Physics 431/531: Galactic Dynamics

  Lectures:     Disque 919, Tu Th 9:30 am - 10:50 am
  Office:       Disque 610
  Phone:        (215) 895-2723
  Fax:          (215) 895-1549
  e-mail:       steve (at) physics.drexel.edu

• Course overview
  
  The goal of this course is to present an introduction to the dynamical processes responsible for the formation, structure, evolution, and present-day appearance of galaxies and the stellar systems they contain. Using our own Milky Way Galaxy as a guide, we will develop analytical and numerical tools to help us understand of the properties of these magnificent objects, near and far. For the most part, these tools will be based on familiar concepts in classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The list of topics covered is presented in more detail in the course syllabus.

• Course syllabus

• Detailed course outline

• Homeworks

  • Homework #1   (solutions)

  • Homework #2   (solutions)

  • Homework #3  
    (Here is orbit.cc: a simple C++ orbit integrator.)

  • Homework #4  

  • Homework #5