Friend, David B.

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi Fall 9-1-2001 ASTR 363.01: Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics I David B. Friend The University Of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Friend, David B., "ASTR 363.01: Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics I" (2001). Syllabi. 5387. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/5387 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. ASTRONOMY 363  STELLAR ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS I Fall 2001   Meets MWF 10:10 - 11:00 in SC 230/231 INSTRUCTOR: Dave Friend (for now) Office: SC 127, ext. 5283 (Physics and Astronomy office ext. 2073) Office Hours: MWF 1:10 - 2:00 and by appointment (more hours to be added later)  TEXT: An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Brad Carroll and Dale Ostlie  COURSE CONTENT AND GRADING:  This course (Astronomy 363-364) is intended to provide a fairly complete introduction to the field of stellar astrophysics, or the physics of stars. We will be using several different branches of physics to describe stars: classical mechanics, thermodynamics, special relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. I will assume that you are very familiar with classical physics, but I will spend some time reviewing the topics in modern physics. The 2 semesters will concentrate on the following topics: 363: stellar properties, spectra, atmospheres, and interiors 364: stellar models, the sun, and stellar evolution During the first semester we will cover the observed properties of stars (especially their spectra) and the physics of their atmospheres and interiors. We will spend some time with chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5, and then cover chapters 7 to 10 in great detail (see the outline on the second page for details).  CLASS MEETINGS: I will spend most of each class period lecturing, but class participation will also be an important part of the course. We will sometimes go over homework problems during class. I will frequently ask you questions, and I expect you to ask me questions too, especially when I have asked that you carefully read a specific section in the text. We will also do some computer simulations as class demonstrations from time to time.  EXAMS: There will be three in-class mid-term exams and a final exam. The final, which will be on Wednesday, December 19th, will be semi- comprehensive, emphasizing the material in the last part of the course. You may bring one sheet of paper with you for the exams with anything written on it that you want.  RESEARCH PAPERS: Near the end of the semester, each student will be required to submit a 4 - 5 page paper. The paper should be on one class of stellar or interstellar object, with an emphasis on an interesting recent discovery. I will ask you for a paper topic roughly a month or so before the end of the semester.  HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: There will be several homework assignments, which will constitute a substantial portion of your grade. We will probably go over some of the problems during class. You should plan to hand in the assignments during class, but if everybody is having trouble with certain problems, I'll let you hand them in later in the day. There will be a late penalty (except when you have a valid excuse) of a 10% point reduction per day late.  GRADING: final grades will be calculated as follows:  first exam 15% second exam 15% third exam 15% final exam 25% homework assignments 20% paper 10%  COURSE OUTLINE week of main topics reading in text   Sep.  5 introduction to the properties of stars 1.3, 3.1 10  the continuous spectra of stars 3.2, 3.4-3.6 17 the nature of spectral lines 5.1, 5.3 24 Kepler's laws and orbits 2.1, 2.3 26 FIRST EXAM Oct. 1 binary stars and determining stellar masses 7.1 - 7.3 8 spectral classification; excitation and ionization 8.1 15 summary of stellar properties: the H-R diagram 8.2 19 SECOND EXAM 22 radiation and radiative transfer 9.1, 9.2 29 stellar atmospheres and opacity sources 9.2, 9.3 Nov.  5 the structure of spectral lines 9.4 12 spectral line broadening (Monday holiday) 9.4 19 THIRD EXAM (Thanksgiving break W, F) 26 introduction to stellar interior structure 10.1, 10.2 Dec.  3 energy generation; the virial theorem 10.3, 2.4 10 energy transport 10.4  19 FINAL EXAM  Last day to add: September 24 Last day to drop (without petition): October 15 

ASTR 363.01: Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics I

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ASTR 363.01: Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics I

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