Undergraduate Course Schedule

Undergraduate Course Syllabi

ASTR 1 - The Cosmos
An overview of the main ideas in our current view of the universe, and how they came about. Galaxies, quasars, stars, pulsars, and planets.  Same as Astromomy 2 but without math and therefore does not fulfull "Q" requirement. (General Education Codes: IN)

ASTR 2 - Overview of the Universe
An overview of the main ideas in our current view of the universe, and how they came about. Galaxies, quasars, stars, pulsars, and planets. Intended primarily for nonscience majors interested in a one-quarter survey of classical and modern astronomy. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.)

ASTR 3 - Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System
Properties of the solar system, the sun, solar system exploration, the physical nature of the Earth and the other planets, comets and asteroids, origin of the solar system, possibility of life on other worlds, planet formation, and search for planets beyond the solar system. Intended for nonscience majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately or sequentially. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.)

ASTR 4 - Introductory Astronomy: The Stars
Stellar evolution: observed properties of stars, internal structure of stars, stages of a star's life including stellar births, white dwarfs, supernovae, pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes. Planet and constellation identification. Intended for nonscience majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately or sequentially. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) A. Steinacker

ASTR 5 - The Formation and Evolution of the Universe
The universe explained. Esoteric concepts of modern cosmology presented plainly for nonscience majors. The history of the cosmos from big bang to now. How we got here. How physics determines the fate of the universe. Simple algebra and geometry needed for homework; tests do not emphasize math. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately or sequentially. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.) J. Brodie

ASTR 12 - Stars and Stellar Evolution
An introduction to the observational facts and physical theory pertaining to stars. Topics include the observed properties of stars and the physics underlying those properties, stellar atmospheres, stellar structure and evolution. It is recommended that students have completed a minimum of high school algebra and physics; course intended principally for science students. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Codes: IN, Q). S. Woosley

ASTR 13 - Galaxies, Cosmology, and High Energy Astrophysics
An introduction to modern cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. Topics include the origin of the universe, Big Bang cosmology, expansion of the universe, dark matter, properties of galaxies and active galactic nuclei, and very energetic phenomena in our own and other galaxies. It is recommended that students have completed a minimum of high school algebra and physics; course intended principally for science majors. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.)

ASTR 14 - Observational Astronomy
Intended for science majors and qualified non-science majors. Knowledge of high school physics and an understanding of mathematics at the Math 2 level required. Enrollment limited to 60. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.)

ASTR 15 - Dead Stars and Black Holes
Intended for science majors and qualified non-science majors. Knowledge of high school physics and an understanding of mathematics at the Math 2 level required. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.)

ASTR 16 - Life in the Universe.
Topics include the detection of extrasolar planets, planetary habitable zones, planet formation, stellar evolution and properties of stars, the exploration of our solar system and the search for life within it, and the evolution of life on Earth. The course is aimed at science majors. Enrollment limited to 50. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) A. Steinacker

ASTR 18 - Planets and Planetary Systems
Overview of our solar system and those recently discovered around nearby stars. Topics include formation of planets, structure of planets, moons and rings, asteroids and comets, ground-based and space-based observations, and physical processes. A course in high school physics is recommended; course intended for science majors. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.) C. Max

ASTR 70 - Honors Undergraduate Seminar in Astrophysical Research (2 credits). F
Explores current problems in astrophysical research and how they are being solved by practicing scientists. Each presentation-discussion focuses on a different problem or question, explaining how the problem relates to broader astronomical issues, describing the methods used to solve the problem and reviewing the hoped for, or anticipated outcome. Intended for students considering a career in the physical sciences. Enrollment by permission of instructor, with preference to first and second year students majoring in physics or Earth sciences. G. Smith

ASTR 80A - The Space-Age Solar System
Exploration of the solar system during the space age: the early history of rocket development, the Apollo program and the exploration of the moon, studying the earth from space, and the planets of the solar system as revealed by unmanned spacecraft. Intended for nonscience majors. (General Education Codes: T2-Natural Sciences, Q.) G. Smith

ASTR 80D - Historical Astronomy
Historical development of astronomical thought, from stone megaliths to the expanding universe; Western astronomy from ancient Greece to the 20th century; prehistorical and non-Western astronomy; role of astronomy in development of modern science; political, social, and cultural aspects of astronomy. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code: T2-Natural Sciences, W) A. Steinacker

Upper-Division Courses

ASTR 112 - Physics of Stars
The leading observational facts about stars as interpreted by current theories of stellar structure and evolution. Spectroscopy, abundances of the elements, nucleosynthesis, stellar atmospheres, stellar populations. Final stages of evolution, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovae. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A, and Physics 5B or 6B. Physics 101A recommended. J. Fortney

ASTR 113 - Physical Cosmology
A physical examination of our evolving universe: the Big Bang model; simple aspects of general relativity, particle physics in the early universe, production of various background radiations, production of elements, tests of geometry of the universe, and formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A and Physics 6B. Physics 101A recommended. P. Madau

ASTR 117 - High Energy Astrophysics
Theory and practice of space and ground-based x-ray and gamma-ray astronomical detectors. High-energy emission processes, neutron stars, black holes. Observations of x-ray binaries, pulsars, magnetars, clusters, gamma-ray bursts, the x-ray background. High-energy cosmic rays. Neutrino and gravitational-wave astronomy. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A.

ASTR 118 - Physics of Planetary Systems
Determination of the physical properties of the solar system, its individual planets, and extrasolar planetary systems through ground-based and space-based observations, laboratory measurements, and theory. Theories of the origin and evolution of planets and planetary systems. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A or 23B, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A.
 

ASTR 135A - Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory (3 credits)
Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions. (Also offered as Physics 135A. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course. R. Dewey

ASTR 135B - Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory (2 credits)
Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions. (Also offered as Physics 135B. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course. R. Dewey

ASTR 171 - General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology
Special relativity is reviewed. Curved space-time, including the metric and geodesics, is illustrated with simple examples. Einstein equations are solved for cases of high symmetry. Black hole physics and cosmology are discussed, including recent developments. (Also offered as Physics 171. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 105, 110B, and 114B. M. Dine

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