Syllabus
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The Interstellar Medium
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AST 393F |
Fall 2014 |
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Instructor: |
Neal Evans |
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Office: |
RLM 15.312A |
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Phone: |
471-4396 |
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Office Hours: |
M 4:00-5:00 |
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Required Texts: |
Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium by Bruce Draine (D) |
Exams and Grading: There will be homework, three exams and one comprehensive final. Class discussion and questions are appreciated and will be rewarded with credit. We may have in-class exercises to apply ideas. The homework is important in providing a basis for understanding the tests. The course grade will be determined according to the following plan:
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Top two scores |
20% each |
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Final exam |
20% |
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Homework |
30% |
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Class Participation |
10% |
Goals of the Class: The primary goal of the class is to help students develop an understanding of the physical processes at work in the interstellar medium; this goal provides the organizing framework for the course. A secondary goal is to introduce students to the different components of the interstellar medium, which span an enormous range of conditions. The role of the interstellar medium in forming stars and the return of matter and energy from stars to the interstellar medium will also be covered, time permitting. In addition to the connections to stars, the ISM is connected through disks around forming stars to the origin of planetary systems and life. The larger scale issues of star formation in galaxies as a whole and in the early Universe will be discussed briefly. The material covered in the course on Radiative Processes will be reviewed very briefly. Students who have not had that course will be paired with those who have taken the course to provide help as needed. Students will need Rybicki and Lightman’s book and my notes on quantum processes (the notes will be supplied).
Course Outline