Professor
J. Craig Wheeler
A theoretical astrophysicist specializing in exploding stars and related topics
Office: RLM 17.230
Phone: (512) 471-6407
wheel@astro.as.
utexas.edu
Course Website
TA
Fergal Mullally
Office: RLM 16.220
Hours: TTh 2-3
Phone: (512) 471-3447
fergal@astro.as.
utexas.edu
TA
Nate Harrison
Hours: MWF 10-11
Location TBD
ndharrison@mail.
utexas.edu
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Office Hours
MWF 2-3PM or by arrangement; do not hesitate to talk to me if you have questions. My job is to help.
Grades
There will be five hour-long examinations each counting 20 percent of the grade. The exams are tentatively scheduled for
2/5, 2/26, 3/25, 4/22, 5/6. There will be no comprehensive final. The exams will be mostly multiple choice plus 2-3 short essay
questions.
Course Description
This is a specialized course for non-science majors that will presume some knowledge of the basic astronomical concepts
presented in Astronomy 301. There will be a minimum of mathematics, but a familiarity with basic algebra and scientific notation
("powers of ten") will be helpful.
Course Content
Discussion of supernovae, neutron stars and black holes with applications to gamma-ray bursts, worm holes, determining the
origin, state, and fate of the Universe, and hints of extra dimensions.
Text
The book was written by the instructor based on many years of teaching this class. It is titled Cosmic Catastrophes: Supernovae,
Gamma-Ray Bursts, and Adventures in Hyperspace and published by Cambridge University Press. Other material will be added as
needed.
Help Sessions
Weekly help sessions will be scheduled Wednesday in RLM 15.216B at 5:00 p.m. to discuss class material and exams. These sessions and
office hours allow a more nearly one-on-one relationship and are a valuable addition to the lecture.
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