Undergraduate Major Courses

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


Astronomy 2291

Basic Astrophysics & Planetary Astronomy

3 credits / Autumn semester

Motions and physical nature of objects in the solar system; electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, & astronomical detectors.

Prereq: Physics 1251 (153), or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 291. Intended only for BS students. This course is available for EM credit.


Astronomy 2292

Stellar, Galactic, & Extragalactic Astronomy & Astrophysics

3 credits / Spring semester

Observational and physical properties of the sun and stars; stellar structure and evolution; interstellar medium; galaxies & cosmology.

Prereq: Astronomy 2291 or permission of instructor. This course is available for EM credit.


Astronomy 2895

Topics in Astrophysics

1 credit / Autumn semester

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.

Astronomy 2895 is repeatable to a maximum of 2 cr hours. This course is graded S/U.


Astronomy 3350

Methods of Astronomical Observation & Data Analysis
3 credits / Autumn semester

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.

Prereq: 1162 (162), 1162H (162H), or 2292 (292), and Math 1152 (153), and Physics 1251 (133). Not open to students with credit for 350.

Note: The Math 1152 and Physics 1251 prerequisites will assume a mastery of (not just familiarity with) calculus and classical physics.  


Astronomy 5205

Planetary Science

3 credits / Spring semester of odd-numbered years (e.g. Spring 2023, Spring 2025, ...)

Introduction to Planetology. A multidisciplinary approach to planetary science, integrating modern methods with the Earth and Astrophysical Sciences

Prereq: Math 1152; and a Data Analysis GE course; or permission of the instructor


Astronomy 5550

Advanced Astronomy Data Analysis

3 credits / Spring semester (first offering Spring 2024, cadence is TBD)

Overview of Advanced Astronomy Data Analysis. Methods in common use by researchers, especially with applications to the large datasets produced by modern astronomy surveys. Uses the python programming language. 

Prereq: (Astronomy 3350 or Physics 3700) and Math 2568; or permission of the instructor.


Astronomy 5681

Principles of Stellar Evolution & Nucleosynthesis

3 credits / Spring semester of even-numbered years (e.g., Spring 2024, Spring 2026, ...)

Physics of stellar structure, evolution, and nucleosynthesis.

Prereq: Math 2174 or 2255 or 2415; and Physics 5500; or permission of instructor.  Not open to students with credit for Physics/Astronomy 681.


Astronomy 5682

Introduction to Cosmology

3 credits / Autumn semester every year

Structure and Evolution of the Universe.

Prereq: Math 2174 or 2255 or 2415; and Physics 2301; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Physics/Astronomy 682.


Astronomy 2193

Individual Studies

1-10 cr.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy.

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 30 hours or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.


Astronomy 2194

Group Studies

1-10 cr.

Special studies not otherwise offered

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 10 hours or 2 completions. This course is graded S/U.


Astronomy 4193

Individual Studies

1-10 cr.

Independent library or laboratory work on a special problem or topic in observational or theoretical astronomy.

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 30 hours or 3 completions. This course is graded S/U.


Astronomy 4194

Group Studies

1-10 cr.

Special studies not otherwise offered

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 10 hours or 2 completions. This course is graded S/U.


Astronomy 4998 (H)

Non-Thesis Research

1-10 cr.

Directed undergraduate research (non-thesis).

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 30 hours or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U/


Astronomy 4999 (H)

Thesis Research

1-10 cr.

Directed undergraduate research for an undergraduate thesis.

Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 30 hours or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U.