Syllabus for Roster(s):
- 16F USEM 1580-003 (PROV)
- 16F USEM 1580-003 (PROV) Waitlist
In the UVaCollab course site: 16F USEM1580-001
Full Syllabus
USEM Origin - 2015 Fall
The Origin of the Universe, course organization and syllabus
Time and place: Monday, 15:30 - 17:20, Room 218 Physics Bldg.
Instructor: V. Celli, Room 306 Physics Bldg, Tel. 9822054, vc@virginia.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 13:30 - 15:00 or by appointment.
Office hours: Tuesday 13:30 - 15:00 or by appointment.
Grading policy: Homework 40%, Attendance and class participation 30%, Class presentation or term paper 30%.
Homework will be assigned (almost) every week. It is not pledged. There will be a choice of questions, or topics. Some questions will involve algebra and even simple calculus, but you can opt to answer only questions that do not require math, without penalty. Keep your answers to each question/problem within one page, if at all possible.
Homework due Jan 23 (for instance) will be collected at the beginning of class on that day. It can be typed or handwritten (but legible). It can also be emailed or submitted through Collab before the beginning of class. If you submit electronically, leaving a note in the homework collection box will serve as a reminder to me and as proof of attendance.
For text files and simple math, the plain .txt or .rtf formats are fine. Formulas such as E = m*c^2 or g = 9.8 m/s^2, can be encoded as shown. It is convenient to use notation like 4.2e6 to indicate 4200000, or 4.2 millions. If you have complicated formulas, or Greek letters, or figures, you can make a Word file, or use programs such as Matlab, Maple, or Mathematica. You can also print out the text and add math or sketches by hand. I usually produce the handouts as .tex or .latex files, and you are welcome to use these formats (which are standard in math and the physical sciences). For easy access, I usually convert files to .pdf before posting.
Homework due Jan 23 (for instance) will be collected at the beginning of class on that day. It can be typed or handwritten (but legible). It can also be emailed or submitted through Collab before the beginning of class. If you submit electronically, leaving a note in the homework collection box will serve as a reminder to me and as proof of attendance.
For text files and simple math, the plain .txt or .rtf formats are fine. Formulas such as E = m*c^2 or g = 9.8 m/s^2, can be encoded as shown. It is convenient to use notation like 4.2e6 to indicate 4200000, or 4.2 millions. If you have complicated formulas, or Greek letters, or figures, you can make a Word file, or use programs such as Matlab, Maple, or Mathematica. You can also print out the text and add math or sketches by hand. I usually produce the handouts as .tex or .latex files, and you are welcome to use these formats (which are standard in math and the physical sciences). For easy access, I usually convert files to .pdf before posting.
Class participation will be encouraged by simple assignments of two types:
- One student will be in charge of giving a summary and review of each class period.
- All students will be asked to hand in homework at the beginning of class and should be prepared to discuss it.
Class presentations can be given individually or jointly as a team. An individual presentation should last approximately 15 minutes (that means at least 10 minutes, but less than 20), plus 5 minutes for questions and comments. A team presentation by two students should last approximately 30 minutes, and so on. A written outline of the presentation is due (for review and approval) one week in advance. It should fit on one or two printed pages, plus references on a separate page. In recent years most students have used PowerPoint for their presentation, but other formats are acceptable and add to variety. On the day of the presentation, or shortly thereafter, submit an e-copy of the PowerPoint file (if any), or a printout of it, or an extended outline and summary of your presentation (2-4 pages).
A term paper should be between 5 and 10 printed pages in length. It should be accompanied by a list of references consulted, an explicit acknowledgment of any help received, and a pledged statement that:
"I have received no help in the preparation of this term paper, except as noted above."
(If nobody helped you, simply omit "except as noted above" and the acknowledgment.)
"I have received no help in the preparation of this term paper, except as noted above."
(If nobody helped you, simply omit "except as noted above" and the acknowledgment.)
Syllabus: The required textbooks are The Illustrated A Brief History of Time, Updated and Expanded Edition (1996), by Stephen Hawking, and The Grand Design, by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow (available on Kindle). We will read and comment these books, at the rate of one chapter a week, more or less. Additional material will come from current articles, web sites, videotapes, and DVD's as time permits. Please bring to class, or to my attention, items of interest.