• Aaron Watkins
  Aaron will be available to help you with computer-related problems: come to me for help with the astronomy. In particular, he can help you with Python if your current plot-making software isnt up to the job. Office hours: by appointment. You can email Aaron at aew54@case.edu to ask questions or set up a time to see him.

Class will meet Tuesdays at 11:30am and Fridays at 12:30pm.

There will be no required text.

We will use the following books which are on reserve in the astronomy library for reference:
Galactic Astronomy by Binney and Merrifield, second edition.
Galaxies in the Universe, by Sparke and Gallagher, Second edition.
Galaxy Formation by Longair

There will be six homework sets, a midterm and a final.

Grades for undergraduates:
Homework: 50%
Midterm: 20%
Final: 30%

Grades for graduates:
Homework: 40%
Midterm: 25%
Final: 35%
In addition, a 'B' standard is required for both homework and the final-plus-midterm grade in order to earn a B in this course. This is because the homework is an important part of the course, but the midterm and final are better preparation for the written graduate qualifying exam.

Classes will be interactive, with group discussions of the material.