Astronomy & Cosmology

Phys 202-101

Course Outline (Fall 2009)

Monday, 6:00PM – 8:55PM in KUPF 207

Dr. Slawomir Piatek

Office: T423F

Office Hours: W.5:00 PM – 6:00 PM & F. 9:00 AM – 10 AM

Phone: 973-596-3551

E-mail: piatek@physics.rutgers.edu

Website: http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~piatek

Textbook: Discovering the Essential Universe, 4^th Edition, by Neil F. Comins. Published by W. H. Freeman and Company. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-1797-2

Special Notes:

Readings: I have listed the reading assignments below. You should complete the readings before the corresponding lectures.

Class website: www.physics.rutgers.edu/~piatek/class/Phys202/F09/Outline.htm

Exams: There will be three in-class exams and a final exam.

Sample 100 questions from the past exams.

Exam Schedule:

Exam 1: Monday, October 12

Exam 1 Key (Correct answers are in green)

Exam 1 Scores (Max=20)

Exam 2: Monday, November 2

Exam 2 Key (Correct answers are in green)

Exam 2 Scores (Max=20)

Exam 3: Monday, November 30

Final Exam: Monday, December 14, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, KUPF 207

Grading: I will determine your final grade based on the three in-class exams and the final exam. Weights: Each in-class exam: 20%; Final: 40%.

85% - 100% A

80% - 85% B+

70% - 80% B

65% - 70% C+

50% - 65% C

40% - 50% D

0% - 40% F

Class Calendar:

Week 1 (M. 8/31) Introduction. Where are we in the Universe? Basic patterns and motions on the sky.

Read: Ch. 1

Week 2 (M. 9/14) Basic patterns and motions on the sky, cont’d.

Read: Ch. 1

Week 3 (M. 9/21) Planetary motion and gravity.

Read: Ch. 2

Week 4 (M. 9/28) Light, matter, and energy. Telescopes.

Read: Ch. 3

Week 5 (M. 10/5) Earth & Moon

Read: Ch. 4

Week 6 (M. 10/12) Earth & Moon, cont’d. Exam 1 (Chs: 1 – 3; 20 MC Qs; Bring your NJIT photo ID, pencil #2, & eraser. Know your 8-digit student ID.)

Read: Ch. 4

Week 7 (M. 10/19) The other planets of the Solar System

Read: Ch. 5

Week 8 (M. 10/26) Minor objects in the Solar System

Read: Ch. 6

Week 9 (M. 11/2) Sun. Exam 2 (Chs 4 – 6; 20 MC Qs; Bring your NJIT photo ID, pencil #2, & eraser. Know your 8-digit student ID.)

Read: Ch. 7

Week 10 (M. 11/9) Properties of stars and H-R diagram

Read: Ch. 8

Week 11 (M. 11/16) Star formation and evolution

Read: Ch. 9

Week 12 (M. 11/23) The Deaths of stars

Read: Ch. 10

Week 13 (M. 11/30) The Galaxies Exam 3 (Chs 7 – 10; 20 MC Qs; Bring your NJIT photo ID, pencil #2, & eraser. Know your 8-digit student ID.)

Read: Ch. 11

Week 14 (M. 12/7) Cosmology

Read: Ch. 12