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).
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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
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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).
Section 004. 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 (Sears and Bernstein)
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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 (MacAlpine
and Seitzer)
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Times, Location, and Availability
120. Frontiers of Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 125. (3). (NS).
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
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Times, Location, and Availability
122. The Origin of the Elements and the History of Matter. (3). (NS).
Our study of the history of matter in the Universe will take
us from the beginnings of time to the present, and from the smallest
elementary particles to massive stars and galaxies. This seminar
will focus on the creation and evolution of the elements, which
originated in the Big Bang and are still being made today in the
centers of stars and in the explosive deaths of the most massive
stars. The course will begin with a survey of the astronomical
universe, from our planet Earth out to the farthest quasars and beyond. From there we will begin our study of the beginning of the matter in the Universe as we know it, following the evolution
of the elements as we return to the present day, and investigating
how we can determine the chemical composition of matter in space.
Grading will be based on written assignments, quizzes, and class
participation. Cost:2
WL:4
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Times, Location, and Availability
125. Observational Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 120. (4). (NS).
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
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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
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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 Pollack)
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Times, Location, and Availability
261/Naval Science 301. Navigation. (2). (Excl). (BS).
See Naval Science 301.
(Noordyk)
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Times, Location, and Availability
389. Individual Studies in Astronomy. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit.
Individual reading and study in astronomy under the guidance
of the instructor.
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Times, Location, and Availability
399. Introduction to Research. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit.
For students in astronomy who are prepared to undertake a limited
research project under the guidance of a member of the staff of the Department of Astronomy. Open to qualified students in other
departments subject to approval by concentration advisors and members of the staff of the Department of Astronomy.
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Times, Location, and Availability
402. Stellar Astrophysics. Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 340. (3). (Excl). (BS).
This course is a survey of stellar astronomy and astrophysics, building upon an elementary background of basic physics: mechanics, and interaction of radiation and matter (atomic spectra). No astronomy
course is a prerequisite, although students who have not had any
astronomy may find it helpful to read an introductory text book
for overviews. Course topics: basic stellar data; celestial mechanics
and binary stars; stellar atmospheres and abundances of the chemical
elements; stellar interiors, evolution, and nucleosynthesis; space
distributions and motions of stars in the Galaxy. Course work
includes homework exercises, hour exams, and a final exam. Text: Fundamental Astronomy, 3rd ed., by Karttunen et al.
(eds.) For additional information, visit http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu:80/users/cowley/
Cost:2 WL:3 (Cowley)
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Times, Location, and Availability
429. Senior Seminar. Open
only to senior concentrators. Astro. 401, 402, and 404. (2). (Excl).
(BS).
Student-faculty discussion of selected problems in two or three
currently active areas. This is also the Astronomy Department's
senior writing course. Attendance at weekly department colloquia
is required. (Aller)
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Times, Location, and Availability
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