ASTRONOMY (ASTR)
100. Essentials of Astronomy (3)
Survey of astronomy, with attention to its interdisciplinary aspects and its relationships
to other sciences. Planetarium work and some nighttime observing sessions and field trips
supplement class lectures. Primarily for non-science majors.
101L . Astronomy Laboratory
(1) Projects, telescope observing, planetarium work, discussions. Can be taken alone or
with 100. Combination is equivalent to 110a. Labwork includes frequent mathematical
calculations using basic algebra. Recommended preparation is satisfactory completion of
the University entrance requirement in mathematics. Credit will be allowed for only 100 or
102.
102. Introductory Astronomy
(4) Survey of astronomy equivalent to combination of 100 and 101L. Our solar system,
stars, galaxies and the structure and evolution of the universe. Laboratory sessions
include planetarium work, some nighttime observing sessions and field trips. Laboratory
exercises require use of basic algebra. Recommended preparation is satisfactory completion
of the University entrance requirements in mathematics. 3R, 3L. Credit will be allowed for
only 100 or 102.
103. Life in the Universe
(4) Application of astronomy and other sciences to the study of the likelihood, possible
nature and distribution of life in the universe. Planetarium visits, observing sessions
with optical and radio telescopes and field trips. Laboratory exercises include frequent
calculations using basic algebra. 3R, 3L. P, 100 or 102.
105a . The Universe and
Humanity: Origin and Destiny (3) (Identical with PTYS 105a, which is home).
106. Survey of the Solar System
(3) (Identical with PTYS 106).
109L . Exploration and Discovery
in Planetary Science (1) (Identical with PYTS 109L, which is home).
296. Seminar
a. Topics in Astronomical Research (1) GRD P, 100 or equivalent
300A - 300B -. Astronomy and
Astrophysics (3-3) A quantitative approach to astronomy and astrophysics. P, MATH
125a; PHYS 141 or 151.
302. Introduction to
Observational Astronomy (3) Observational applications of coordinate systems and time;
basics of astronomical instrumentation, measuring equipment, and data reduction
techniques. Practice in observing at optical and radio wavelengths. 2R, 3L. P, MATH 125a.
320. Philosophical and
Historical Aspects of Astronomical Thought (3) Historical development of astronomical
concepts and the scientific method; cosmological concepts from ancient times to the
present; controversies in astronomy in the recent past and at present.
396H . Honors Proseminar (3)
Offered every third semester.
400A - 400B -. Theoretical Astrophysics
(3-3) Stars, interstellar matter, galaxies, radio sources, cosmology. P, MATH 254, 6 units
upper-division physics. 400a is a Writing-Emphasis Course. P, Satisfaction of the
upper-division writing-proficiency requirement.
403. Physics of the Solar System
(3) (Identical with PTYS 403, which is home). May be convened with 503.
418. Modern Astronomical
Instrumentation and Techniques (3) Radiant energy; signals and noise; detectors and
techniques for imaging, photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy. Examples from stellar
and planetary astronomy in the x-ray, optical, infrared and radio. (Identical with PTYS
418). May be convened with 518.
502. Astronomical
Instrumentation Project (3) Design, construction, and testing of an
astronomical instrument chosen by each student under the guidance and supervision of the
instructor. Regular class sessions are devoted to discussing techniques and reporting
progress and problems.
503. Physics of the Solar System
(3) (Identical with PTYS 503, which is home). May be convened with 403.
515. Interstellar Medium and
Star Formation (3) Derivation of physical conditions from spectral data. Ionized,
atomic and molecular clouds, interstellar dust and magnetic fields. Ionization
equilibrium, heating and cooling, supernova shocks, dust and protostellar evolution.
518. Modern Astronomical
Instrumentation and Techniques (3) For a description of course topics see 418.
Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper. (Identical with PTYS 518).
May be convened with 418.
522. Atomic and Molecular
Astrophysics (3) Interpretation of astronomical spectra: basic aspects of atomic and
molecular spectra and processes that enable one to infer physical conditions in
astronomical environments from analysis of their electromagnetic spectra. Familiarity with
basic quantum mechanics is assumed.
523. Statistical Mechanical
Problems in the Space Sciences (3) (Identical with PTYS 523).
535. Stellar Structure (3)
Equations of stellar structure, virial theory, energy transport, equations of state,
opacities, nuclear reactions, stellar models, evolution of low and high mass stars,
observational tests, rotation and magnetic fields, binary evolution.
540. Structure and Dynamics of
Galaxies (3) Observational properties of galaxies; structure, kinematics, star and gas
content. Structure of our own galaxy. Dynamics of stellar systems: equilibria,
instabilities, internally and externally driven evolution.
541. Extragalactic Astronomy and
Cosmology (3) The structure, origin and evolution of the physical universe from theory
and observations of systems outside our own galaxy. Relativistic cosmology; galaxy
evolution and clustering; active galaxies and quasars; the microwave background; galaxy
formation; the hot big bang; and physics of the early universe. P, 540.
545. Stellar Atmospheres (3)
Radiative transfer, gray atmosphere, opacity, line formation, non-LTE, curves of growth,
stellar hydrodynamics, planetary applications. (Identical with PTYS 545).
553. Solar System Dynamics
(3) (Identical with PTYS 553).
555. Remote Sensing of Planetary
Surfaces (3) (Identical with PTYS 555).
556. Electrodynamics of
Conducting Fluids and Plasmas (3) (Identical with PTYS 556).
575. General Relativity and
Cosmology (3) General relativity with application to celestial mechanics, stellar
structure, gravitational radiation, black holes, gravitational lensing and cosmology.
582. High Energy Astrophysics
(3) Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars,
black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, actice
galactic nuclei. (Identical with PHYS 582 and PTYS 582).
589. Topics in Theoretical
Astrophysics (3) [Rpt.] (Identical with PHYS 589, which is home).
596. Seminar
b. Methods in Computational Astrophysics (3)