Take me to the Fall Time Schedule
Introductory Courses and Courses for Non-Concentrators.
Astronomy 101/111 discusses our explorations of the solar system. Astronomy
102/112 deals with stars and the rest of the Universe beyond the solar system.
Students in Astronomy 101 and 102 attend a weekly discussion section. Students
in Astronomy 111 and 112 actively participate in a laboratory which meets
in the evening each week. None of these courses is a prerequisite for any
of the others. High school mathematics through plane geometry is useful.
All students in each course will have opportunities for a planetarium visit
and for evening observations with telescopes.
101. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar
System. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled
in 111, 130, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
Astronomy 101 students attend the same lectures as Astronomy
111 students (see course description below). (Seitzer and Sears)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
102. Introductory Astronomy: Stars,
Galaxies, and the Universe. No credit granted to those who have completed
or are enrolled in 112, 130, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
Astronomy 102 students attend the same lectures as Astronomy
112 students (see course description below). Instead of laboratory sections,
Astronomy 102 incorporates weekly one-hour discussions and associated exercises,
which is considered along with examinations and quizzes for course grades.
Cost:2 WL:4 (Mateo and Bernstein)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
111. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar
System. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled
in 101, 130, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
This course presents an introduction to the field of astronomy and astrophysics
with an emphasis on the discoveries from space exploration. The first third
of the course deals with understanding the history of astronomy, orbits,
gravitation, optics, and the properties of light and matter. The rest of
the course explores the properties, origin and evolution of the major planets,
asteroids, comets, the Sun, and other components of the Solar System with
particular emphasis on comparative aspects with respect to the Earth. The
origin and formation of the Solar System and the origin of life will also
be discussed. This course is intended for non-science concentrators with
a basic high school math and science background. Astronomy 111 has a two-hour
laboratory section every week. Astronomy 101 has a one-hour discussion section.
Course requirements include assigned reading, section meetings, homework,
observations, quizzes, midterm, and a final examination. Laboratory sections
include observations with telescopes. Cost:2 WL:4 (Seitzer and Sears)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
112. Introductory Astronomy: Stars,
Galaxies, and the Universe. No credit granted to those who have completed
or are enrolled in 102, 130, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
This course is intended primarily for non-science concentrators, who wish
to understand the phenomena and properties of the universe beyond our solar
system. There are no astronomy prerequisites, and a basic high school math
background (e.g., not calculus) will suffice. Students examine the
widest possible range of interrelated natural phenomena, from sub-atomic
particles to the Universe as a whole. Lectures inventory the different types
of stars and examine how red giants, white dwarfs, black holes, supernovae,
and people all fit together in one grand, remarkable scheme. The larger
picture includes our Milky Way galaxy, less hospitable exploding galaxies,
and enigmatic quasars. The present state of knowledge or speculation regarding
the origin and ultimate fate of our universe will also receive special attention.
It all came from somewhere, but where...and why? Course grades will be derived
from scheduled quizzes or exams, and laboratory exercises. Laboratory sections,
which meet for two evening hours each week, will include planetarium demonstrations
and observations with telescopes (weather permitting). Cost:2 WL:4 (Mateo
and Bernstein)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
120. Frontiers of Astronomy. No
credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 125.
(3). (NS). (BS).
Astronomy is one of the most visible sciences, and regularly captures the
public's attention. This class will overview our current understanding of
the Universe, stressing discoveries of the last few years made with the
new generation of Earth-based telescopes, and orbiting observatories such
as the Hubble Space Telescope and high-energy satellites. From this we will
see how astronomers can probe the Universe, using only the stray light and
particles from distant objects, and how the need to explain these data enriches
our understanding of the physical world. The class will emphasize how scientific
discoveries are made, the results circulated, and then popularized. By focusing
on such recent discoveries as planetary systems, black hole candidates,
`dark matter' and the large scale structure of the Universe we will learn
to examine critically astronomers' claims of exciting new results. The grade
will be based on writing assignments, class participation, and quizzes.
Cost:2 WL:4 (Hughes)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
125. Observational Astronomy. No
credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 120.
(4). (NS). (BS).
This course will teach how astronomical discoveries are made, by addressing
hypothetical `what if' questions in astronomy. These case studies will provide
insights into fundamental physical laws that rule the universe, as well
as demonstrating how fine-tuned we are with the special environment we live
in. Students will gain experience with the optical telescopes on campus
as well as with computers, which are necessary for some of the labs. Through
hands-on observing experience, students will understand how astronomical
research is conducted and will discuss the merits and pitfalls of such observations.
Some of the topics to be featured include measuring the distance to the
Moon, measuring the size and expansion rate of the Universe, the moons of
Jupiter, the evolution of stars, the creation of the elements, and the cosmic
background radiation of the Big Bang. The course structure involves writing
assignments, laboratory and observing exercises, introductory lectures by
the instructor, and discussions led by individual students. One evening
observing laboratory per week. Some knowledge of basic physics is helpful
but not necessary. Cost:2 WL:4
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
130. Explorations in Astronomy. No
credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 101, 102,
111, 112, or 160. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
This course is a one-term exploration of a few selected topics representing
all of astronomy. Here are a few examples of possible topics. (1) The stars:
how we are able to learn about them, how they evolve and die, how they produce
chemical elements and generate energy. (2) The formation of stars and solar
systems. What are we learning about star formation. How our solar system
tells us about star formation. Recent developments in our understanding
of the planets during our age of planetary exploration. (3) Cosmology: the
expansion of the universe, and its eventual fate. The formation of structure
and of galaxies, the cosmic radiation fields. This course will include assigned
reading, some homework, quizzes, a midterm, and a final. Cost:2 WL:4 (Richstone)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
160. Introduction to Astrophysics. Math.
115, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 140. No credit granted
to those who have completed or are enrolled in 102, 112, or 130. (4). (NS).
(BS). (QR/2).
Some of the most exciting phenomena and concepts in astronomy and astrophysics
are explored in this survey course. One major theme is the structure and
evolution of stars from their birth in giant molecular clouds through their
death as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. Another important
theme is galaxies, with discussions about the missing or dark matter in
galaxies, galaxy-galaxy interactions, and the large-scale distribution of
galaxies in the Universe. We conclude with an examination of the Big Bang,
the Inflationary Universe, and the Cosmic Background radiation. This course
is directed toward students with an interest in science and mathematics.
There are problem sets and a weekly two-hour laboratory using telescopes.
Cost:2 WL:3 (Aller)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability
204/AOSS 204/Geology 204. The Planets:
Their Geology and Climates. High school mathematics through plane
geometry and trigonometry. Those with credit for GS 113 may only elect Astro.
204 for 2 credits. (3). (NS). (BS).
See Geological Science 204. (Atreya
and van Keken)
Check
Times, Location, and Availability