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Astronomy 309N - Spring 2005
COSMIC CATASTROPHES
MWF 10:00 - 11:00 · WEL 3.502 · Unique No. 46770


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

Jennifer Sobeck

Office Hours
MWF 11-12, or by arrangement; do not hesitate to talk to me if you have questions. My job is to help.

Grades
There will be four hour-long examinations each counting 20 percent of the grade and a comprehensive final counting another 20 percent. The exams are tentatively scheduled for 2/11, 3/11, 4/8 and 4/29. The exams will be multiple choice.

Extra Credit
Sky watch project to identify objects or constellations containing objects like supernovae and black holes that are relevant to the course (5 points).

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 Thursday in RLM 15.216B at 5-6 PM 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.
 





18 January 2005
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