Courses

Science shapes our lives, but with so much "scientific" info out there, how do we know what to trust? This course sharpens your ability to evaluate scientific information, using astronomy as a concrete way to develop your understanding of the methods and nature of science. To ensure you can apply this knowledge beyond astronomy, we'll put you to the test in real-world social media contexts. Prereq: Completion of Math 1075 or above; or a Math Placement Level N or above. GE foundation natural sci course.

Overview of the Copernican revolution, the discovery of the nature of our solar system, light, gravity, and planets around other stars; the nature and evolution of stars and origin of the chemical elements; the history of galaxies and the expanding universe. Weekly laboratory. Not recommended for students who plan to major in astronomy or physics. Prereq: Math 1050 (075) or 102, or an ACT math subscore of 22 or higher that is less than two years old, or Math Placement R or higher; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 1140, 1144, 1161H (H161), 1162H (H162), 2161H, 2162H, 2291 (291), or 2292 (292). GE nat sci phys course. GE foundation natural sci course.

Overview of data analysis in astronomy. The course will combine select topics in modern astronomy with contemporary data analysis methods implemented in the Python programming language, illustrating how astronomical data lead to scientific conclusions. It is intended for students with interest in astronomy and analysis of large data sets; prior astronomy experience not required. Prereq or concur: Math 1141, 1151, or 1161. GE nat sci phys course.

This course uses the planetarium and observations of the sky to understand the motion of the Sun, Moon, and planets, and how humans have interpreted them. It considers the large number of foreign worlds that have been discovered orbiting the Sun and other stars, and visualizes their skies. It reflects on how the night sky affects human cultures, and how it might affect cultures on other worlds. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 1140 or 2140. GE theme lived environments course.

We study the formation, current properties, and evolution of the Sun, planets and minor bodies of the Solar System; how they compare with planetary systems around other stars; and how people, over millennia, inferred that the Earth was not at the center of the Universe. The GE foundation pre-requisite is waived for students taking this course to satisfy the legacy GEL requirement (formerly Astronomy 1140). However, students should be aware that the material will be presented at a higher level than foundations courses, and they should consult with their advisor or the instructor to ensure adequate preparation for the material. Prereq: Completion of the Natural Science GE Foundation and Math at the level of 1050 or higher, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 1140, 1161, 1161H, or 2291. GE nat sci phys course. GE theme origins and evolution course.

We will learn about scientists' ongoing quest for answers to some of the most fundamental human questions: How did life originate on Earth? Is there life on other worlds? Are we alone in the universe? What is the long-term future of life in the universe? The GE foundation pre-requisite is waived for students taking this course to satisfy the legacy GEL requirement (formerly Astronomy 1141). However, students should be aware that the material will be presented at a higher level than foundations courses, and they should consult with their advisor or the course instructor to ensure adequate preparation. Prereq: Completion of the Natural Science GE Foundation, Math at the level of 1050 or higher, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 1141. GE nat sci phys course. GE theme origins and evolution course.

This course will tell the story of black holes: how they were conceived as theoretical ideas, how they might form from dying stars, how they were discovered, what roles they play in cosmic history, how they distort space and time, how they produce tiny but detectable gravitational wave signals, and some of the remaining mysteries they present to contemporary physics. If Math course is taken for the GEL, a level of 1050 or higher is required, or permission of instructor. For the GEL, students should consult with the course instructor or advisor to ensure adequate preparation for the course. Prereq: GE foundation natural sci course, and Math 1050 or above; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 1142. GE nat sci phys course. GE theme number, nature, mind course.

Description of the history of the universe from Big Bang to present; how observations led to discovery of this history. Prereq: GE foundation natural sci course, and Math 1050 or above; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 1143, 1144, or 2292. GE nat sci phys course. GE theme number, nature, mind and origins and evolution course.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Special studies not otherwise offered. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 10 cr hrs or 2 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Motions and physical nature of objects in the solar system; electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, and astronomical detectors. Prereq: Physics 1251 (133), or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 291. This course is available for EM credit. GE nat sci phys course.

Observational and physical properties of the sun and stars; stellar structure and evolution; interstellar medium; galaxies and cosmology. Prereq: 2291 (291), or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 292. This course is available for EM credit. GE nat sci phys course.

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. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for two sections of 295. This course is graded S/U.

Overview of observational methods and quantitative analysis in astronomy with applications to the large datasets produced by modern astronomy surveys. Students will apply commonly used methods to reproduce major astronomical results in a collaborative setting. The course prepares students for advanced undergraduate research in astronomy and introduces broadly-applicable data analysis tools. Previous coursework or experience with statistical analysis and linear algebra are useful but not required. Prereq: 2292; and Math 1152 or 1172 or above; and CSE 1222, 1223, 1224, Astron 1221, Engr 1221, or 1281.xxH; or permission of the instructor.

This course focuses on developing the skills needed to approach problems at an order-of-magnitude level. It provides students with mathematical techniques and critical thinking skills that can be used to create approximate solutions to problems that may at first seem impossible to solve. Prereq: Physics 1251, 1261 or 1271; or permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.

This course focuses on developing the skills needed to approach problems at an order-of-magnitude level. The methods learned in this course are often sufficient to draw conclusions about phenomena in our universe and also in our daily lives. This course expands on the skills developed in Astron3810 and builds intuition on when to apply various skills. Prereq: 3810, or permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U.

Directed undergraduate research (non-thesis). Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Directed undergraduate research (non-thesis). Prereq: Honors standing; and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Directed undergraduate research for thesis. Prereq: Permission of department and instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 10 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Directed undergraduate research (thesis). Prereq: Permission of department and instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 10 completions. This course is graded S/U.

A multidisciplinary approach to planetary science, integrating modern methods with the Earth and Astrophysical Sciences. Team-taught with faculty in Earth Sciences. Prereq: Math 1152 and a GE Data Analysis course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for EarthSc 5205. Cross-listed in EarthSc.

Overview of advanced astronomy data analysis methods with applications to the large datasets produced by modern surveys. Students will learn to apply these methods to reproduce several major astronomical results in collaborative research projects. The goal of the course is to better prepare students for graduate-level research in astronomy and other careers that use these methods. Prereq: 3350 or Physics 3700, and Math 2568; or permission of instructor.

Physics of stellar structure, evolution, and nucleosynthesis. Prereq: Math 2174, 2255 (255), or 2415 (415); and Physics 5500 (631); or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 681 or Physics 681.

Structure and evolution of the Universe. Prereq: Math 2174 or 2255 (255) or 2415 (415); and Physics 2301 (263); or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 682 or Physics 682.

Observed properties of planets (including extrasolar planets), the solar system, stars, and both active and quiescent galaxies. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 830.

First and second year graduate students will participate in weekly departmental colloquia and journal club. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron. Not open to students with 4 qtr cr hrs for 801. Repeatable to a maximum of 4 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.

First and second year graduate students will participate in weekly departmental colloquia and journal club. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron. Not open to students with 8 qtr cr hrs in Astron 802 and/or 803. Students with no more than 4 qtr cr hrs in Astron 802 and/or Astron 803 may take this course only once. This course is graded S/U.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Methods for solution of a wide range of astrophysical problems, building on basic physical principles. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with 8 qtr cr hrs in Astron 810. Students with no more than 4 qtr cr hrs in 810 may enroll only once. Repeatable to a maximum of 4 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.

Continuum and discrete radiative processes relevant to astrophysics. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 822 and 823.

Practical applications of numerical and statistical methods used in modern astrophysics. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor.

Theoretical aspects of the structure and evolution of single stars. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 831.

Planetary dynamics, stellar dynamics, and astrophysical gas dynamics. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 825 and 870.

The physics of low-density gases, with application to the interstellar medium and the intergalactic medium. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 871.

Structure and evolution of the universe, physical processes in the early universe, formation of cosmic structure. Prereq: Grad standing in Astron; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 873.

Directed laboratory or library research under the direction of a faculty member that is not leading directly to a dissertation or thesis. Prereq: Grad standing in Astronomy, or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 60 cr hrs or 20 completions. This course is graded S/U.

Research for dissertation or thesis. Prereq: Grad standing in Astronomy, and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 completions. This course is graded S/U.