Astronomy Courses

ASTR 201. Modern Astronomy (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. Recent astronomical discoveries, space travel among planets, birth and death of stars, supernovas, pulsars, black holes, x-ray stars, radio galaxies, quasars, extra-galactic phenomena and origin of universe; some observational work. Applicable to the natural sciences general education requirement. Extra fee.

ASTR 212. The Solar System (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. Planetary, solar and space science. The moon, solar interior and atmosphere, solar/terrestrial relations, planetary structure and atmospheres, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, space exploration, origin of solar system. Some observational work. Applicable to the natural sciences general education requirement. Extra fee.

ASTR 270. Independent Study (1-3). On demand. Introduction to research in physics and astronomy; projects chosen in consultation with adviser. May include library and laboratory work. For lower division students only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

ASTR 305. Life in the Universe (3). Spring alternate years. Possibilities for life on other planets and other star systems, methods for communicating with other intelligent life, movement of human life into space. Prior completion of ASTR 201 or ASTR 212 recommended.

ASTR 307. Understanding the Cosmos (3). Spring alternate years. The universe as a whole, gravity, black holes, structure of space; other galaxies and the universal redshift, clusters of galaxies and other large-scale structure; big bang and steady state models; the three degree background radiation; first moments of creation. Prior completion of ASTR 201 recommended.

ASTR 309. Observational Astronomy (2). Fall alternate years. Instrumentation and techniques used in making astronomical observations. Includes operation of an astronomical telescope, working knowledge of celestial coordinates, obtaining photographic images of astronomical objects and digital images with data reduction. One hour lecture and two hours laboratory. Open only to majors or minors in physics or astronomy. Prior completion of ASTR 201 strongly recommended. Extra fee.

ASTR 321. Recent Progress in Astronomy (2). Fall alternate years. Pulsar dynamics, gravitational collapse and black holes, galaxies, large-scale structure in the universe, active galaxies and quasars, cosmology. Two lecture-recitations. Prerequisite: PHYS 212; or PHYS 202 and MATH 232. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 321.

ASTR 403. Stellar Structure and Evolution (3). Spring alternate years. Basic data, stellar interiors, theoretical models; advanced evolutionary states; red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovas, black holes. Prerequisites: PHYS 301 and consent of instructor. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 403.

ASTR 470. Independent Study in Astronomy (1-3). On demand. Introduction to research in astronomy; projects chosen in consultation with adviser, may include library and laboratory work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.