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.

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.