ASTRONOMY 330
The Nature of the Universe

Observatory Supervisor
Dr. Steven Souza (ssouza@williams.edu)
Office: 117 TPL
Office Hours: Wednesday, 10-11 AM
Phone: x 3210

Class Meetings
Monday and Thursday: 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm in TPL 203.

Text
Foundations of Modern Cosmology, 2^nd edition by Hawley and Holcomb, published by Oxford University Press, available at Water Street Books, Amazon.com, or other outlets.
Click here for the text website.

Syllabus
Click here for the course syllabus.

News & Announcements --
Click here for course news and announcements. The "new" flag means something has been posted in the last week.

Observing
Recognizing that celestial observations are the raw materials upon which cosmological theory is ultimately based, students will carry out observations from the Observing Deck on the 4^th floor of TPL. Observing is mandatory: i.e., if you don't do it, regardless of your exam grades, you won't pass the course.

There will be a series of observing orientation sessions during evenings of the second week of classes. You are required to attend one; signup sheets will be available in class.

Homework

Course Requirements and Grading
Midterm Exams: Thursday, March 8 and Thursday, April 26, in class; each counts 25% toward the the final grade.

Final Exam: Wednesday, May 16, 9:30 AM; place TPL 203; counts 30% toward the final grade.

Observing: Three observations; at least one completed prior to Spring Break. Observing counts 10% toward the final grade. Details will be provided in class.

Homework: counts 10% toward the final grade.

Attendance: Attendance in class is assumed. Though I won't take attendance regularly, I reserve the right to take it into account when assigning the final grade. If you will be routinely missing class, you should not take this course.

Course Material Links --
Here is a page with great links relevant to this course as well as links of general astronomical interest; I update them so check them periodically.

Disabilities Statement
Students with disabilities who may need disability-related classroom accommodations for this course are encouraged to meet with me as soon as possible and to contact the Dean's Office so that the proper arrangements can be made.

Honor System
Students are reminded of the honor system as described in the Student Handbook. No collaboration at all is allowed on exams. Students may work together on homework assignments, but submitted writeups must be done individually. If you are in any doubt about how the honor system applies to a particular part of the course, please ask me.

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