ASTRONOMY 1144 - SPRING SEMETER 2015
T,R - 5:30-6:50
Smith Lab 1009
Professor : Anil K. Pradhan Graduate TA: Carl Coker
4017 McPherson Lab Off Hrs M,W 4:00-5:30 PM
292-5850 4001 McPherson, 292-3433
pradhan.1@osu.edu Coker@astronomy.ohio-state.edu
Office Hrs. T,R 4:30-5:30 PM Inst. Asst. Andrew Zitnik
(www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pradhan -- click on `Astronomy 1144')
Text: ASTRONOMY TODAY, Chaisson and McMillan, 7th Edition
COURSE OUTLINE
(Detailed outline is posted on the website daily)
Dates: Chapters Main Topics
Jan 13,15 3-5 Intoduction, Solar System
Jan 20,22 16 Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton
Jan 27,29 17 The Sun, Stellar classificaion and HR diagram
Feb 3,5 18 Interstellar Medium
Feb 10,12 19,20 Stellar Birth and Evolution
Feb 17,19 21 Stellar Death and Aftermath
Feb 24,26 22 Stellar Remnants: Neutron Stars and Black Holes
Mar 3,5 23 The Milky Way
Mar 10,12 24 Galaxies: Universal Timeline
Mar 24,26 25 Dark Matter
Mar 31, Apr 2 26 Cosmology: Large-Scale Structure
Apr 7,9 27 Big Bang, Cosmic Microwave Background
Apr 14,16 27 Energy-Matter Distribution
Apr 21,23 28 Life; Review
Mid-Term Test Dates: Thursdays Jan 29, Feb 19, Mar 12, Apr 9 (40 mins. duration
and followed by lecture)
FINAL EXAMINATION: MAY 1, FRIDAY, 8:00 - 9:45 PM, (HERE!)
All comprehensive final exam, approx. 100 multiple choice questions
N.B.: PLEASE READ THE TEXTBOOK ! The 4 mid-term tests (40
min, about 40 multiple choice questions) will have questions
on material covered in the lectures in the previous 2-week period.
The lectures will cover most topics in the text, but not all.
We will NOT be following the textbook exactly, but will cover topics
from Ch.5 (review of Nature of Light), and Chs. 18-30.
The lowest test score is discounted. No makeups except emergencies or
with advance email notice to the TA/Instructor. Please keep all test and
grade sheets until the final grade.
The tests count for 60% of the grade and the final for 40%.
The final exam will be comprehensive, including all the material in
the course. All tests are closed-book/notes. Test scores curved individually.
GRADES: 1-49 = E, 50-56 = D, 57-59 = D+, 60-62 = C-, 63-71 = C,
72-74 = C+, 75-77 = B-, 78-83 = B, 84-86 = B+, 87-89 = A-, 90-100 = A.
COURSE OBJECTIVE : As the course is intended for non-science majors,
the emphasis will be on the scientific method as applied to astronomy - the
concepts and the ideas - and a knowledge of basic facts and figures. The
primary content pertains to detailed study of stars and galaxies, and an
introduction to cosmology.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic
Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all
reported cases of student academic misconduct wherever com
mitted; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and cheati
ng on exami nations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged
misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional
information, see the Code of Student Conduct (studentaffairs.osu.edu/pdfs/csc
12-31-07.pdf).
DISABILITY SERVICES: Students with disabilities that have been certified by
the Office for Disability Services will be accommodated; plea
se inform the professor as soon as possible of your needs. The Office for Disa
bility Studies is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue, telephone
292-3307, TDD 292-0901, www.ods.ohio-state.edu.