Advanced Topics in Astrophysics (441-0-1)

Topic

Supermassive Black Holes

Instructors

Claude Andre Faucher Giguere
Tech F243

Meeting Info

555 Clark 230: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course will explore the many facets of supermassive black holes in astrophysics. Supermassive black holes are generally found in galaxy centers and are crucial to multiple areas of astrophysics, including galaxy formation and evolution, time-domain astrophysics (e.g., tidal disruption events), and gravitational-wave astrophysics.

The course aims to bring together graduate students interested in all these aspects. The course will cover a combination of fundamental concepts necessary to understand the physics and observations of supermassive black holes and connections to cutting-edge research.

Rather than a traditional lecture course, the class will collaborate on an interactive study of some key topics necessary to effectively appreciate and/or participate in ongoing research on supermassive black holes. Students will lead many of the in-class discussions.