AST 341: General Information

Instructor: Prof. Fred Walter (ESS 459; 632-8232; fwalter at astro.sunysb.edu)

Office Hours: Monday 2-3PM, Tuesday and Thursday 10-11AM, or by appointment.

Astrophysics is a synthesis of many topics, beginning with the study of radiation and radiative transfer, and ending with the application of physics to stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the universe.
The topics we will cover include:

• Radiative transfer and emission mechanisms
• Atomic and molecular spectroscopy
• Observational properties of stars
• Stellar structure and energy sources
• Star formation and evolution
• White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes
• The Sun
• Solar and stellar activity and magnetic fields

Prerequsites include AST 203, PHY 251/252, and MAT 203 or 205 or 211 or AMS 211. You will need a working knowledge of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, and some statistical mechanics. You will need to be able to perform simple integration and differentiation. If you are concerned about your preparation, please contact the instructor.

• Carroll, B. W. & Ostlie, D.A. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, second edition (Pearson Addison Wesley).

• Shu, F.H. The Physical Universe: an Introduction to Astronomy (University Science Books), 1982. A good textbook with excellent physical insights.

• Bohm-Vitense, E. Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics (Cambridge University Press), volumes 1, 2, 3
• Gray, D. Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres (Cambridge)
• Kitchin, C.R. Optical Astronomical Spectroscopy (Institute of Physics Publishing)

The required and recommended books should be on reserve in the Math-Physics library.

• There will be a midterm and a final examination. Together these will account for 50% of your grade.
• There will be about 6 homework assignments (roughly bi-weekly), due one week after assignment. 30% of your grade will be based on the homework.
• There will be one library research paper due, on a relevant topic of your choice. Please clear topics with me prior to starting. Papers will be due on or before Thursday Dec 11, and will account for 20% of your grade. Guidelines are available at this link, and will be discussed in class. These papers can be used to satisfy the upper division writing requirement.

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  Americans with Disability Act:

  If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services at (631) 632-6748 or http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/dss/. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website: http://www.sunysb.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities.shtml

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