615.662.82 - Introduction to Astrophysics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into 14 modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. Each module is divided into one or more videos, and includes a homework assignment. Course modules become available on Saturdays; please see Course Schedule for all due dates.  There will be a "Review Paper" on a topic that will be discussed and assigned several weeks into the course and will count 30% of the final grade calculation.

Course Topics

The course will be given at an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level. Topics will include:

• star formation by gravitational collapse
• theory of stellar structure – thermodynamics of matter and radiation, hydrostatic equilibrium
• ionization in stellar interior and stellar atmospheres
• radiative and convective heat transport, opacity, Eddington limit
• stellar spectra, classification of stars, mass-luminosity relation
• energy production in stars, thermonuclear fusion, p-p chain and CNO cycle, helium burning and beyond
• white dwarfs and endpoint of stellar evolution
• neutron stars and black holes

Course Goals

To explore the thermal and nuclear properties of matter and radiation under extreme conditions in order to understand the most important aspects of stellar structure and evolution.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Explain the physics of star formation.
• Explain hydrostatic equilibrium and possible tracks followed by a star on a Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) diagram.
• Explain thermal properties and interaction of matter and radiation under extreme conditions of stellar interiors.
• Explain the physics of energy transport from the center to the surface of a star.
• Describe equations of stellar structure and illustrate using simple models.
• Explain the physical properties of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.

Textbooks

• The course lectures and notes are meant to be self-contained and all you need for a successful completion of this course.  For much more detailed discussions you may consult:
  • Chandrasekhar, “An Introduction to Stellar Structure”
  • Clayton, “Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nuclear Synthesis”
  • Rose, “Advanced Stellar Astrophysics”
  • Rybicki and Lightman, “Radiative Processes in Astrophysics”
  • Shapiro and Teukolsky, “Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars:  the Physics of Compact Objects”

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 6–13 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the lecture notes and other references (approximately 3–4 hours per week), watching the videos (approximately 2 – 3 hours per week), and completing assignments (approximately 1–6 hours per week).  This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

• Preparation and Participation (10% of Final Grade Calculation):
  
  Each week you are required to complete a discussion post explaining points or concepts that challenged you most. These will help me to offer guidance and feedback, as well as providing the opportunity for other students to offer their experience and thoughts. Discussions take place using the Discussion thread (please do not create new threads and do not post discussions in the Q & A thread). Try to be as detailed as possible in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. You may mention and discuss any scientifically reputable link(s) pertaining to the discussion.
  
  Student Question and Answer (Q & A) – will be available each week so that students can interact with each other and ask questions on the homework/resources of the week. These should take place using the Q & A thread. I will monitor them and post anything that I feel everyone in class would benefit from.
  
  
• Assignments (60% of Final Grade Calculation): 
  
  Assignment (homework problems) will be relevant to the learning objectives and will be assigned a numerical value with a maximum of 100. The final grade will be based on 14 equally weighted homework problem sets. All assignment must be submitted as PDF files in BlackBoard. The preferred method of producing your PDF file is LaTex, but you can use word processing software (such as Word) with ability to write equations. If your handwriting is excellent and very legible then you can submit PDF versions of well scanned pages (as ONE file); cell phone photos of handwritten pages are often unacceptable because of bad lighting, viewing angle, and size.  Late submission grade maximum attainable value will be reduced.  Assignment grades will be available within 7-10 days after submission.  Second attempts will be granted when deserved; should you be asked to make a second attempt then you must submit your second attempt within 3 days so as to receive 90% of the maximum grade.
  
• Course Paper (30% of Final Grade Calculation): 
  
  Topics for a review paper will be assigned several weeks into the course. The final paper must be a presentation quality PDF file.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates discussed above (Course Structure). Grades will be posted 7-9 days after homework due date. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.
Grading Schema:

Score Range	Letter Grade
100-98	= A+
97-94	= A
93-90	= A−
89-87	= B+
86-83	= B
82-80	= B−
79-70	= C
<70	= F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Item	% of Final Grade
Preparation and Participation	10
Weekly Assignments	60
Review Paper	30

Course Evaluation

Modules become available on Saturdays with assignments due the nearly 12 days later at midnight (see Course Schedule for exact due dates).  Second attempts may be allowed and if asked to redo a given homework then it must be submitted no later than 3 days in order to receive full credit; otherwise the maximum allowed grade will be reduced for being late.  The reduction on maximum allowed grade also applies to late homework submissions unless prior arrangements have been made with instructor(s).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course. 

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions, and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact EP Student Disability Services at ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu. 

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. For a full description of the code please visit the Student Conduct Code website.

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.