/29/11 |
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