Course:

AST 375 or CS 378: Cosmic Dawn II -- FRI

Semester:

Fall 2012

Unique No.:

47815 (AST 375 -- FRI), 53095 (CS 378 -- FRI)

Hours:

M & W 2-3 pm

Location:

RLM 15.201 (computer lab) or RLM 15.216B (classroom) on Mondays and RLM 12.216A (Edmonds Lounge) on Wednesdays

Prerequisites:

FRI Intro. to Research Methods (including AST 376), Cosmic Dawn I, or by permission

Textbook:

(Optional) Duncan, T & Tyler, C. Your Cosmic Context: An Introduction to Modern Cosmology (Pearson Addison-Wesley) ISBN: 978-0-13-240010-7

Website:

https://www.as.utexas.edu/~gfigm/fri/

Instructors:

Prof. Paul Shapiro (Principal Investigator)
Office: RLM 16.204
phone: (512) 471-9422
e-mail: shapiro@astro.as.utexas.edu
Office Hours: After class, or by appt

Dr. Kacper Kowalik (Research Educator)
Office: RLM 15.224
phone: (512) 471-1402
e-mail:
Office Hours:

Overview:

As a student in the Cosmic Dawn research stream, you will get to analyze and visualize new cosmological simulations. These simulations will utilize the computational resources of the Texas Advanced Computing Center, and will be among the most advanced in the world. We will provide you with the necessary background to participate in original scientific research in Cosmology and Astrophysics. This includes (but is not limited to) elements of computer programming, an introduction to supercomputing, physics, astronomy, and mathematical techniques. You will interact with experienced researchers in a team effort to break new ground in this exciting field.

Exams:

None.

Homework:

Conduct your ongoing research assignments.

Presentations:

At the end of the semester you will give an oral presentation to the class on the research conducted over the course of the semester.

Grading:

A letter grade (without plus/minus system) will be assigned based on the effort and progress you've made in your research project(s).

Notebook:

Keeping a record of the steps you take to find a result is a critical part of being a good scientist. As such, you are required to maintain a clear and legible lab notebook. As a guideline for keeping a good lab notebook, someone should be able to reproduce your result independently simply by following your notebook, without additional input from you.

Academic
Dishonesty:

We have a zero tolerance policy regarding cheating and plagiarism. All students involved in either of these acts will receive zero credit for the work in question and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the University of Texas.

Absences:

If you must miss class for any reason (i.e. illness, family emergency, etc...), please notify Dr. D'Aloisio ahead of time. You are responsible for the missed material and completing your work within the allowed time frame. In the event of an absence, please feel free to come to office hours for assistance.

According to UT Austin policy, you must notify us of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.

Disabilities:

Students will disabilities can request necessary accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities (512-471-6259 or www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/)