This course will focus on the constituents, properties, and physical processes inside galaxies. While the Milky Way will often be used to expemplify the principles, I will aim for the course to apply to galaxies more generally.

Class Hours and Location Le Chase 148: 11:05 - 12:20,

Professor:     Eric Blackman, B&L 417,   blackman@pas.rochester.edu

     Office Hours: Thursday 12:30 - 2:00pm

TA:     ?, B&L ?, 5-?,  @rochester.edu

Textbooks:

The required course textbook is: "Galaxies in the Universe" by Linda Sparke and John Gallagher (Second Edition)

     Other books of interest include:

"The Physical Universe" (Shu; In my opinon, the best semi-qualitative overview of modern astronomy for physics and astronomy majors--there are few equations but the physical reasoning is very effective and at times sophisticated.)

"Modern Astrophysics" (Carroll and Ostlie; good quantitative overview of astrophysics accessible to undergraduates. A recommended purchase if you would like a comprehensive book on your shelf.)

     More advanced (ASTR242 will prepare you for these books):

"Galactic Dynamics" (Binney and Tremaine; classic graduate level textbook for theory of gravitational dynamics within galaxies.)

"Galactic Astronomy" (Merrifield and Binney; graduate level textbook for observational properties of galaxies and a companion to Binney and Tremaine)

"Galaxy Formation and Evolution" (Mo, van den Bosch, White) Multifacted physics of all aspects of galaxy formation and evolution

Topic Coverage

The approximate order of topics to be covered is below (Sparke and Gallagher).

1. Introduction: Stars, the Milky Way, Galaxies in the Unverse

2. Observing and Mapping the Milky Way

3. Stellar Orbits in Galaxies

4. Nearby Galaxies and the Local Group

5. Spiral and S0 Galaxies

6. Elliptical Galaxies

7. Large Scale Structure and Distribution of Galaxies in the Universe

8. Active Galaxies

9. More Physics of Galaxy Formation

Coursework:

(1) Homework problems (20%, each homework set counts equally)

(2) Two exams (40% each) Mar 7, May 2

Academic Honesty Policy:

1. You may collaborate on homework assignments but you must write up and turn in your own indepdnent solution sets.

2. For take-home exams you may use course materials and any other written or online materials but there is to be no communication with any humans about the exam other than the professor during the exam period.

College Credit Hour Policy:

This course follows the College credit hour policy for four-credit courses. This course meets twice weekly for 3 academic hours per weekThe course also includes independent study for 1 academic hour per week and both independent and collaborative work assignments.

Disability Resources:

The University of Rochester respects and welcomes students of all backgrounds and abilities. In the event you encounter any barrier(s) to full participation in this course due to the impact of a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Resources. The access coordinators in the Office of Disability Resources can meet with you to discuss the barriers you are experiencing and explain the eligibility process for establishing academic accommodations. You can reach the Office of Disability Resources at: disability@rochester.edu; (585) 276-5075; Taylor Hall; www.rochester.edu/college/disability.

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