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*  *  *   Astronomy 21 -- Galaxies and Cosmology -- Winter 2008   *  *  *
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Course website:  http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~george/ay21/

Instructor: George Djorgovski, george 'at' astro, 395-4415, 221 Robinson
          Office hours:  by arrangement

TAs:      Yacine Ali-Haimoud, yacine 'at' astro, ph. 395-2684, rm. 158 West Bridge
          Office hours:  by arrangement

Times and location:  Mon & Fri, 1 - 2:30, in 106 Robinson
          A few make-up lectures will be at 1-2 pm on Wed's, same location.

Textbook: "Extragalactic astronomy and cosmology: an introduction", by Peter
          Schneider, QB857.5.E96 S36 2006, Springer, 2006, ISBN 978-3540331742

Strongly recommended: "Introduction to Cosmology", by Barbara Ryden, 
          QB981 .R93 2003, Addison-Wesley, 2003, ISBN 0-8053-8912-1.
          It covers cosmology, but not galaxies.
           
          Another book, which you do not have to buy, but I think you would
          find an enjoyable supplementary reading, is "Cosmology - The Science
          of the Universe", by Edward Harrison, QB981 .H37 1999, Cambridge
          Univ. Press, 2000, ISBN 0-521-66148-X (there is also an earlier edn.)

          Supplemental readings will be linked to the class webpage.

Grading:  30% homeworks, 15% web research project, 20% midterm, 30% final,
          5% class participation

          Late homework penalty:  -50% per day or fraction thereof.  We will
          give indulgences only for really good reasons (sickness, if you have
          a note from the doctor; death in the immediate family; being abducted
          by a UFO, with a convincing proof; etc.).  No late exams will be
          accepted, except maybe for -very- serious health related reasons.

Collaboration policy:  NO collaboration is allowed for the final and midterm
          exams.  For the homeworks, you can discuss the problems with other
          students, but only in general terms, and you have to derive your
          own solutions.  You CANNOT use any old homework solutions from
          anyone or anywhere or anywhen.

The honor code applies.