Course Syllabus

Astronomy 162 is a General Education Curriculum (GEC) Physical Science course in the Natural Science category. The goals for this course include:
- understanding the theories and methods of modern astrophysics,
- investigating the relationship between science and technology.
Learning Objectives:
- To investigate the basic facts, principles, theories and methods of modern science as practiced in astrophysics.
- To learn important events in the history of astrophysics, particularly the discovery of the size and age of the Universe and our place within it.
- To explain the role of modern technology in the investigation of astrophysical phenomena.


Note: 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. The term "academic misconduct" includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct
(http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/info\_for\_students/csc.asp).


Note: Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office of Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Niel Avenue, telephone 292-3307; TDD 292-0901; http://www/ods.ohio-state.edu


The homework questions and answers and review pages will be posted here in PDF format.

If you have difficulty opening them, it may mean that you do not have the software called Acrobat Reader. To download this free software go to

this site


Week 1:

Introduction, Nature of Light and Matter (Textbook Chapter 4)

Questions discussed on the first day of classes


Week 2:

Our star, the Sun. (Textbook Chapter 14).

Homework 1


Week 3:

Nature of Stars. (Textbook Chapter 13)

Homework 2


Week 4:

Star Formation. (Textbook Chapter 15)

Wednesday October 14: Test 1

Review 1


Week 5:

Stellar Evolution: Low mass stars (Textbook Chapter 16)

Homework 3


Week 6:

Stellar Evolution: High mass stars. (Textbook Chapter 17)

Homework 4.


Week 7:

Neutron Stars and Black Holes. (Textbook Chapter 17)

Wednesday November 4: Test 2.

Review 2


Week 8:

Our Galaxy: the Milky Way. (Textbook Chapter 19)

Homework 5.


Week 9:

Galaxies (Textbook Chapters 18)

Homework 6.


Week 10:

Active Galaxies (Textbook Chapter 18)

Review 3


Week 11:

Cosmology (Textbook Chapter 20)

Monday November 30: Test 3. Friday: Last Class

Review 4