Credit for ASTR 100 cannot be obtained after, or
simultaneously with, receiving credit for any astronomy course numbered
250 or higher. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ASTR
100 or ASTR 101 or ASTR 120. An elementary course in descriptive
astronomy, especially appropriate for non-science students. Sun, moon,
planets, stars and nebulae, galaxies, evolution.
ASTR 101 -- General Astronomy (4 credits)
Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory, and one hour of
discussion/recitation per week. Credit for ASTR 101 cannot be obtained
after, or simultaneously with, receiving credit for any astronomy course
numbered 250 or higher. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 or ASTR 120. Descriptive astronomy,
appropriate for non-science majors. Sun, moon, planets, stars, nebulae,
galaxies and evolution. Laboratory exercises include use of photographic
material, computer simulations and observing sessions if weather permits.
ASTR 120 -- Introductory Astrophysics - Solar System (3 credits)
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 115. Not open to students who have completed
ASTR 100, ASTR 101 or ASTR 200. Credit will be granted for only one of
the following: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 or ASTR 120 or ASTR 200. For students
majoring in astronomy or with a strong interest in science. Topics include
development of astronomy, planetary orbits, electromagnetic radiation,
telescopes as well as constituents and origin of the solar system (planets,
satellites, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, etc.).
ASTR 121 -- Introductory Astrophysics II - Stars and Beyond (4 credits)
Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites:
MATH 115 and ASTR 120, or permission of department. Not open to students
who have completed ASTR 200. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200. For students majoring in astronomy or
with a strong interest in science. Includes instrumentation, stellar
properties, stellar evolution, structure of the galaxy, other galaxies,
large scale structure, Big Bang Theory and future of the universe.
ASTR 220 -- Collisions in Space (3 credits)
Not open to astronomy majors. Appropriate for non-science majors.
Application of scientific method to the study of collisions in space.
Impact cratering on planets and satellites. Possible implications
for the Earth. Interactions between stars and galaxies. Possible
effects due to supermassive black holes. Events like the 1994 comet
crash on Jupiter and data from the Hubble Space Telescope will be
highlighted.
ASTR 288 -- Special Projects in Astronomy (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits.
Independent study, short research projects, tutorial reading, and
assisting with faculty research and teaching under supervision.
ASTR 300 -- Stars and Stellar Systems (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 and completion of CORE Distributive
Studies requirement in Mathematics and Science or permission of
department. Designed primarily for non-science majors. Study of
star-types, properties, evolution, and distribution in space; supernovae,
pulsars, and black holes.
ASTR 310 -- Observational Astronomy (3 credits)
Three hours of lecture and one hour of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: [PHYS 273 and PHYS 276] or [PHYS 263 and PHYS 263A] or
permission of department. For ASTR majors only. Introduction to current
optical observational techniques, with brief coverage of infrared,
ultraviolet and x-ray techniques. Statistics, spherical trigonometry time,
catalogs, geometrical and physical optics, telescopes, optical instruments.
Effects of the atmosphere. Practical work at the observatory using a
CCD camera. Some night-time observing sessions.
ASTR 320 -- Theoretical Astrophysics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; PHYS 273 or PHYS 263; or permission
of department. Application of selected physics concepts in an astrophysical
context. Topics would include gravity (Keplerian motion, Virial theorem,
Roche limit, dynamical friction); gas dynamics (hydrostatic equilibrium,
stellar models, spiral density waves), thermodynamics and statistical
physics (Boltzmann distribution, Wien displacement, convective instability,
degenerate gas); atomic physics (quantum principles, H atom, permitted
and forbidden lines); radiation processes (line radiation, opacity).
ASTR 330 -- Solar-System Astronomy (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 and completion of CORE Distributive
Studies requirement in Mathematics and Sciences or permission of department.
Designed primarily for non-physical science majors. The structure of planets
and of their atmospheres, the nature of comets, asteroids, and satellites.
Comparison of various theories for the origin of the solar system. Emphasis
on a description of recent data and interpretation.
ASTR 340 -- Origin of the Universe (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 and completion of the CORE Distributive
Studies requirement in Mathematics and the Sciences or permission of
department. A study of our progression of knowledge about the universe.
Topics include: early cosmological models, geocentric vs. heliocentric
theory, curvature of space, Hubble's Law, Big Bang Theory, microwave
background radiation, evolution of stars and galaxies, dark matter, active
galaxies, quasars and the future of the universe.
ASTR 380 -- Life in the Universe (3 credits)
Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion/recitation per week.
Prerequisites: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 and completion of CORE Distributive
Studies requirement in Mathematics and Sciences or permission of department.
For non physical science majors only. Junior standing. Study of the
astronomical perspective on the conditions for the origin and existence
of life in the universe.
ASTR 398 -- Special Topics in Astronomy (3 credits)
Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of department. Repeatable to
6 credits if content differs. This course is designed primarily for
students not majoring in astronomy and is suitable for nonscience students.
It will concentrate study in some limited field in astronomy which will
vary from semester to semester. Possible subjects for study are the solar
system, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, the inconstant universe.
ASTR 399 -- Honors Seminar (1-16 credits)
Enrollment is limited to students admitted to the departmental honors
program in astronomy. Credit according to work done.
Undergraduate and Graduate Level Courses
ASTR 410 -- Radio Astronomy (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; or PHYS 263 or PHYS 273; or
permission of department. Introduction to current observational
techniques in radio astronomy. The radio sky, coordinates and catalogs,
antenna theory, Fourier transforms, interferometry and arrays, aperture
synthesis, radio detectors.
Introduction to the most important computational techniques being used
in research in astrophysics. Topics include modern high performance
computer architectures, scientific visualization and data analysis,
and detailed descriptions of numerical algorithms for the solution
to a wide range of mathematical systems important in astrophysics.
ASTR 421 -- Galaxies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; or PHYS 263 or PHYS 273; or
permission of department. Structure, kinematics, and dynamics of
normal disk and elliptical galaxies, including our own Milky
Way Galaxy. Detailed analysis of the stellar and gaseous components.
Physics of exotic objects like interacting galaxies, mergers,
starburst galaxies, and active galactic nuclei.
ASTR 422 -- Cosmology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; or PHYS 263 or PHYS 273; or
permission of department. Large-scale structure of the universe,
and the intergalactic medium. Dark matter. Csomological models
including the Standard Big Bang model -- predictions (e.g.
nucleosynthesis, cosmic background radiation) versus observations.
Cosmological constant. Galaxy formation and evolution.
ASTR 430 -- The Solar System (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; or PHYS 263 or PHYS 273; or
permission of department. Formation and evolution of the Solar System.
Planetary surfaces, interiors, atmospheres, and magnetospheres.
Asteroids, comets, planetary satellites, and ring systems. Emphasis
on using basic physics to understand observed properties of the Solar
System. Intended for students majoring in the physical sciences.
ASTR 450 -- Orbital Dynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 121 or ASTR 200; or PHYS 263 or PHYS 273; or
permission of department. Vectorial mechanics, motion in a central
force field, gravitational and non-gravitational forces, the
two-body and three-body problems, orbital elements and orbital
perturbation theory, resonances in the solar system, chaos. Intended
for students majoring in any of the physical sciences.
ASTR 498 -- Special Problems in Astronomy (1-6 credits)
Prerequisite: major in physics or astronomy or permission of department.
Research or special study. Credit according to work done.
Graduate Level Courses
ASTR 601 -- Radiative Processes (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Emission, absorption, and
scattering of radiation by matter, with astrophysical applications.
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics: LTE, Boltzmann, and Saha
equations; radiative transfer; atomic and molecular radiation; plasma
radiation and transfer; bremsstrahlung, synchrotron emisison,
Compton scattering.
ASTR 606 -- Stellar Structure and Evolution (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 601 or permission of department. Models of stellar
atmospheres, methods of determining properties of stars, physical
principles governing stellar interiod processes, observational data
for determining stellar evolution, nuclear processes, stellar modeling.
ASTR 610 -- Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Review of Maxwell's equations;
designs of telescopes, spectrographs, modern detectors; basic concepts for
radio detectors and telescopes; interferometry and data processing.
ASTR 620 -- Galaxies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Galaxy classifications;
Milky way: basic data, distribution of stars, gas, dust and relativistic
particles, large-scale structure and rotation; Spiral galaxies: stellar
dynamics and stability, density waves, star bursts, galactic center;
Elliptical galaxies: stellar dynamics, cannabalism; galaxy formation.
ASTR 640 -- Radiation and Plasma Processes (3 credits)
Corequisite: PHYS 606 or permission of department. Radiation processes
with emphasis on radiation from energetic electrons, synchrotron and
inverse-Compton radiation, bremsstrahlung and astrophysical applications.
The plasma dielectric and the "zoo" of plasma waves. Use of kinetic theory
to derive fluid dynamics; discussion of MHD in its various limits of
astrophysical use; some instabilities.
ASTR 670 -- Interstellar Medium and Gas Dynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ASTR 601 or permission of department. Content of phases
of the interstellar medium: physical processes in the ISM: ionization
equilibrium, heating and cooling, interstellar dust; gas dynamics:
fluid motions, instabilities, shock waves; magnetohydrodynamics.
ASTR 688 -- Special Topics in Modern Astronomy (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Special topics such as
extragalactic radio sources, plasma astrophysics, the H.R. diagram,
chemistry of the interstellar medium, radiophysics of the sun.
ASTR 690 -- Research Project I (3 credits)
ASTR 695 -- Introduction to Research (1 credit)
Provides an introduction to research programs in the Department of
Astronomy and a forum to explore possible research projects. Aimed
at incoming graduate students.
ASTR 699 -- Special Problems in Advanced Astronomy (1-6 credits)
ASTR 788 -- Selected Topics in Modern Astronomy (1-3 credits)
ASTR 799 -- Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits)
ASTR 899 -- Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 credits)
