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)
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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 (Mateo
and Bernstein)
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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).
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)
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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 (Mateo
and Bernstein)
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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). (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)
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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). (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
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Times, Location, and Availability
127. Naked Eye Astronomy.
(1). (NS).
The purpose of this course is to examine and understand the observational
phenomena that everyone has observed and become familiar with.
Students will learn about the nature of the most common astronomical
objects that can be observed by eye, such as the Sun, Moon, planets, and the stars. Students will come to understand astronomical phenomena
such as the motion of these objects on the sky and their implications:
seasons, phases of the moon, solar and lunar eclipses, and the
perplexing motions of the planets. Another important topic is the changing stellar sky, including the identification of the
brighter stars and constellations during the different seasons.
Transient objects such as comets and meteors will be discussed
and a meteorite shower will be observed. The course will conclude
with a discussion of ancient observatories and the historical
efforts by humanity to measure important astronomical phenomena.
A Planetarium will be one of the primary teaching facilities, but students will make their own observations and also work with
computer programs, such as "The Sky." There will be
homework assignments and a final. (Bregman)
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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. (4). (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. Whatare
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)
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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 (Aller)
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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 van Keken)
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Times, Location, and Availability
261/Naval Science 301.
Navigation. (2). (Excl). (BS).
See Naval Science 301.
(Roper)
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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
405. High Energy Astrophysics.
Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in
Phys. 340. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Astronomical phenomena are often violent, naturally producing
energetic particles under exotic circumstances. This course examines the underlying astrophysics of such objects. We begin with high
energy radiation processes and basic fluid mechanics. This physics
is applied to accretion onto black holes and other compact objects
and the astronomical phenomena that result. We will also study
supernovae, the origin of X- ray and Gamma- ray background radiation
fields, Gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic rays. Cost:2
WL:3 (Bregman)
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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 and Bregman)
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Times, Location, and Availability
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