Courses - Fall 2025
ASTR100
Introduction to Astronomy
Credit only granted for: ASTR100, ASTR101, or ASTR120.
Take a tour of the universe! This course wanders through the night sky, learning about phases of the Moon and eclipses, and then stops by the different planets, moons, and small bodies within our solar system. After that, it's on to bigger things, with stops by the Sun and other stars, learning about how they live and die - possibly in supernovae! - before exploring the weird objects left behind, such as neutron stars and black holes. All of these objects are within our galaxy, the Milky Way, which is one of uncountable galaxies in the universe! A tour wouldn't be complete without thinking about where it all came from: the Big Bang. This course is for non-Astronomy majors and is mostly descriptive with some algebra and trigonometry.
ASTR101
General Astronomy
Credit only granted for: ASTR100, ASTR101, or ASTR120.
Descriptive astronomy, appropriate for non-science majors. Sun, moon, planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies and evolution. Laboratory exercises include use of photographic material, computer simulations, and standard laboratory equipment.
Discussion sections and lab sections do not meet the first week of classes. Attend lecture before coming to discussion or lab sections. Students must pay a $50.00 Laboratory Materials fee.
ASTR120
Introductory Astrophysics - Solar System
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH140.
Restriction: Must not have completed ASTR101 or ASTR100.
Credit only granted for: ASTR100, ASTR101, or ASTR120.
For students majoring in astronomy or with a strong interest in science. Topics include development of astronomy, planetary orbits, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes as well as constituents and origin of the solar system (planets, satellites, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, etc.).
ASTR230
Prerequisite: Must have math eligibility of MATH115 or higher; or MATH113.
Have you ever wondered if humans will ever terraform Mars or Europa so we could live there without a spacesuit? Has it ever crossed your mind how lucky you are that you live on a water-rich planet with an oxygen-rich atmosphere? Have you ever suspected novelists and scriptwriters of creating ridiculous planets that violate scientific laws? Does the fate of our planet's thin biosphere keep you up at night? How common is life in the Universe? These are difficult questions, but armed with the right information, you can answer all of them. The Science and Fiction of Planetary Systems will help you develop a deeper understanding of why planets are the way they are. Along the way, you'll see examples of mistakes made in classic science fiction movies, novels and short stories and get the chance to invent your own plausible planets!
ASTR288
Special Projects in Astronomy
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
A faculty sponsor must be found by the students prior to enrollment.
ASTR288B
Special Projects in Astronomy; Mathematics in Astronomy
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This course is offered to Astronomy majors only.
ASTR288I
Special Projects in Astronomy; Introduction to the Astronomy Major
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: permission of department.
ASTR310
Observational Astronomy
Prerequisite: ASTR121; and (PHYS171 or PHYS161). Or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Restriction: Must be in Astronomy program.
Introduction to current optical observational techniques, with brief coverage of infrared, ultraviolet, and x-ray techniques. Statistics, spherical trigonometry time, catalogs, geometrical and physical optics, telescopes, and optical instruments. Effects of the atmosphere. Practical work at the observatory using a CCD camera. Some nighttime observing sessions.
ASTR330
Solar System Astronomy
Prerequisite: ASTR100 or ASTR101; and completion of the CORE Distributive Studies requirement in Mathematics and Sciences or the General Education Fundamental Studies requirement in Mathematics. Or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Credit only granted for: ASTR330 or GEOL212.
Designed primarily for non-science majors. The structure of planets and of their atmospheres, the nature of comets, asteroids, and satellites. Comparison of various theories for the origin of the solar system. Emphasis on a description of recent data and interpretation.
ASTR340
Origin of the Universe
Prerequisite: ASTR100 or ASTR101; and completion of the CORE Distributive Studies requirement in Mathematics and Sciences or General Education Fundamental Studies requirement in Mathematics. Or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Designed primarily for non-science majors. A study of our progression of knowledge about the universe. Topics include: early cosmological models, geocentric vs. heliocentric theory, curvature of space, Hubble's Law, Big Bang Theory, microwave background radiation, evolution of stars and galaxies, dark matter, active galaxies, quasars and the future of the universe.
ASTR350
Black Holes
Prerequisite: ASTR100 or ASTR101; and completion of the CORE Distributive Studies requirement in Mathematics and Sciences or General Education Fundamental Studies requirement in Mathematics. Or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Credit only granted for: ASTR398B or ASTR350.
Formerly: ASTR398B.
Black holes are the most exotic prediction of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity and, amazingly, the Universe seems to manufacture these bizarre objects in copious numbers. As well as being the ultimate laboratory for studying the nature of space and time, they drive some of the most energetic and extreme phenomena known to astronomers (with quasars and gamma-ray bursts being just a couple of examples). In this introduction to the physics and astrophysics of black holes, we start by examining the basic physics of black holes, which fundamentally means understanding gravity. We then look at the nature of stellar-mass black holes and supermassive black holes. We will discuss the fairly recent realization that black holes may be crucial agents for regulating the growth of galaxies. Finally, we dive into the realm of theoretical physics and probe how black holes may provide a route for uncovering new laws of physics governing the structure of space and time.
ASTR380
Life in the Universe - Astrobiology
Designed primarily for non-science majors. Study of the astronomical perspective on the conditions for the origin and existence of life in the universe.
ASTR399
Honors Seminar
Credits:
1 - 16
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
ASTR421
Galaxies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: ASTR121; and (PHYS271 and PHYS270; or PHYS273). Or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Introduction to structure, kinematics, and dynamics of normal and peculiar galaxies. Quantitative descriptions of normal spiral galaxies (like our Milky Way) and elliptical galaxies will be followed by more exotic considerations such as interacting and merging galaxies, and active galactic nuclei.
ASTR422
Cosmology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in ASTR320; or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Introduction to modern cosmology. Topics include large scale structure of universe, the intergalactic medium, the nature of dark matter cosmological models and galaxy formation.
ASTR498
Special Problems in Astronomy
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
ASTR601
Radiative Processes
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Emission, absorption, and scattering of radiation by matter, with astrophysical applications. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics: LTE, Boltzmann, and Saha equations; radiative transfer; atomic and molecular radiation; plasma radiation and transfer: bremsstrahlung, synchrotron emission, Compton scattering.
ASTR610
Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Review of Maxwell's equations; designs of telescopes, spectrographs, modern detectors; basic concepts for radio detectors and telescopes; interferometry and data processing.
ASTR622
Cosmology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Introduction to modern cosmology. Topics include the large scale structure of the universe, cosmological models, the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background, the nature of dark matter, and galaxy formation.
ASTR688B
Special Topics in Modern Astronomy; Current Astronomy Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F
ASTR695
Introduction to Research
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
Provides an introduction to research programs in the Department of Astronomy and a forum to explore possible research projects. Aimed at incoming graduate students.
ASTR699
Special Problems in Advanced Astronomy
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
ASTR799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
ASTR898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
S-F
ASTR899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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