Astronomy 2895 Autumn Semester 2013
TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS
Course coordinator: Prof. Smita Mathur
Office: 4023 McPherson Laboratory
Webpage URL: http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~smita/Ast2895/
Classroom: 3094 Smith Laboratory
Class Hours: T, 4:10--5:05 p.m.
Course Objectives and Philosophy
Astron 2895 is a one-semester seminar course that is intended to
introduce prospective astronomy and astrophysics majors to the
undergraduate astronomy program at Ohio State. There will be
introductory lectures on practical aspects of the major program,
including course of study, careers in astronomy and astrophysics,
observational facilities available to Ohio State faculty and students,
the Center for Cosmology and Astro-Particle Physics (CCAPP) connection
with the Department of Physics, and opportunities for engagement of
undergraduate students (including a discussion of REU opportunities, the
OSU Astronomy Summer Undergraduate Research Program, the Ohio State
University Astronomical Society, and outreach opportunities available at
Ohio State). Each of the remaining sessions will feature an Ohio State
faculty member, who will describe his or her research program at a level
suitable for first-year undergraduates.
Effective Autumn Semester 2012, all astronomy majors must complete one
semester of Astron 2895 (or one quarter of Astron 2295).
Course Prerequisites: None.
Textbook: None required.
Grades and Attendance
This course will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory only. Grades will
be based on attendance and short (one-page or less) essays on the topics
discussed. No more than two unexcused absences will be permitted for a
passing grade. Essays will be due no later than one week following the
presentation, except the essays for the presentations on 26 November and
3 December are due no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, 6 December. Essays
must be submitted electronically and must be in either plain text format
or in PDF format (.doc, .docx, .tex, and .ps can all be converted easily
to PDF). Essays should be submitted to Dr. Mathur via email at the
address above.
Absences
Excused absences will be granted if you are sick or if a class conflicts
with an approved University function (e.g., if you are a member of a
varsity athletic team and are required to leave town), provided that you
obtain permission from the course coordinator at least a week in
advance.
Roof Nights
All Ohio State instructors are required to report suspected cases of
academic misconduct to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. See the
University's Code of Student Conduct for details.
Academic Misconduct
All Ohio State instructors are required to report suspected cases of
academic misconduct to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. See the
University's Code of Student Conduct for details.
Students with Disabilities: Any student who feels that he or she may
need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact
the course coordinator to discuss specific needs. We will work with the
Office for Disability Services (ODS) to verify the need for
accommodation and develop appropriate strategies. Students with
disabilities who have not previously contacted ODS should do so in
advance by visiting the ODS website and requesting an appointment. The
Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760
Neil Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901;
http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/.
Smita Mathur
(smita@astronomy.ohio-state.edu)
Revised: 2013 August 19th.