Physics 65 Term Project

(1) Research an astronophysical topic. The topic may be either a deeper investigation of a topic discussed in class or an investigation of a topic outside the class syllabus. You must confirm your topic with me.
(2) Students who have taken courses up to Physics 20 should turn in a paper (~10 pages) about their topics.
(3) 'Advanced' students (those with classwork beyond Physics 20) may either turn in a 10 page paper or give a 15 minute talk about their research topics. In the case of a talk, students should turn in their presentations (electronically) AND a complete list of references. This talk may be based on a web page or powerpoint presentation. The talk may be presented anytime before the end of the term; talk to me to make an appointment.

Suggested Project Topics

Possible topics include, but are NOT LIMITED to the following:

Cool New Astrophysical Phenomena
Gamma Ray Bursts/Hypernovae (Nate)
Magnetars (Pat)
Dark Energy (Mark)
Strange Matter Stars (Jess)

Computational modeling projects
Stellar Structure
Obiting binary systems
Galaxy Interaction

Topics mentioned in Class or Reading
The Solar Cycle
Solar Magnetism (Smitesh)
The Solar Neutrino Problem (Cisco)
Stellar Magnetic Fields
Stellar Convection
Stellar Mass Measurements
Observations of the Mass/Luminosity Relationship for Stars
Interstellar Dust: Composition and Structure
Magnetic Fields in the Interstellar Medium
The Initial Mass Function
Planet Formation/Solar System Formation
Formation of Ring Systems
Physics of Planetary Atmospheres
Origin of Comets (Rebecca)
Stellar Pulsation
Helioseismology
Structure of Stellar Remnants: White Dwarfs or Neutron Stars
Type I Supernovae (Harlan)
Evidence for Supermassive Black Holes (Fred)
Evidence for Stellar Sized Black Holes (Mike)
Population III Stars (First Generation Stars)
The Kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy
Chemical Evolution of Galaxies
Accretion of Satellites by Galaxies
The Magellanic Stream
The Effect of Bars on Galaxy Evolution
Comparisons of Galaxy Morphology at Different Wavelengths
Warps in Galaxy Disks
Gravitational Lensing and Mass Distributions of Galaxies or the Universe
Latest Measurements of the Hubble Constant (Holly)
Hot versus Cold Dark Matter
Dark Matter Candidates: MACHO's
Dark Matter Candidates: WIMP's
Hawking Radiation (Seth)

Possible References

Ask me - I can help you find and photocopy material from books I have available
Internet sources
Library
Interviews with other faculty in the department
 

Last updated: May 24, 2001