www.williams.edu/Astronomy/Course-Pages/332/

 

ASTRONOMY 332

A Guide to Black Holes and other Exotic Objects

Lectures: Tuesdays and Fridays, 1:10-2:25PM in Thompson Physical Lab TPL-205

Text: Gravity's Fatal Attraction, Black Holes in the Universe by M. Begelman and M. Rees, Scientific American Library

See http://www.williams.edu/astronomy/Course-Pages/332 or Blackboard for the syllabus.

Instructor: Marek Demianski, Thompson Physics and Astronomy Lab 303, x4459 Office hours: Monday, 3PM-4PM, Wednesday, 10:30-11:30, and by appointment

Observatory Supervisor: Dr. Steven Souza, Thompson Physics and Astronomy Lab 117, x3210

Observing Program: Students will observe with the Hopkins Observatory's 24-inch telescope, as well as with other smaller telescopes. Details and requirements will be described in a separate handout, given at observing orientation sessions on February 9, 10 and 11. The observing orientations will be held in the Observatory Control Room.

Passing the course requires taking all exams, attending almost all lectures, and completing all observing requirements. Course attendance at each lecture is also required, except for medical or other special excuses.

Exams and Grading: Midterm exam: Thursday, March 20 Final exam: to be scheduled by the Registrar

Makeup exams will be scheduled for those who arrange beforehand to be excused and for those with medical excuses from the Infirmary.

Grades will be calculated approximately as follows: Observing: 10% Midterm exam: 40% Final exam: 50%

Honor Code: Students are strongly reminded of the honor system as described in the Student Handbook. No collaboration is allowed on exams. Students may work together in small groups during observing; however, any material handed in must represent an individual, not a group, effort. If there is any question as to how the honor code applies, please consult the instructor.