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Syllabus Course Objectives This course provides an introduction into our basic understanding of the formation, structure, and evolution of the universe. Where do the light and the matter permeating space come from? What do we really mean when we say that "the universe is expanding"? How do we know that it was hot and dense at the beginning? What was the Big Bang, and what are the residual traces of this event? How did the intricate cosmic structure, evident in vast astronomical surveys, come into existence? Why are there billions upon billions of stars in every galaxy, and billions of galaxies in the observable universe? What are black holes and what is their unique role in the transformation of galaxies? Where are the boundaries of the present understanding? What are the missing pieces, and what are the scientists doing to complete the picture? Along with a review of modern cosmology, I will discuss the historical emergence of the discipline from its pre-scientific precursors. While tracing the evolution of the universe to its beginnings, I will review recent and future experiments and missions, conducted on Earth and in space, to explore and measure the universe. I will use these examples to illustrate the mechanisms of scientific discovery that set science apart from other endeavors. Classes, Prerequisites, and Textbook Hours and Venue The class meets in Robert A. Welch Hall (WEL) 3.502 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Help Sessions Review help sessions will be scheduled prior to exams or homework assignment due dates in Robert Lee Moore Hall (RLM) 15.216b on Tuesdays at 5 - 6 p.m. Prerequisites To take Astronomy 309R, you should have taken a descriptive introduction to astronomy, such as Astronomy 301, 302, or 303, or have obtained consent of the instructor. Textbook Title: Cosmology, The Science of the Universe, 2nd Edition Author: Edward Harrison Publisher: Cambridge University Press Other Recommended Reading Title: The Infinite Cosmos: Questions from the Frontiers of Cosmology Author: Joseph Silk Publisher: Oxford University Press Title: In Search of Dark Matter Author: Ken Freeman and Geoff McNamara Publisher: Springer Praxis Books Title: Space-Time, Relativity, and Cosmology Author: Jose Wudka Publisher: Cambridge University Press Title: The State of the Universe: A Primer in Modern Cosmology Author: Pedro Ferreira Publisher: Cassell Title: The Edge of Infinity: Supermassive Black Holes in the Universe Author: Fulvio Melia Publisher: Cambridge University Press Exams and Grading Exams There will be 6 multiple-choice in-class exams, and no final exam. Please see the course schedule at the end of the syllabus for the dates of exams. The lowest exam score will be dropped, and the remaining 5 scores will be counted toward the grade. Each exam contributes 15 points toward the final grade. There will be make-up exams for students with valid excuses. The reasons for absence must be presented and acknowledged in advance of examination. No make-up exams will be arranged for those who did not notify the instructor about their absence in advance. The penalty for cheating on an exam is a score of zero that will be counted toward the final grade. Homework There will be 3 homework assignments, each counting 10 points toward the grade. Each assignment will be a set of simple essay questions, based on the material covered in class and/or available in resources that will be specified in the assignment. Your answers of the essay questions should be submitted in typewritten form, about two to three pages in length (to be specified in the assignment), double-spaced, in 12-point font. On an additional page, you must provide a complete, numbered list of references (scholarly books, scholarly articles, scholarly web pages) that you used to answer the essay questions. You can paraphrase but not cite or copy material from any source. Distinction between paraphrasing and citing or copying is clearly explained in: http://projects.uwc.utexas.edu/handouts/files/Paraphrasing.pdf You are encouraged to discuss and work on the homework assignments in groups, but you must write the final answers on your own. Essays containing identical text fragments will be returned ungraded. Please number and staple together all pages of your assignment. Calculation of the Grade
Attendance Since many concepts covered in the course are not covered in the textbook, please attend the lecture. WEL 3.502 has noisy doors and thus please do arrive on time and do not leave the lecture room until the lecture ends, to avoid distracting other students. Please sit in the front rows - do not sit in the rear of the room! Also, please do let me know if you cannot read the information on the blackboard or on the projector display. You are strongly encouraged to raise your hand to ask questions during lecture. If I do not notice that you have raised your hand, please call my name, and ask your question. Please do not read newspapers, magazines or books that are unrelated to the course. You may use your laptops to take notes, but do not use the laptop for computer games during lecture since this is highly distracting to anyone sitting next to you or behind you. |
19 January 2007
Astronomy Program · The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas 78712
prospective student inquiries: studentinfo@astro.as.utexas.edu
site comments: www@www.as.utexas.edu
Astronomy Program · The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas 78712
prospective student inquiries: studentinfo@astro.as.utexas.edu
site comments: www@www.as.utexas.edu