Course Summary:
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This course aims to familiarize the student with the contents of the Milky Way (stellar, gaseous, and dark) and to place the Milky Way in context with respect to other galaxies. The emphasis will be on how information is gathered about our Galaxy and some of the assumptions and limitations of these processes.
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Lectures:
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Tuesdays: 12:30 p.m., Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., in room 362 Stirling
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Text:
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There is no single text that applies to the course, as is typical for courses at the graduate level. We will be appealing to a variety of scientific publications as needed. However, the text, Galactic Astronomy, by James Binney and Michael Merrifield (Princeton Series in Astrophysics) is still relevant, especially regarding processes.
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Evaluation:
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Four assignments (10% each) for a total of 40%. One in-depth written assignment, also presented to the class (1/2 hour) for 20% and a final oral exam for 40%.
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