DRAFT – NOT YET FINAL!

ASTRONOMY 420 – Stellar Astrophysics

Spring 2007

Professor: Debra Fischer, PhD.

Lecture: MWF 10:10 PM, in TH 325

Office: Thornton Hall 527

Telephone: Office: 415 338-1697

Email address: fischer(at)stars.sfsu.edu

Course Website: http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~fischer/Astr420.html

Office Hours: Monday 1 - 2 pm, or by appointment

DESCRIPTION: This course will provide an introduction to stellar astrophysics.

Starting with the Boltzman and Saha equations, continuum and line opacity and

the growth of spectral lines will be discussed. We will examine energy transfer

and hydrostatic equilibrium in main sequence and evolving stars, with particular

attention to solar physics, stellar pulsations, and the degenerate remnants of stars.

In the last few weeks of the course, the formation and evolution of terrestrial and

giant planets, planet atmospheres, and Kuiper Belt Objects will be examined in depth.

Students will read and interpret key, current, professional papers in astrophysics.

PREREQUISITES:

Computer Science; Astronomy 320, Math 376 or 245

TEXT AND OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:

1) Textbook: An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics

Author: Carroll & Ostlie

2) Additional Reading Material:

Posted on the class website and handed out in class. There will be at least

four current professional astronomy papers that will be assigned for reading

and homework problems.

3) Computers and Internet Access

- Internet access is necessary for this course. Computers for student use

are available in a 24-hour lab in the J. Paul Leonard Library (338-1490).

- Several homework assignments will require computer programming in

a language of your choice (e.g., IDL, C++, Fortran). Extensive astronomy

libraries are available for programs/subroutines written in IDL:

- http://idlastro.gsfc.nasa.gov/homepage.html

While I will not be able to help with debugging of programs, I would like

you to include a printout of the programs you use to do homework solutions.

HOMEWORK

- There will be 14 homework assignments.

- No late homeworks will be accepted.

- The lowest homework score will be dropped.

- Each Friday: New assignments will be issued and homework that is due

should be turned in at the beginning of class.

TERM PAPER AND PRESENTATION

Students will research one topic and write up a term paper and give

a PowerPoint presentation on that topic in class (presentation dates

are Apr 20, 26, May 4, 11). The term papers (double spaced, typed

8-10 pages) are due on May 11.

Follow the format of professional papers:

Title, Abstract, Introduction, clearly labeled sections/subsections,

Figure and Table captions, References

Grading rubric for term paper:

· Proper format and references (15%)

· Writing mechanics: spelling, grammer (10%)

· Coherent, logical flow (10%)

· Scientific Content (65%)

Grading rubric for presentation:

· Clear, engaging presentation (25%)

· Scientific content (65%)

· Proper time length: 20 min + 5 min for questions (10%)

EXAMS: Examinations will be based on lectures, reading material and homework.

There will be one in-class midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam.

GRADES:

Weekly homework assignments, midterm and final exam

A written report on an in-depth semester project

In-class presentation and general class participation.

Homework	25%
Written Report	15%
Oral presentation	10%
Midterm exam	20%
Final exam	30%

SPECIAL DATES:

Feb 9: Last day to add a class

Feb 20: Last day to drop a class

Mar 20: CR/NC deadline

Mar 30: No classes – Cesar Chavez Day Observed

Apr 9 – 13: Spring Break

Apr 25: Course Withdrawal Deadline

May 16: Last Day of Instruction

May 25: Final Exam for Astr 420 – early! at 8 am