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Graduate Course Offerings
Graduate Course Descriptions
Graduate Course Syllabi
Undergraduate Course Offerings
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Course Syllabi
Schedule of Classes
UCSC Catalog
Astronomy & Astrophysics
201 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building (ISB)
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-2844
Fax: (831) 459-5265
Email: dept@astro.ucsc.edu
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Undergraduate Course Descriptions
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 - 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 Codes: IN, Q.)
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.)
ASTR 8 - The Violent Universe: Cosmic Catastrophes and Life on Earth
An overview of current ideas of how astronomical events have influenced evolution of life on Earth. Comet/meteor impacts, mass extinctions, dinosaur deaths, direct evidence: cratering, dealing with future impacts. Related topics: changes in planetary orbits, evolution of the sun, galaxy collisions, fate of the universe. Course intended for nonscience majors. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.)
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.
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
Observational introduction to the night sky. Naked-eye and digital observations of the moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies are used to understand astronomical phenomena. Topics range from planetary orbits to cosmology. A minimum of high school algebra and geometry is highly recommended. An understanding of mathematics at the Math 2 level is desirable. Enrollment limited to 50. (General Education Codes: IN, Q.)
ASTR 15 - Dead Stars and Black Holes
This course is primarily concerned with the structure, formation, and astrophysical manifestations of compact objects, such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes, and the astronomical evidence for their existence. A course in high school physics is recommended; course intended for science majors. (General Education Codes: IN, Q).
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.)
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.
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.)
ASTR 80B - Light, Color, and Vision
Covers a variety of optical and visual phenomena, including the nature of light, optical effects in the atmosphere, the camera and photography, simple optical instruments, the human eye and vision, binocular vision, color and color perception. A course in high school algebra is recommended as preparation. (General Education Codes: T2-Natural Sciences, Q.)
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)
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.
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.
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, and Physics 5B or 6B; Physics 101A recommended. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code: Q.)
ASTR 135 - Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory
Introduction to the 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. (Also offered as Physics 135. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course.
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.
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