Modern Sterrenkundig Onderzoek 2006

Topic: Aspects of Stellar Evolution

Location & Time

The courses usually takes place in the Huygens Lab #427 or #214 on Fridays from 11:15 - 13:00 hr (see schedule below for changes in room or time).

Docent

Dr. Bernhard Brandl

Office: #535 in the Oort Building, Phone (071) 527-5830, Email brandl@strw.leidenuniv.nl.

The course language is English. The course is counted with 4 EC points (jointly with PC1b).

Goals

Learn how to:

1. Find the right questions to address scientific problems
2. Find relevant information in the literature and on the web
3. Filter the overwhelming amount of information and derive your conclusions
4. Give a good presentation (using PowerPoint or similar tools)
5. Defend your findings in discussions
6. Set up a website
7. (and last but not least:) Learn a lot about a specific topic

Approach

1. Discuss and select one topic of current interest in astronomy.
2. Split the general topic in several subtopics that will be addressed in individual talks.
3. The students will search for, select and read publications on these sub-topics.
4. Each student will present his/her topic in the course, followed by a general discussion.
5. The second round of presentations will be video taped and discussed with Paul van Ditzhuyzen [PC1b].
6. Finally, a project course website (MODOZ 2004, 2005) will be designed in HTML, combining all presentations.

Grading

The main components are the two presentations and a multiple choice test on the presentations given in the course. The presentations are graded for both style and content. If both presentations are given and the final test is passed (>50%), the default grade will be 6 points. Better grades are of course possible, based on:

• Quality of both presentations (+/o/-)
• Final exam
• Participation in discussions
• Project web page
• Other outstanding contributions

For illustration, here's an example "grade sheet" from one of the last courses.

Important requirements:

• You should get a computer account at the Sterrewacht (needed for access to journals).
• If you do not have an account yet, please talk to our computer group (Huygens Lab #509) ASAP.
• The computers in the Huygens Lab #421 and the Oort Building #442 can be used.

Schedule (will be updated regularly)

Talks for the 1st round of presentations

Talks for the 2nd round of presentations

All presentations in PPT format