Astronomy

ASTR C1234-C1235 The Universal Timekeeper: an Introduction To Scientific Habits of Mind 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Facility with high school algebra is assumed. C1234 is highly recommended as a prerequisite for C1235. Introduction to ideas and models of thought in the physical sciences, using the atomz as an imperturbable clock to explore applications such as measuring the age of the Shroud of Turin, determining the diets of ancient civilizations, charting the history of earth's climate, and unraveling the history of the universe.

ASTR C1403x and y Earth, Moon and Planets (Lecture) 3 pts. Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The overall architecture of the solar system. Motions of the celestial sphere. Time and the calendar. Major planets, the earth-moon system, minor planets, comets. Life in the solar system and beyond. This course is similar to ASTR BC 1753. You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both.

ASTR C1404x and y Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology (Lecture) 3 pts. Distances to, and fundamental properties of, nearby stars; nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution; novae and supernovae; galaxies; the structure of the universe and theories concerning its origin, evolution, and ultimate fate. You cannot enroll in ASTR C1404 in addition to one of the following ASTR BC1754, ASTR C1420 or ASTR C1836 and received credit for both.

ASTR C1420 Galaxies and Cosmology. 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Galaxies contain stars, gas dust and (usually) super-massive black holes. They are found throughout the Universe, traveling through space and occasionally crashing into each other. This course will look at how these magnificent systems form and evolved, and what can they tells us about the formation and evolution of the Universe itself. You cannot enroll in ASTR C1420 in addition to ASTR BC1754 or ASTR C1404 and receive credit for both.

ASPG C1453y Another Earth 3 pts.

ASTR C1610x Theories of the Universe: From Babylon to the Big Bang 3 pts. Milestones in the science of cosmology over the past 6000 years. Skylore and observation in ancient cultures. The twin revolutions of the Greeks: Pythagoras and Ptolemy. Aristotle, Aquinas, and the Great Chain of Being. The "scientific revolution": the impersonal and deterministic world-order of Newton, Laplace, and Kelvin. The erosion of that world-order by mathematics and experiment in the 20th century (relativity, quantum physics, dark matter, and the expanding universe). Today's searches for a new grand order in the Universe, which can cope-or maybe not-with these blows to yesterday's comfortable wisdom.

ASTR BC1753x Life in the Universe 3 pts. Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. Introduction to astronomy intended primarily for nonscience majors. Includes the history of astronomy; the apparent motions of the moon, sun, stars, and planets; gravitation and planetary orbits; the physics of the earth and its atmosphere; and the exploration of the solar system. This course is similar to ASTR C1403. You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both.

ASTR BC1754y Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology 3 pts. Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The properties of stars, star formation, stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and the origin and evolution of the universe. You cannot enroll in ASTR BC1754 in addition to one of the following ASTR C1404, ASTR C1420 or ASTR C1836 and received credit for both.

ASTR C1836x Stars and atoms 3 pts. Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. What is the origin of the chemical elements? This course addresses this question, starting from understanding atoms, and then going on to look at how how atoms make stars and how stars make atoms. The grand finale is a history of the evolution of the chemical elements throughout time, starting from the Big Bang and ending with YOU. You cannot enroll in ASTR C1836 in addition to ASTR BC1754 or ASTR C1404 and receive credit for both. Science Requirement: Partial Fulfillment.

ASTR C1903x Astronomy Lab 1 1 pt. Laboratory for ASTR C1403. Projects include observations with the department's telescopes, computer simulation, laboratory experiments in spectroscopy, and the analysis of astronomical data. Lab 1 ASTR C1903 - goes with ASTR BC1753 or ASTR C1403.

ASTR C1904y Astronomy Lab 2 1 pt. Laboratory for ASTR C1404. Projects include use of telescopes, laboratory experiments in the nature of light, spectroscopy, and the analysis of astronomical data. Lab 2 ASTR C1904 - goes with ASTR BC1754 or ASTR C1404 (or ASTR C1836).

ASTR C2001x Introduction To Astrophysics, I 3 pts. Prerequisites: A working knowledge of calculus. Corequisites: A course in calculus-based general physics. First term of a two-term calculus-based introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include the physics of stellar interiors, stellar atmospheres and spectral classifications, stellar energy generation and nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron stars, white dwarfs, and interacting binary stars.

ASTR C2002y Introduction To Astrophysics, II 3 pts. Prerequisites: A working knowledge of calculus. Corequisites: The second term of a course in calculus-based general physics. Continuation of ASTR C2001; these two courses constitute a full year of calculus-based introduction to astrophysics. Topics include the structure of our galaxy, the interstellar medium, star clusters, properties of external galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and cosmology.

ASTR C2900y Frontiers of Astrophysics 1 pt. Several members of the faculty each offer a brief series of talks providing context for a current research topic in the field and then present results of their ongoing research. Opportunities for future student research collaboration are offered. Grading is Pass/Fail.

ASTR C3101 Stellar Structure and Evolution 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Prerequisites: one year of calculus-based general physics. Topics include the physics of stellar, structure, stellar atmospheres, nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, interacting binary stars, white dwarfs, and neutron stars. Offered in alternate years.

ASTR C3102 Planetary Dynamics & Physics of the Solar System 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Prerequisites: One year of calculus based Physics. The physics and astrophysics of planets, comets, asteroids, natural and artificial satellites, and pretty much anything in the Solar System - including the Sun. Detailed study of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans: circulations, climate, and weather. Orbital dynamics. The emerging science of extrasolar planets. The origin, evolution, and eventual fate of planets.

ASTR C3103 The Galaxy and the Interstellar Medium 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Prerequisites: one year of calculus-based general physics. The structure of galaxies and the physical processes that underlie it. Topics include: current galactic structure, the interstellar medium, dark matter, gas dynamics, shocks, gravitational collapse, star formation, supernovae remnants, stellar dynamics, spiral arms, galaxy formation.

ASTR C3105 Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology (Lecture) 3 pts.Not offered in 2013-2014. Prerequisites: one year of calculus based physics. The emerging field of extrasolar planets and astrobiology will be covered at a quantitative level, with a major emphasis on astrophysical phenomenae and techniques. The subject will be introduced through an investigation of current planetary formation theories and approaches to planet detection, including what we currently know about extrasolar planets and detailed reference to state-of-the-art studies. An astronomer's view of the origin of life and extreme biology will be developed and applied to questions of cosmo-chemistry, observable life-signatures, habitable zones and other astrophysical constraints on the development of organisms.

ASTR C3106x The Science of Space Exploration 3 pts. Prerequisites: *ASTR C3106 The Science of Space Exploration* 3 pts. /A. Crotts, C. Scharf./ Prerequisites: One semester course in introductory astronomy or astrophysics e.g., ASTR C1403, ASTR C1404, ASTR C1420, ASTR C1836, ASTR C2001, ASTR C2002, ASTR BC1753 and ASTR BC1754. Ability in mathematics up to and including calculus is strongly urged. How and why do humans explore space? Why does it require such extraordinary effort? What have we found by exploring our Solar System? We investigate the physics and biological basis of space exploration, and the technologies and science issues that determine what we can accomplish. What has been accomplished in the past, what is being explored now, and what can we expect in the future? How do space scientists explore the Solar System and answer science questions in practice? What do we know about solar systems beyond our own?

ASTR C3273y High Energy Astrophysics 3 pts. Prerequisites: One year of calculus-based general physics. Physics majors could take this course with no previous astronomy background. The properties of compact astronomical objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; and their manifestations in pulsars, novae, supernova remnants, quasars, and active galactic nuclei. High-energy radiation mechanism and the instrumentation of high-energy astrophysics are also covered.

ASTR C3601x General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology 3 pts. Prerequisites: one year of calculus-based general physics. Einstein's General Theory of Relativity replaced Newtonian gravity with an elegant theory of curved spacetime. Einstein's theory led to unforseen and unnerving predictions of singularities and cosmological instabilities. Nearly a century later, these mathematical oddities have been confirmed astrophysically in the existence of black holes, an expanding universe, and a big bang. The course will cover Einstein's General Theory, beginning with special relativity, with an emphasis on black holes and the big bang.

ASTR C3602y Physical Cosmology 3 pts. Prerequisites: One year of calculus-based general physics. The standard hot big bang cosmological model and modern observational results that test it. Topics include the Friedmann equations and the expansion of the universe, dark matter, dark energy, inflation, primordial nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, the formation of large-scale cosmic structures, and modern cosmological observations.

ASTR C3646y Observational Astronomy Lecture & Lab. 3 pts. Prerequisites: One year of general astronomy. Introduction to the basic techniques used in obtaining and analyzing astronomical data. Focus on "ground-based" methods, at optical, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths. Regular use of the telescope facilities atop the roof of the Pupin Labs, to acquire photometry and spectroscopy of stars, planets, and nebulae. There will also be apportunity to acquire and analyze data from National Observatories, and from spacecraft. Given in alternate years.

ASTR C3996x Current Research in Astrophysics 1 pt. Prerequisites: Two semesters of Astronomy classes and two semesters of Physics classes. The goals of this course is to introduce Astronomy and Astrophysics majors to the methods and topics of current astronomical research. The course will also help with the development of critical thinking skills. Each week the topic of the course will be centered on the subject of the Astronomy department colloquium; this may include research on planets, stars, galaxies or cosmology. There will be two required meetings per week: the first to discuss papers related to the colloquium (time TBD), and the second the colloquium itself (at 4:15 pm each Wednesday). Grading is Pass/Fail.

ASTR C3997x-C3998y Independent Research 1-3 pts. Prerequisites: This class requires the Instructor's permission to register. For an independent research project or independent study, a brief description of the proposed project or reading, with the supervising faculty member's endorsement, is required for registration. A variety of research projects conducted under the supervision of members of the faculty. Observational, theoretical, and experimental work in galactic and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. The topic and scope of the work must be arranged with a faculty member in advance; a written paper describing the results of the project is required at its completion (note that a two-term project can be designed such that the grade YC is given after the first term). Senior majors in astronomy or astrophysics wishing to do a senior thesis should make arrangements in May of their junior year and sign up for a total of 6 points over their final two terms. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results are required.

ASTR W4260x Modeling the Universe 3 pts. Prerequisites: One year of calculus-based general physics. The goal of this course is to provide a basic hands-on introduction to the practice and theory of scientific computing with applications in astronomy and astrophysics. The course will include an introduction to programming as well as a sampling of methods and tools from the field of scientific computing. The course will include a hands-on project in which students use numerical methods to solve a research problem. Students who are interested in participating in research projects are strongly encouraged to take the course in their sophomore or junior year.