Graduate Astronomy Course Offerings

Graduate courses in Astronomy are organized into a set of 8 core courses taught on a 2-year cycle to first- and second-year students, and a set of courses offered every year (Astronomy 810 and 830), and occasional topical seminars (Astronomy 890). Details are below.

Courses Offered in Even Academic Years (e.g., 2008/09)

Astronomy 830: Observed Properties of Stars and Galaxies.

Observed properties of individual stars and normal (non-active) galaxies.
Note: Offered every year for first-year students only.

Astronomy 810: Order-of-Magnitude Astrophysics

Methods for approximate solution of a wide range of astrophysical problems, building on basic physical principles. Offered Autumn and Winter Quarters, repeatable for a maximum of 8 credit hours.

Astronomy 823: Theoretical Spectroscopy.

Theory of atomic spectra including radiative and collisional processes for line formation by atoms, ions, and molecules in low-density plasmas and stellar atmospheres.

Astronomy 825: Radiative Gas Dynamics.

Dynamics of gas flows in astrophysical situations, including stellar winds, accretion, shock waves, and jets.

Astronomy 869: Observational Cosmology.

Properties of active galactic nuclei and quasars, the cosmological distance scale, and observational tests of cosmological models.

Astronomy 871: Physics of the Interstellar Medium.

Physical processes occurring in interstellar gas and dust.

Astronomy 890: Topical Seminars in Astronomy

Focused seminars on topics and methods of contemporary astronomical research. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credit hours, offered during Spring Quarter. Offered as demand dictates, not available all years.

Courses Offered in Odd Academic Years (e.g., 2007/08)

Astronomy 830: Observed Properties of Stars and Galaxies.

Same as in even years. Offered every year for first-year students only.

Astronomy 810: Order-of-Magnitude Astrophysics

Methods for approximate solution of a wide range of astrophysical problems, building on basic physical principles. Offered Autumn and Winter Quarters, repeatable for a maximum of 8 credit hours.

Astronomy 822: Electromagnetic Radiation.

Continuous radiation processes of astrophysical interest.

Astronomy 831: Stellar Structure and Evolution.

Theoretical aspects of the interiors and evolution of single stars.

Astronomy 870: Stellar Systems.

Dynamics and evolution of N-body systems, with application to globular clusters and galaxies.

Astronomy 873: Cosmology.

Structure and evolution of the Universe; physical processes in the Big Bang.

Astronomy 890: Topical Seminars in Astronomy

Focused seminars on topics and methods of contemporary astronomical research. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credit hours, offered during Spring Quarter. Offered as demand dictates, not available all years.