Astronomy 4101
1 of 3
file:///C:/Users/basu/Documents/teach/ast4101/course.html
Astronomy 4101B, Stellar Astrophysics, Winter 2015
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western University
Course Information Sheet
1. General Information
Instructor
Professor Shantanu Basu
Rm 138D Physics and Astronomy Building
Tel. 519-661-2111 ext. 86441
Email: basu "at" uwo "dot" ca
Lectures
Tu 10:30 am - 12:20 pm, Th 10:30 am - 11:20 pm.
Rm 106 Physics and Astronomy Building
Prerequisites
Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Required Materials
There is a required textbook:
Stellar Astrophysics, LeBlanc, F. 2010, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-470-69956-0 (paperback)
The most important requirement is to come to class and be prepared for discussion. Attendance at
lectures and solving the problem sets are an excellent preparation for quizzes and the final exam.
The following textbooks may also be helpful for supplementary reading during certain parts of the
course.
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Carroll, B. W., and Ostlie, D. A. 1996, Addison-Wesley
An Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, Ostlie, D. A, and Carroll, B. W. 1996, 2007,
Pearson Addison-Wesley
The Physical Universe, Shu, F. H. 1981, University Science Books
The first two are undergraduate textbooks which contain a significant number of problem sets,
while the last one is an introductory undergraduate level book with excellent discussion of ideas.
Website
http://www.astro.uwo.ca/~basu/teach/ast4101/
The website contains this information sheet. In addition, it will contain the updated list of topics
to be covered, practice problems and assigned problem sets, as well as announcements. The
website will not be used for disseminating lecture notes. I will lecture the old-fashioned way, on
the whiteboard in class.
2. Overview
This course covers the astrophysics of stars, and is aimed at undergraduate students in third and fourth
year. I will assume a basic understanding of ordinary differential equations. The material that we might
cover is vast, ranging from concepts of gravity and modern physics, to stellar interiors and atmospheres,
30/12/2014 3:10 PM
Astronomy 4101
2 of 3
file:///C:/Users/basu/Documents/teach/ast4101/course.html
and on to stellar evolution. Indeed a full wish list of topics cannot be covered in one term. My
philosophy will be to provide a grounding in some of the basic physics of stars and star formation,
encourage you to learn how to make quick estimates and appreciate the big picture, as well as work
through some detailed quantitative problems and projects. You will be expected to write a short
computer program and present graphical results for the computational project.
3. Course Outline
I have made up a list of topics that I would like to cover this term. It is a living list, which may be edited
as the term progresses. I believe that the main point of this course is to understand well at least some
aspects of this vast subject, and develop skills that will serve you well throughout your future career.
4. Class participation
I encourage you to ask questions and participate in class discussions. If you have a question, chances
are that others do too and will benefit from hearing the answer to your question. Also, there is nothing
more discouraging to an instructor than a non-responsive audience! The in-class quizzes (see below) are
a good means for everyone to keep pace with the lectures by doing necessary background work. There
will be no make-up quizzes. A mark for a missed quiz may be waived only for documented medical or
family emergency reasons.
5. Marking
(15%) Computational project, including some programming and graphical presentation of results.
(30%) Three quizzes, for 10% of the total mark each, given on various Tuesdays. The quizzes will
test quantitative solution skills as well as qualitative understanding.
(20%) Cumulative mark for four problem sets that are to be turned in. The four problem sets will
not be weighted equally, with each problem set having a value proportional to its length. I will
also hand out practice problem sets that can serve as preparation for the quizzes and final exam.
(35%) Required final examination, 3 hours long, given during the university scheduled exam
period in April.
A standard first-year calculator is required for the quizzes and final exam. No other electronic
devices are allowed. In case of a missed assignment or quiz with a valid medical excuse, the
remaining assignments or quizzes will be used to determine the total mark for that category.
6. Schedule
The planned schedule for quizzes is that they will take place on the following Tuesdays: Jan. 20, Feb.
24, Mar. 17. The computer project will be due in late March. There is no midterm exam. The final exam
will be in April during the university scheduled exam date.
7. Contact Information
My office hours: Wednesdays 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm (in PAB 138D), Thursdays 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm (in
PAB 258)
Please try to talk to me during these office hours or set up a special time personally. I keep a very busy
schedule and I am unlikely to be helpful if you visit me at random times. Email is a good way to set up a
meeting or to make short queries about the class. I cannot reply to an email asking for a lengthy
response. Questions requiring lengthy answers are best asked in person.
30/12/2014 3:10 PM
Astronomy 4101
3 of 3
file:///C:/Users/basu/Documents/teach/ast4101/course.html
8. Important Messages
Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean
to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This
decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you
are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you
must provide valid medical or other supporting documentation to the Dean's office as soon as
possible and contact your instructor immediately. It is the student's responsibility to make
alternative arrangements with their instructor once the accommodation has been approved and
the instructor has been informed. In the event of a missed final exam, a "Recommendation of
Special Examination" form must be obtained from the Dean's office immediately. For further
information please go to the Student Services site which also contains the following document:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf.
A student requiring academic accommodation due to illness should use the Student Medical
Certificate when visiting an off-campus facility or request a Records Release Form (located in the
Dean's Office) for visits to Student Health Services. The Student Medical Certificate can be found
at
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/medicalform.pdf.
A student who is in emotional/mental distress should refer to MentalHealth@Western
http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
In accordance with Senate policy, a Special Examination will be held within thirty days of the
regular final examination for students who are unable to write the regular examination for medical
or other documented reasons. Requests for such a Special Examination must be made to the
Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Science.
Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy,
specifically, the definition of what constitutes a scholastic offence, at the following web site:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.
Accommodations may be possible for religious holidays. University policy on religious
accommodations and a calendar of dates is available at http://www.uwo.ca/univsec
/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/accommodation_religious.pdf.
Please contact your instructor if you require any arrangements to increase accessibility to this
course. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at
519-661-2147, or ssd "at" uwo "dot" ca, for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
Course marks may, in rare cases, be adjusted in order to conform to the meaning of course marks
described in the Western Academic Calendar, http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca
/2013/pg104.html, and in order to conform to Department policy.
30/12/2014 3:10 PM