University of Manitoba, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2

Winter 2012 Astronomy PHYS4230/7660 Reading Course

Phenomenology of Galaxies

Instructor Information

Jayanne English
email:
Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca
homepage :
http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english
coordinates:
office: Allen Building Room 514 phone: (204)-474-7105
FAX: (204)-474-7622
contact hours:
By appointment.

Class Information

Weekly Meetings - by arrangement
Allen 514
Format:
Guided Readings
Weekly meetings will be used to guide the student through the required textbook and a professional paper selected by the student and approved by the instructor.
Presentation and Reports
Students will submit a report on the paper, present 1 colloquium at a Journal Club on the paper, and follow-up with a brief report on the response at the colloquium.
Assignments
Students will submit assignments for evaluation. Students may select to submit mathematical problems for evalution in their assignment. All assignments will briefly answer questions outlined in learning portfolios.

Topic Overview and Course Goals

Summary:
This course provides the foundation in observational astronomy that is required for doing research involving the material between stars, or galaxies as a whole. Our current understanding of astronomical phenomena (including empirical laws, the characteristics of stars and the interstellar medium) are outlined in the context of the structure of galaxies. Emphasis is placed on our Milky Way Galaxy and text material will be supplemented with the current research results in the professional literature.

The format reflects my teaching goals which include giving the students the opportunity:
-- to be independent and responsible for their learning,
-- to learn time management skills,
-- to learn teaching and presentation skills
Level:
Offered to upper year undergraduates, this course is intended to provide strong preparation for studies at the graduate school level. However it will also enhance the activities of science students outside of astronomy who describe themselves as serious amateur astronomers.
Pre-requisites:
3rd year math and physics requirements at the level of Honours or Majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy should have been completed. A course on stars (e.g. from a text such as Carroll and Ostlie) would be an advantage.

Detailed Topics List

Literature

Required Textbooks:
"Galaxies in the Universe", Sparke, Linda and Gallagher, John S. III. Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2007
"Galactic Astronomy. Binney, James, and Merrifield, Michael." Princeton University Press, 1998.
Supplemental Textbooks:
"Galactic Astronomy. Binney, James, and Merrifield, Michael." Princeton University Press, 1998. "Galactic Astronomy. Mihalas, Dimitri and Binney, James." Princeton University Press, 1981.
"Astrophysics: Decoding the Cosmos. Judith Irwin." Wiley, 2007
Journal Papers:
Galaxies and Their Environments, Judith A. Irwin 1995, PASP, 107,715
---- colour version of Figure 1
Rotation Curves of Spiral Galaxies, Yoshiaki Sofue & Vera Rubin 2001, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. Vol. 39
Other References:
"Galaxies and Galactic Structure", Elmegreen, Debra Meloy. Prentice Hall, 1997
"Galactic Dynamics", Binney, James and Tremaine, Scott. Princeton Series in Astrophysics, 1987
"Galaxies and cosmology", Combes, Francoise. Springer, 1995
Websites:
Level 5 at NASA/Ipac Extragalactic Database (NED)


Evaluation of Performance 2012

Review of Professional Paper
30% Written Report:
Includes the background relevant to understanding paper, a summary of the paper, and an evalution of the paper. It is useful to follow the outline for extended learning portfolios for this report. An extensive outline is available at Description of Learning Portfolios.
20% Review Paper Colloquium (presentation criteria):
Seminar/colloquium at the Astronomy Journal Club which reviews the paper. Expected to be 45-50 mins long, including the question period.
5% Follow-up report on the questions from the colloquium audience, a hardcopy of the presentation, and final reflections on the material.
Course Material

Topics are listed below but others may be added at the discretion of the student. The total of 45% will be redistributed to accommodate these.
Assignments
Note: Students will work out a submission schedule with the professor at the beginning of the course. If these are handed in late, 1% is deducted per 2 days.
5% Luminosity Function and Malmquist Bias
5% Photometry of Spirals
5% Photometry of Ellipticals
10% Atomic and Molecular Hydrogen Gas - conversion between CO and H2
10% Galaxy Deprojection and Rotation Curves
5% Dark Matter in Disk Galaxies
5% A topic relevant to your presentation
Note that graduate students are expected to acheive a mark of B+ or higher in this course.

Academic Policies

The Faculty of Science asks us to inform you that academic dishonesty has serious consequences. To learn how to avoid fraud, plagiarism, and inappropriate collaboration, as well as the consequences please visit:
Academic Dishonesty Guidelines and Penalties at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/undergrad/resources/webdisciplinedocuments.html
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty. at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/resources/Discipline__Penalties_Table_Jul09.pdf
The Student Discipline Bylaw may be accessed http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/students/868.htm

Student Affairs also has a page:
Honesty and Integrity at http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/index.html
How to avoid cheating and plagiarism -- take the Academic Honesty Quiz at http://umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/academic_honesty_quiz.html
And see the Course Credit and Changes to Fee Cancellation Policy and Practices document (last 2 sections).