Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology - ASTR 1754

Spring 2011

Columbia University
Barnard College

Syllabus - Spring 2011

  • Basic Structure

    This introductory astronomy course focuses on the subject of Sun, the Stars, our Galaxy, other Galaxies, and the origin and fate of the Universe.
  • Office Hours

    • Tues 4-5, Thurs 12:30-1:30 in 503 Altschul
  • Lectures

    • T TH 2:40-3:55, 202 Altschul
    • Students are strongly urged to attend class on a regular basis; if you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the material from a classmate. Lecture note outlines will be posted on Courseworks.
  • Textbook

    • 21c Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology, 3e, by Hester, Smith, Blumenthal, Kay, & Voss, 2010
  • students may also use The Cosmic Perspective 6e, by Bennett et al, if you have that already from Fall semester
  • Distribution Requirements

    • ASTR BC 1754x satisfies the Barnard Quantitative Reasoning requirement and can be used towards the Columbia College science requirement.
    • ASTR BC 1754x along with the lab course C1904x can be applied towards the Barnard lab science requirement.
  • Labs

    • Students who want laboratory credit should sign up for the one point course ASTR C1904x.
    • This is an L course so enroll ASAP.
    • Labs meet in the evenings and will begin on Jan 24.
    • A separate grade is given for the lab course.
  • Teaching Assistants

  • Homework:

    • Problem sets will be due in class approximately every other week.
    • Late HW will NOT be accepted after the solutions are handed out.
    • Students may work with other students together on the homework, but the writeups submitted must be all your own work in your own words, not duplicated/copied and pasted.
    • HW is required; you cannot pass this course by exam grades alone.
    • The lowest HW score will be dropped; the remaining scores will count for 20% of your final grade.
  • Quizzes:

    • There will be 4 short open--note quizzes.
    • The lowest score will be dropped; the remaining ones will count for 15% of your final grade.
    • No make-up quizzes will be offered without prior approval.
  • Extra Credit essay:

    • Optional extra-credit essay. Details on essay later. (EC)
  • Exams:

    • We'll have one midterm Mar 10, and a final exam during the scheduled time on THURS MAY 12 from 1:10-4 PM. (SORRY! We had the first exam day in the fall, the last in the Spring)
    • The exams will be closed book.
    • The midterm exam will count for 25%, and the final exam for 40%.
  • Schedule - (approximate)


    Dates Topics 21c Astronomy Cosmic Perspective 6e
    Jan 18 Introduction and Overview
    1 1
    Jan 20 Light and Atoms 4 5
    Jan 25 Telescopes 5 6
    Jan 27, Feb 1, 3 Taking the Measure of Stars 13 15
    Feb 8, 10 The Sun 14 14
    Feb 15, 17 Global warming and the Sun
    Feb 17, 22 Star Formation and Extrasolar Planets 15 16, 13
    Feb 22, 24 Stars in the Slow Lane 16 17.1, 17.2, 18.1
    Mar 1, 3, 8 Live Fast, Die Young 17 17.3, 17.4, 18.2
    Mar 10 MIDTERM 4-5, 13-17 5-6, 13-18.2
    Mar 15, 17 no class- Spring Break
    Mar 22 Earthquakes, Tsunamis, & Nuclear Power Accidents the news...
    Mar 24, 29 Relativity, Black Holes 17 S2, S3, 18.3
    Mar 31, Apr 5 The Expanding Universe, Big Bang 18 20.2, 20.3, 23
    Apr 5, 7 Galaxies and AGN 19 20.1, 21
    Apr 12, 14 The Milky Way 20 19
    Apr 19 Dark Energy and the Fate of the Universe 21 22
    Apr 21 In the Beginning 21 22
    Apr 26 Origin of Structure 22 22
    Apr 28 Life in the Universe 23 24
    May 12 FINAL EXAM 1-4 PM

    Due dates

    • Homework Assignments

      Homework 1 Feb 3
      Homework 2 Feb 22
      Homework 3 Mar 3
      Homework 4 Mar 31
      Homework 5 Apr 19
      Homework 6 Apr 28
    • Quizzes

      Quiz 1 Feb 15
      Quiz 2 Mar 1
      Midterm Mar 10
      Quiz 3 Apr 7
      Quiz 4 Apr 21
      Final May 12

    Astronomy Laboratory
    Spring Semester - 2011



    Labs begin Jan 24.

    Teaching Assistants



    Help Sessions: Pupin RM 307

    Weds 6-8 PM