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Department of Astronomy

Undergraduate Astronomy Course Offerings

Please read Which astronomy course should you take? for a detailed description of the scope and intended audiences for each of these courses.

Astronomy 141: Life in the Universe (U 5)
Potential for life elsewhere in the universe, based on discovery of extra-solar planets and the nature of life on Earth; Search strategies for such life.

GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 142: Black Holes (U 5)
The nature, formation, and discovery of black holes in the Universe.

Prereq: Math 075 or 076. GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 143: History of the Universe (U 5)
Description of the history of the Universe from the Big Bang to the present; how observatios led to the discovery of this history.

Au, Wi Qtrs, 5 cl or 3 1.5-h cl. Not open to students with credit for 162, 172, or 292. GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 161: Introduction to Solar System Astronomy (U 5)
Physical nature of the sun and its family of planets, satellites, comets and minor bodies; gravitation, light, and telescopes.

Su, Au, Wi, Sp Qtrs. 5 cl or 3 1.5-hr cl. H161 (honors) may be available to students enrolled in an honors program or by permission of department or instructor. Prereq for 161: Math 075 or 076 or 102, or Math Placement Level R. Prereq for H161: Math 116 or 148. Not open to students with credit for 171. Not intended for ASC BS students. Not recommended for students who plan to continue in astronomy or physics. This course is available for EM credit. GEC phys sci course. NS Admis Cond course.

Astronomy 162: Introduction to Stellar, Galactic, & Extragalactic Astronomy (U 5)
Structure, motions, and evolution of stars, interstellar material, galaxies, and the universe as a whole.

Su, Au, Wi, Sp Qtrs. 5 cl or 3 1.5-hr cl. H162 (honors) may be available to students enrolled in an honors program or by permission of department or instructor. Prereq for 162: 161. Prereq for H162: 161, and Math 116 or 148. Not open to students with credit for 172. Not intended for ASC BS students. Not recommended for students who plan to continue in astronomy or physics. This course is available for EM credit. GEC phys sci course. NS Admis Cond course.

Astronomy H163: Relativity and Cosmology (U 5)
Offered only in alternate years.

Origin and evolution of the Universe, based on the Theory of Relativity, including the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background, formation of cosmic structure, dark matter.

5 cl. Prereq: 162 and enrollment in an honors program; or permission of dept. GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 171: Solar System Astronomy (U 5)
Offered only in alternate years.

Development of astronomy and astrophysics; nature of the solar system, including planets, satellites, comets, asteroids, and the solar atmosphere.

Wi Qtr. 5 cl. Prereq: Math 150. Not open to students with credit for 161. GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 172: Stellar, Galactic, and Extragalactic Astronomy (U 5)
Offered only in alternate years.

Structure and evolution of stars, interstellar medium, galaxies, and the universe.

Sp Qtr. 5 cl. Prereq: 171. Not open to students with credit for 162. GEC phys sci course.

Astronomy 291: Basic Astrophysics & Planetary Astronomy (U 5)
Motions and physical nature of objects in the solar system; electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, & astronomical detectors.

Au Qtr. 5 cl. Prereq or concur: Physics 133; or permission of instructor. Intended only for BS students. This course is available for EM credit.

Astronomy 292: Stellar, Galactic, & Extragalactic Astronomy & Astrophysics (U 5)
Observational and physical properties of the sun and stars; stellar structure and evolution; interstellar medium; galaxies & cosmology.

Wi Qtr. 5 cl. Prereq: 291 or permission of instructor. This course is available for EM credit.

Astronomy 295: Topics in Astrophysics (U 1)
Prospective astronomy majors will meet weekly with different astronomy faculty to learn about current research topics, facilities, and opportunities available in the undergraduate astronomy program.

Au, Wi Qtrs. Repeatable to a maximum of 2 cr hours. This course is graded S/U.
Note: This course will be listed as Astronomy 294 during Autumn Quarter 2009, and then as Astronomy 295 all subsequent times thereafter.

Astronomy 350: Methods of Astronomical Observation & Data Analysis (U 5)
Offered only in even-numbered years.

Astronomical observation techniques and quantitative analysis of astronomical data; practical experience with modern astronomical instrumentation and computer-based reduction, analysis, and interpretation of astronomical data.

5 cl. Prereq: 162 or 292, Math 153, and Physics 133.

Note: While Astronomy 162 is technically listed as a prerequisite, Astronomy 292 will be assumed for most students. The Math 153 and Physics 133 prerequisites will assume a mastery of (not just familiarity with) calculus and classical physics.

Astronomy 681: Principles of Stellar Evolution & Nucleosynthesis (U G 4)
Offered only in alternate years. Next offering: Spring 2010

Physics of stellar structure, evolution, and nucleosynthesis.

5 cl. Prereq: Math 255 or 415; Physics 263; Physics 621 (or concurrent) recommended; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 641 or Physics 681. Cross-listed in Physics as Physics 681.

Astronomy 682: Introduction to Cosmology (U G 4)
Offered only in odd-numbered years. Next offering: Spring 2011

Structure and Evolution of the Universe.

5 cl. Prereq: Math 255 or 415; Physics 263; Physics 621 (or concurrent) recommended; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 642 or Physics 682. Cross-listed in Physics as Physics 682.