Reading Assignments
Besides the readings assigned below from the two textbooks
(TB1 and TB2), it maybe helpful to consult info in the web in general
and in those given by Chau on the class web and in the library; although
tests are limited to lectures, HWs, and reading assignments listed
below. The part of the reading assignments that is not discussed
in lectures nor asked about in HWs will constitute up to about 30% of
the test questions.
Reading assignments of TB1, according to subjects (which
will be covered about one per week, approximately following the order
listed below).
Week-1 (1/6 - 1/8)
· Powers of 10,
Significant Figures, and Units; Read p.A-4
to A-12, Appendix of TB1.
Week-2 (1/9-1/15)
· Our Place in the Universe
; Read p.2-25, Chpt 1 of TB1.
Week-3 (1/16-1/22)
· The Science of Astronomy
; Read p.56-85, Chpt 3 of TB1.
· A Universe of Matter and
Energy ; Read p.114-128, Chpt 4 of TB1.
Week-4 (1/23-1/29)
· The Universal Laws of Motion
; Read p.129-151, Chpt 5 of TB1.
Week-5 (1/30-2/5 )
· Light: The Cosmic Messenger;
Read p.152-171, Chpt 6 of TB1.
Week-6 (2/6 -2/12)
· Space and Time;
Read p.432-452, S2 of TB1.
· Spacetime and Gravity;
Read p.453-476, S3 of TB1.
Week-7 (2/13-2/19)
· Building Blocks of the
Universe; Read p.476-493, S4 of TB1.
Week-8 (2/20-2/26)
· Part of Chapter
15 of TB1, Our Star, p.496-508 & summary pages (i.e.,
15.1 to 15.3 and summary pages of TB1).
· Fig. 7.20 on p.186
and its explanations; Fig. 11.8 on p. 304 and its explanations; Fig
15.23a,b on p.516 and their explanations.
· Chpt 16,
p.521-542, of TB1, "Properties of Stars".
Week-9 (2/27-3/5 )
· Part of Chapt 18, p. 574 -588, of TB1, The Bizarre
Stellar Graveyard;
· Part of Chapt 20, p. 632 -648, of TB1, Measuring
the Cosmic Distance and Age.
· Fig. 17.26 &
its explanations.
Week-10 (3/6 -3/12 )
· Part of Chapter 22 of TB1, "Dark Matter
and the Fate of the Universe," with emphasis on the following:
· · Figs. 22.9;
22.10; 22.12; 22.17; 22.18 & their explanations.
· Part of Chapter 23 of TB1,
"The Beginning of Time," with emphasis on the following.
· · Figs. 23.2;
23.4; 23.7; 23.8; 23.16; & their explanations.
Reading assignments of TB2, according to weeks (Weeks
are numbered from Thursday to Thursday. Lectures, HW's, & reading
assignments all fall in that cycle.)
Week-2 (1/9-1/15), Starting page to p.xv and
p.3-p.20 of Prefaces and Chpt 1 of TB2: Tied Up with Strings
;
Week-3 (1/16-1/22), p.23 -.52 , Chpt 2 of TB2:
"Space, Time, and the Eye of the Beholder";
Week-4 (1/23-2/29), p.53 - 84, Chpt 3 of TB2:
"Of Warps and Ripples";
Week-5 (1/30-2/5 ), p.85 - 131, Chpt 4 of
TB2: "Microscopic Weirdness;"
Week-6 (2/6 -2/12), No reading assignment
of TB2.
Week-7 (2/13-2/19), TB2, p.117-165, Chpt
5 "The Need for a New Theory: General Relativity vs. Quantum Mechanics
," and
Chpt 6 "Nothing but Musics: The Essentials of Superstring
Theory."
Week-8 (2/20-2/26), p.166-p.183,
Chpt 7 of TB2, "The 'Super' in the Superstring";
Week-9 (2/27-3/5 ), p.183-p.211, Chpt 8 of TB2,
" More Dimension Than Meet the Eye";
Week-10 (3/6 -3/12 ), P.373-387, Chapter 15
of TB2, "Prospect."
* As always, please remember to read footnotes,
Glossary, reference list, and Index.