Astronomy (ASTR)

ASTR103
Descriptive Astronomy

Description: Approach is essentially nonmathematical. Survey of the nature and motions of the planets, the sun, the stars, and their lives, galaxies, and the structure of the universe. Black holes, pulsars, quasars, and other objects of special interest included.

This course is a prerequisite for: ASTR 113; ASTR 203

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25
ACE Outcomes: ACE 4 Science

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 4 Science

ASTR103H
Honors: Descriptive Astronomy

Prerequisites: Good standing in the University Honors Program or by invitation

Broad look at astronomy for non-science majors.

Description: Approach is essentially non-mathematical, but simple algebra is employed where appropriate. Sun and solar system, the stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Black holes, pulsars, quasars, and other objects of special interest included. Emphasis on both "what is out there" and "how we know it".

This course is a prerequisite for: ASTR 113; ASTR 203

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25
ACE Outcomes: ACE 4 Science

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 4 Science

ASTR113
Selected Topics in Astronomy

Prerequisites: ASTR 103 or permission.

Description: A non-mathematical continuation and extension of ASTR 103, designed for students who would like a more detailed look at specific areas in astronomy. Possible topics: astronomy and relativity; life in the universe; pulsars, quasars, and black holes; evolution of galaxies, origin of the universe.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
ACE Outcomes: ACE 4 Science

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 4 Science

ASTR117
Life in the Universe

Description: Survey of what modern science tells us about the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe. Topics include how the Earth formed and became suitable for life, how life arose on the Earth, the conditions under which life can thrive, places in the solar system that might support life, the existence of other solar systems that might provide suitable habitats, and attempts to find evidence of life on other planets.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
ACE Outcomes: ACE 4 Science

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 4 Science

ASTR203
Introduction to Observational Astronomy

Prerequisites: ASTR 103/ASTR 103H or equivalent

The course consists of 2 lecture hours and three evening laboratory hours per week.

Description: Exploration of equipment and techniques needed to observe and investigate the motions and objects in the night sky.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

ASTR204
Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics

Prerequisites: PHYS 211/211H; MATH 107/107H; parallel ASTR 224

Survey of the sun, the solar system, stellar properties, stellar systems, interstellar matter, galaxies, and cosmology.

Description: Survey of the sun, the solar system, stellar properties, stellar systems, interstellar matter, galaxies, and cosmology.

This course is a prerequisite for: ASTR 224

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
ACE Outcomes: ACE 4 Science

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 4 Science

ASTR224
Astronomy and Astrophysics Laboratory

Prerequisites: Parallel ASTR 204.

Description: Telescopic observations and laboratory experiments relating to observational astronomy. Obtaining digital astronomical images, the analysis of the resulting data and its astrophysical interpretation.

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$55

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

ASTR403
Galactic and Extragalactic AstronomyCrosslisted with ASTR 803

Prerequisites: ASTR 204 and PHYS 213, and permission.

Description: Introduction to the techniques for determining constituents and dynamics of our galaxy, including interstellar matter and theories of spiral arm formation. Extragalactic topics include basic characteristics of galaxies, active galaxies, quasars, evolution, and the cosmological distance scale.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

ASTR404
Stellar AstrophysicsCrosslisted with ASTR 804

Prerequisites: ASTR 204; PHYS 213; and permission.

Description: Stellar atmospheres, interiors, and evolution. Theoretical and observational aspects of stellar astronomy. The relation between observed parameters and theoretical parameters, star formation, stellar energy generation, and degenerate stars.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

ASTR405
Physics of the Solar SystemCrosslisted with ASTR 805

Prerequisites: ASTR 204; MATH 107/107H; PHYS 142/142H or PHYS 212/212H.

Description: Celestial mechanics; tidal effects; planetary interiors; atmospheres and surfaces; comets; asteroids; and the origin of the solar system. Applying physics to the solution of solar system problems.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

ASTR407
Physics of the Interstellar MediumCrosslisted with ASTR 807

Prerequisites: ASTR 204 and PHYS 213.

Description: Gaseous nebulae, interstellar dust, interstellar clouds and star forming regions. Theoretical and observational aspects of the various components of the interstellar medium. Includes the physics of emission nebulae, the properties of the interstellar dust, interstellar molecules and the properties of clouds in which star formation occurs.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

ASTR492
Special Topics in AstronomyCrosslisted with ASTR 892

Prerequisites: ASTR 204 and permission.

Description: Topic varies.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-6
Max credits per semester:6
Max credits per degree:6
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:1-6

ACE: