Physics 3250 - Introduction to
Astrophysics
Instructor: Professor Kirk Korista
Office: 2226 Everett Tower
Telephone: 387-4971
Physics Department: 387-4940
Email: kirk.korista@wmich.edu
Office Hours: T,F 10 a.m. - noon, MW 3-4 p.m.; or by
appointment
or just drop by. I expect
that you will make use of them.
- COURSE INFORMATION: This is an introduction to
modern
astrophysics. We will explore the underlying physical foundations of a
wide
range of astrophysical processes that involve stars, the basic building
blocks of the cosmos (e.g., binary star
orbits,
formation of stellar spectra, stellar structure and evolution). You
will
gain physical insight into these processes via
order-of-magnitude
type calculations and the asking
of questions. To this end we
will
apply some of the principles of mechanics, ideal gases, atomic &
nuclear
physics (quantum mechanics). If you've ever wondered what good this
stuff is,
you are embarking on a journey to find out. This course satisfies one
of the
requirements for
the astronomy minor program and one of two required electives
for the physics minor program. 3 credit hours.
- PREREQUISITES: The official prerequisite for this
course
is PHYS 3090; however, at my discretion I do allow students to take
PHYS
3090
concurrently. You must inform me if you have not taken PHYS 3090. PHYS
1060
(Introduction to Stars & Galaxies) is a recommended but not
required course.
- CLASS MEETINGS: This class meets MWF 2-2:50 p.m. in
2211
Rood Hall.
- REQUIRED MATERIALS: The textbook is An
Introduction
to Modern Astrophysics (2nd Edition, 2007; hopefully the 2nd
printing or later) by
Carroll
& Ostlie. Please also have pencils & erasers, a calculator with
the
major math functions, and a folder or binder to keep handouts, old
homework, etc.
- PARTICIPATION:
I assume you are here because you are
interested
in and have a desire to learn astrophysics. So, I expect that you will participate
during the class meetings (5% of
your grade). Showing up inattentively will not gain you credit. If you
have a legitimate excuse for
missing class, please speak with me, ahead of time if at all possible.
- HOMEWORK: Homework (mostly quantitative problem
solving)
will
be assigned throughout the semester, and you will be responsible for
these
assignments. Some of them may involve computer work; I will alert you
to these special assignments. The homework will be due at the
beginning
of class of the assigned due date, and counted late thereafter. A 10%
deduction
from your score will be
imposed upon the grade of a late assignment on the first school day
late. A grade of zero will be imposed for anything later. I
do not
expect this to be a problem. Please speak with me ahead of time if
there
are special circumstances that might prevent you from completing the
homework
on time. Students may work together, but should execute and turn in
their own work. All homework is to be
done in pencil.
- COMPUTER PLOTS, COMPUTATIONS: Any
plots constructed
for homework must be quantitative, meaning that it provides labels of
curves and axes, the
inclusion of
appropriate units, a numerical scale with an appropriate number of major & minor tick marks
on the axes that demonstrates that the student understands the physical
process. Accuracy is also key. While metrically ruled (10
ticks/cm only) graph paper plots will be accepted, I prefer that they
are
done with the use of a computer (PC, laptop, workstation). For example,
students may use Maple or MS-Excel, or Origin, (or ...). If these or other
programs are used for making difficult computations, the student must
explain the steps that were "plugged into the program."
Computer graphing is an important skill in any science, engineering, or
applied math field.
- EXAMS: There will be approximately 2 exams during
the
regular portion of the semester, to be announced in class. The Final
Exam has been scheduled for Tuesday 27 April, 2:45 - 4:45
p.m. All exam work is to be done
in pencil.
- GRADING POLICY: Together the regular hour exams
will be
worth 30% of your course grade, the homework will be worth 40% of your
course
grade, and the final will be worth 25% of your course grade. The
remaining
5% will be based upon your attendance to class. Exam
scores will be "curved" in some way, but HW scores will not.
Small amounts of extra credit (EC) are sometimes
available on the exams and applied to the exam score, and occasionally
there will be some extra credit (EC) questions on the HW, as well as EC
assignments available to
be applied toward your homework
grade.