MPI
Astronomy 383C - Spring 2009
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
MWF 11:00-12:00 · RLM 15.216B · Unique No. 48580
Professor
RLM 16.236 · (512) 471-3404 · email
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COURSE STRUCTURE
Subject Matter: See syllabus. We will broaden the scope of the course slightly to consider more general radiative processes in astrophysics if time permits.
Office hours: MWF 1-2pm, or by appointment. RLM 16.236 (office) or RLM 16.234 (lab).
Telephone: 471-6417 (lab), or 471-3404 (office). I will also respond to short questions by e-mail (I hate to type, so I won't respond to long questions). You can e-mail me at dew@astro.as.utexas.edu.
Grading: Your grade will be based on three elements with the weights shown:
Problem sets and quizzes: 25%
Class notes and class participation: 25%
Class project: 50%
Comments: I expect that you will help each other with the problem, sets, but only to the extent of locating references and general approaches to each problem. Your solutions must be uniquely yours. The notes must consist of much more than just a copy of the equations written on the board. These notes will form the core of your understanding of stellar atmospheres and radiative processes for the rest of your career. I will do my best to keep that in mind during lectures. I will also attempt to share with you my ideas on how to think about scientific problems, choose research topics wisely, and develop a successful career in science. I expect active participation in class, your grade in element 2, above, will reflect this.
Deadlines: There are no excuses for late assignments. There is no such thing as a late assignment in this class. There are no make-up exams. All quizzes are in-class. The projects will be presented in-class during the final week of class. Because of the comprehensive nature of the projects, as well as the amount of work involved, there will be no final exam given during the scheduled final exam period. Your work in this class is finished, by definition on the last class day; there are no incompletes.
Extra credit: You can worry about the strict deadline policy, or you can attend the STELLAR SEMINAR in the 15th floor class room on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. A complete set of notes for the seminars (in your own handwriting) along with your attendance, will be graded and substituted for the worst 25% component of your grade!
