Astronomy 7B
Introduction to Astrophysics
Spring 2012
This
is the second half of an one-year overview of modern astrophysics,
which began with AY 7A (Fall 2011). The first semester focused mainly
on stars. This semester, we turn to high-energy phenomena
involving relativistic motion (e.g., black holes), galaxies, and the
expansion of the Universe. After completing both semesters, you
will appreciate the amazing power and scope of astrophysics.
Prerequisites
Physics 7A and 7B. (Physics 7B may be taken concurrently). AY 7A is not strictly a prerequisite, but those who have not taken it should have a strong physics and math background - at or beyond the introductory college level. This course extensively uses vectors, calculus, and scientific notation.
This Website
All the course information is to be found here, including homework assigments, their solutions, and all announcements.
Course Text
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Carroll & Ostlie (Pearson, 2007) Be sure to get this, the second edition, which is substantially different from the first! This is a weighty tome, of which we will cover only a portion. However, the entire book will serve you well as a general reference.
Lecturing Schedule
Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, 3 Evans
Lecturer
Office: C256 Hearst Field Annex
Phone and email: 642-1164 Sstahler@astro.berkeley.edu
Office Hours (in B26 HFA): 1:30-2:30 pm Thursday, or by appointment
Department Contact
Dexter Stewart
Office: B30 Hearst Field Annex
Department Contact
Dexter Stewart
Office: B30 Hearst Field Annex
Phone and email: 642-8520 dexters@berkeley.edu
\GSIs
Pierre Christian
Office: B26 Hearst Field Annex
Email: pierre.christian@gmail.com
Office Hours: 12:00-1:00 pm Wednesday
Sedona Price
Office: B26 Hearst Field Annex
Email: sedona@berkeley.edu
Office Hours: 2:00-3:00 pm Friday
Website: http://astro.berkeley.edu/~sedona/teaching/ay7b/
Homework Grader
Zachary Hershey
Email: hersheyzs@berkeley.edu
Discussion Sections
There will be two sections held per week. Each of you will be assigned one to attend. The two sections are
1. Monday, 12- 1, 264 Evans Instructor: Pierre Christian
2. Friday, 10- 11, 264 Evans Instructor: Sedona Price
The Astronomy Learning Center (TALC)
This is a large, collaborative "office hour," where students work in an informal, group setting. Each TALC is staffed by a GSI, who acts as a guide, rather than a tudor, in helping students with homework problems or in understanding lecture material and readings from the text. Attendance is optional. However, students who regularly attend TALC consistently do better in the course. To get the most out of TALC, you should start all homeowrk problems on your own before attending.
Two TALCs will be held per week, both in Room B5 in the HFA. The times are
Monday 5 - 7 pm
Homework Logistics
You must turn in all assigments by 5 pm on the posted due date, in the labeled box in the lobby of Building B, HFA. Be sure to write, below your own name, your section number and your GSIs name. The assigments will be returned in discussion section after they have been graded.
Grading
For students taking the course Pass/Fail: 100% of the grade is based on the midterms and final exam.
For those taking the course for a letter grade, the breakdown is
Midterm 1 20 %
Midterm 2 20 %
Final Exam 35 %
Homework 20 %
Discussion 5 %
Any test or homework assigment submitted by you and that bears your name is presumed to be your own original work. For any clarification of the rules, you should read the "Department of Astronomy Policy on Academic Misconduct" (http://astro.berkeley.edu/classes/cheating.html).
Syllabus subject to change!
Announcements
4/26 - Review
sessions will be held on Tuesday 5/1 and Thursday 5/3 in 264 Evans,
from 11 am to 12:30 pm. There will be no TALC that week. For the final
exam, bring a calculator and two two-sided sheets of paper with notes.
4/3 - The final exam will be held from 8 - 11 am on Thursday, May 10, in 3 Evans.
3/6 - The review session for Midterm 2 will be Saturday, 3/10/13 from 5- 7 pm in Room B5 of HFA.
2/10 - The review session for Midterm1 will be on Saturday, 2/11/12, from 5 - 7 pm in Room B5 of HFA. Those
who cannot make this should attend Monday's TALC.
1/27 - If
anyone has picked up Caleb Levy's homework assignment, please bring it
to Monday's TALC. Note that
TALC on Monday is now from 5 - 7 pm, still in B5. Finally, Sedona is posting problems and solutions on
her website, given above with her other information.
1/26 - Dr. Stahler's office hours will now be held in B26, HFA.
1/18 - The days and times for TALC are now Monday and Thursday, 5 - 6 pm. both in B5 (HFA).
Homework Assignments and Exam Solutions
Assignment 1 due Jan 31, 2012 solutions
Assignment 2 due Feb 10, 2012 solutions
Assignment 3 due Feb 28, 2012 solutions
Assignment 4 due March 9, 2012 solutions
Assignment 5 due April 3, 2012 solutions
Assignment 6 due April 19, 2012 solutions
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