Class website: http://www.astro.indiana.edu/~classweb/a452
Prerequisites include calculus and P301. A221-A222 are recommended, but are not required. The upper level astronomy courses A451 and A452 are complementary, and can be taken in any order.
Textbooks:
Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction by Sparke & Gallagher
Note list of errata.
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Carroll & Ostlie
Grading is based on a mixture of homework (30%), midterm exams (40%), and a final project (30%). Class participation will be considered if the final grade is on the borderline (i.e., a high end B+ could become an A- if you participate actively in class discussions). Homework will be due every week.
Late Homework Policy: Homework is due at the beginning of class on the date specified. No late homework will be accepted.
Class Attendance and Examination Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly and to arrive on time. Material will be presented during class that is not covered in any textbook. Two exams will be held during normal class hours (March 8 and April 19). No make-up exams will be offered.
Collaborative work and academic integrity: You are encouraged to work with other students on many of the homework assignments in this class (exceptions to this policy will be noted on the homework itself). However, every student must hand in their own solutions to receive credit, and all help should be acknowledged.
Research Project: A list of possible projects will be handed out during the second week of the semester. The topics will include observational or theoretical research projects and a list of interesting items for literature reviews. These are semester long projects and represent 30% of your total grade. Final papers will be due on Apr 24, and short class presentations will occur on April 24 and 26.
| Week | Dates | Subject | Assignments |
| Wk 1 | Jan 9-11 | Overview |
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| Wk 2 | Jan 16-18 | Newtonian Cosmology | HW 1 DUE Jan 16
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| Wk 3 | Jan 23-25 | Cosmology Research |
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| Wk 4 | Jan 30- Feb 1 | Relativistic Cosmology |
HW 2 DUE Jan 30
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| Wk 5 | Feb 6-8 | Obs. Cosmology/CMB | HW 3 DUE Feb 6
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| Wk 6 | Feb 13-15 | Galaxy Formation |
HW 4 and 5 DUE Feb 13
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| Wk 7 | Feb 20-22 | Early Universe |
HW 6 DUE Feb 20
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| Wk 8 | Feb 27- Mar 1 | Intro. Extragalactic |
HW 7 DUE Mar 1
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| Wk 9 | Mar 6-8 | Large Scale Structure | EXAM 1 Mar 8 |
| SPRING BREAK Mar 10-18 | |||
| Wk 10 | Mar 20-22 | Galaxy Morphology |
HW 8 DUE Mar 20
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| Wk 11 | Mar 27-29 | Galaxy Dynamics |
HW 9 DUE Mar 27
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| Wk 12 | Apr 3-5 | Stellar Populations |
HW 10 DUE Apr 3
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| Wk 13 | Apr 10-12 | Active Galaxies |
HW 11 DUE Apr 10
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| Wk 14 | Apr 17-19 | Galaxy Clusters |
HW 12 DUE Apr 17, EXAM 2 April 19
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| Wk 15 | Apr 24-26 | Class Presentations | Final Paper Due Apr 24 |
There will be no Final Exam