This course provides an introduction to topics in modern astrophysics focusing on the physics of stellar structure and evolution. It is normally followed by Introductory Astrophysics II which focuses on planets and galaxies. Graduate students from fields other than astronomy are welcome.
The content of this course concerns an introduction to basic astronomical principles, the internal structure of stars and the physics of how they evolve.
Changes in course content and emphasis from what is given above may be made during the term, depending on the needs and interests of the students.
The normal timetable for the course will be two 1\½ hour lectures per week, Tuesday and Thursday 2.00 – 3.30pm.
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Carroll and Ostlie, Second Edition
Problem Sets: 20% (4-5 homework assignments of various types)
Mid-term Test: 20% (to be held week of October 3)
Final Exam: 40% (to be held week of October 23)
Final Paper: 20% (due October 17)
Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, specifically Appendix 3, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/policy/AcademicIntegrity.pdf
The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
One example of points 1 and 2 that are relevant to this course is copying problem set solutions from someone else in the course or from another source, such as the internet.