Astronomy Courses

Astronomy | Courses | Faculty

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted.)

100 Exploring the Universe (PS) (both sem)

For nonscience majors. Introductory survey of astronomy. How we learn about the Universe and what we already know of it, how it originated, evolves, and its ultimate fate. Emphasis on modern research in solar phenomena, stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes) and galaxy studies (including quasars).

101 The Solar System (PS) (both sem)

For nonscience majors. Introduction to the physical characteristics of the earth, moon, planets, asteroids and cometsó their motions and gravitational interactions. Recent discoveries of space probes relative to formation of the solar system and origin of life.

103 Astronomical Observations (both sem) 1 cr

Multiple sections. For nonscience students. Introduction to the night sky, telescopes, astronomical events, and celestial maps. Visual and telescopic observations of the constellations, moon, planets, stars, and other interesting astronomical objects. Planetarium trip. Attendance required.

105 Weather and Our Atmosphere (PS) (2nd sem)

Basic weather parameters, light and energy in the atmosphere. Topics include: atmospheric gases and their behavior; instability of the atmosphere; winds and their origin: large scale, small scale. Moisture: evaporation, condensation, clouds. Kinds of precipitation. Storms: hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes. Atmospheric optics: rainbows, halos, mirages. Climate and climate change.

114 Stars and Galaxies (PS) (2nd sem)
(ASTFC 14)

A freshman-level introductory course appropriate for science majors, engineering majors, and students with a strong pre-calculus background. Topics include: the observed properties of stars and the methods used to determine them, the structure and evolution of stars, the end-points of stellar evolution, our galaxy, the interstellar medium, external galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Prerequisite: high school algebra.

191 Freshman Seminar (1st sem) 1 cr

Weekly class exploring the field of astronomy and its practice. Meetings may include observing sessions, projects with University telescopes, laboratory activities, and introductions to the latest topics of astronomical research. Intended primarily for first-year students considering an astronomy major or minor, but open to all undergraduates on a space-available basis.

215 History of Astronomy (ASTFC 15)

Astronomy and cosmology from earliest times, Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Islamic; the medieval universe; Middle Ages; Copernican revolution, the infinite universe; Newtonian universe; mechanistic universe of the 18th and 19th centuries. Gravitational theory; origin, structure, and evolution of stars and galaxies; developments in modern astronomy. Nontechnical; emphasis on history and cosmology.

220 Topics in Astronomy: Astronomy and Public Policy (2nd sem) (ASTFC 20)

Astronomical issues affecting our society explored in a seminar format. Each issue approached by posing a question based on a body of scientific evidence with potential consequences for human society. The answers to these questions investigated both on scientific and societal grounds. Scientific issues include the potential threat of collisions between the earth and other solar system bodies and the potential existence of extraterrestrial life. Prerequisite: 1 semester of a physical science.

223 Planetary Science (1st sem) (ASTFC 23)

Introductory course for physical science majors. Topics include planetary orbits, rotation and precession; gravitational and tidal interactions; interiors and atmospheres of the Jovian and terrestrial planets; surfaces of the terrestrial planets and satellites; asteroids, comets, planetary rings; origin and evolution of the planets. Prerequisites: 1 semester of calculus and 1 semester of a physical science.

224 Stellar Astronomy
(ASTFC 24) 4 cr

Satisfies Junior Year Writing requirement. Computer and observational lab-based course on the observational determination of the fundamental properties of stars. An inquiry-based approach to learning scientific techniques, including hypothesis formation, pattern recognition, problem solving, data analysis, error analysis, conceptual modeling, numerical computation, and quantitative comparison between observation and theory. No previous computer programming experience required. Prerequisites: 1 semester of calculus, 1 semester of physics, introductory astronomy, and ENGLWP 112 or 113.

225 Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy (2nd sem) (ASTFC 25) 4 cr

The unsolved mystery of dark matter in the universe explored through an inquiry-based approach. Working with actual and simulated astronomical data and computer labs, students explore the topic both individually and in seminar discussions, ultimately presenting team research projects. Many of the pedagogic goals of ASTRON 224 and 225 are identical; students are therefore advised to take only one these courses. Prerequisites: 1 semester of calculus, 1 semester of physics, and introductory astronomy.

226 Cosmology (1st sem) (ASTFC 26)

Cosmological models and the relationship between models and observable parameters. Topics in current astronomy that bear upon cosmological problems, including background electromagnetic radiation, nucleosynthesis, dating methods, determinations of mean density of the universe; the Hubble constant, and tests of gravitational theories. Discussions of some questions concerning the foundations of cosmology and its future as a science. Prerequisites: 1 semester of calculus and 1 semester of a physical science.

330 Topics in Astrophysics: Mars (1st sem) (ASTFC 30)

Topic for Fall 2002: unresolved questions about the Red Planet. Interactive seminar with students and faculty reading current papers from the literature and daily reports from current mission Web sites. Topics include: location and fate of water on Mars, and how well future missions will answer this question; how the martian atmosphere has evolved over time; what rock types are present on the martian surface based on meteorite studies vs. direct observation; how geomorphic features of Mars can best be interpreted, and what they tell us about the evolution of the planet; and the possibility of life on Mars in the past or present. Prerequisites: 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of calculus, and an astronomy course at the 200 level or above.

335 Modern Astrophysics (1st sem) (ASTFC 35)

How astronomers determine the nature and extent of the universe. Following the theme of the "Cosmic Distance Ladder," an exploration of how our understanding of astrophysics allows us to evaluate the size of the observable universe. Topics include direct distance determinations in the solar system and nearby stars, spectroscopic distances of stars, star counts and the structure of our galaxy, Cepheid variables and the distances of galaxies, the Hubble Law and large-scale structure in the universe, and quasars and the Lyman-alpha forest. Prerequisites: Introductory Physics (131-132, 151-152, or 171-172), calculus through MATH 128, 132 or equivalent, and at least one prior astronomy or physics course at the 200 level or above.

337 Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (2nd sem) (ASTFC 37) 4 cr

With lab. Introduction to the techniques of gathering and analyzing astronomical data, particularly in the optical and infrared. Telescope design and optics. Instrumentation for imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Astronomical detectors. Computer graphics and image processing. Error analysis and curve fitting. Data analysis and astrophysical interpretation, with an emphasis on globular clusters. Prerequisites: ASTRON 224 or 225; 2 semesters of physics, and 2 semesters of calculus.

338 Techniques of Radio Astronomy
(alt yrs) (ASTFC 38) 4 cr

With lab. Equipment, techniques, nature of cosmic radio sources. Radio receiver and antenna theory. Radio flux, brightness temperature and the transfer of radio radiation in cosmic sources. Effect of noise, sensitivity, bandwidth, and antenna efficiency. Techniques of beam switching, interferometry and aperture synthesis. Basic types of radio astronomical sources: ionized plasmas, masers, recombination and hyperfine transitions; nonthermal sources. Applications to the sun, interstellar clouds, and extragalactic objects. Prerequisites: 2 semesters of physics and 2 semesters of calculus.

451 Astrophysics I: Stars and Stellar Evolution (ASTFC 51) 4 cr

The application of physics to the understanding of astronomical phenomena. Physical principles governing the properties of stars, their formation and evolution: radiation laws and the determination of stellar temperatures and luminosities; Newton's laws and the determination of stellar masses; hydrostatic equation and the themodynamics of gas and radiation; nuclear fusion and stellar energy generation; physics of degenerate matter and the evolution of stars to white dwarfs, neutron stars or black holes; nucleosynthesis in supernova explosions; dynamics of mass transfer in binary systems; viscous accretion disks in star formation and x-ray binaries. Prerequisites: 4 semesters of physics. PHYSIC 421 or equivalent strongly recommended.

452 Astrophysics II: Galaxies (2nd sem) (ASTFC 52) 4 cr

The application of physics to the understanding of astronomical phenomena. Physical processes in the gaseous interstellar medium: photoionization in HII regions and planetary nebulae; shocks in supernova remnants and stellar jets; energy balance in molecular clouds. Dynamics of stellar systems: star clusters and the virial theorem; galaxy rotation and the presence of dark matter in the universe; spiral density waves. Quasars and active galactic nuclei: synchroton radiation; accretion disks; supermassive black holes. Prerequisites: 4 semesters of physics. PHYSIC 421 or equivalent strongly recommended.

Astronomy | Courses | Faculty