Courses
2024 - 2025
For this academic year's course catalog, please visit our site. For courses currently offered, please refer to the .

An introductory course in astronomy, intended for any student who wishes to better understand the nature of the universe. Topics may include the history of astronomy, naked eye observations, the planets and moons, the origin of the solar system, stellar classification, stellar evolution, galactic astronomy, and cosmology. Class and laboratory work will explore the physical and observational background for these topics with an emphasis on the quantitative nature of modern astronomy. Three classroom hours and one two-hour laboratory each week. This course satisfies the quantitative reasoning general education requirement. No previous training in physics is expected; mathematical preparation is assumed to include high school algebra and trigonometry.

A course that introduces students to topics that are at the current frontiers of physics and astronomy, and helps students develop quantitative reasoning and analytical skills necessary for further study in these fields. Topics typically include special relativity, waves and interference, quantization of light and energy, the hydrogen atom, nuclear structure, radioactivity, and cosmology. This course satisfies the quantitative reasoning requirement. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite(s): MATH聽130 or MATH聽135 or MATH聽145 or concurrent.
Crosslisting: 笔贬驰厂听125.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

This course is designed to teach students to build and use physical models to understand a variety of astronomical systems. Students will apply key concepts from modern and classical physics in an astronomical context, including gravity, light, relativity, thermodynamics, nuclear physics, and the interactions of light and matter. They will first develop models for stellar systems, and then explore other astrophysical topics, such as supernovae, general relativity and black holes, the structure of our galaxy, active galactic nuclei, and cosmology.
Prerequisite(s): ASTR聽100, ASTR聽125 or PHYS聽125, PHYS聽122 or PHYS聽127.

An advanced lab course focused on experimental design and techniques, applying statistical principles to analyze and interpret data, and communicating scientific results through writing. May be repeated once for credit as either PHYS聽312 or ASTR聽312.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS聽122 or PHYS聽127, PHYS聽200 recommended.
Crosslisting: 笔贬驰厂听312.

A course exploring a topic in astronomy at the advanced level. The topical focus of each iteration of this course is determined by the instructor. In some cases, the course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): ASTR聽100, ASTR聽125 or PHYS聽125, PHYS聽122 or PHYS聽127.

Prerequisite: Consent of chairperson.

Prerequisite: Consent of chairperson.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

Research under faculty supervision for qualified senior students. Prior consent of the instructor (faculty member advising the research) and the Department Chair required for registration.

Research under faculty supervision for qualified senior students. Prior consent of the instructor (faculty member advising the research) and the Department Chair required for registration.