Courses - Spring 2027
ASTR100
Introduction to Astronomy
Credit only granted for: ASTR100, ASTR101, ASTR120, or ASTR130.
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.
Discussion sections do not meet the first week of classes. Attend lecture before coming to discussion section.
ASTR101
General Astronomy
Credit only granted for: ASTR100, ASTR101, ASTR120, or ASTR130.
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 do not meet the first week of classes. Attend lecture before coming to discussion or lab section. Students must pay a $50.00 Laboratory Materials fee.
ASTR131
Introductory Astrophysics 2 - Planets and Stars
Prerequisite: ASTR130; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH140.
Restriction: Must be in CMNS- Astronomy program.
Credit only granted for: ASTR131 or ASTR120.
Second course in a three-course sequence for students planning to major in Astronomy. Conservation laws; terrestrial planet geology, surfaces, and atmospheres; jovian planets; small bodies; solar structure and activity; stellar characteristics; variable stars; exoplanets; solar system formation.
ASTR220
Collisions in Space - The Threat of Asteroid Impacts
Should we defend our planet against potential asteroid impacts? Collisions in Space will evaluate the threat of asteroid impacts with the Earth using knowledge of asteroid characteristics and orbits. The merits of possible defense plans will be discussed, as well as the budgetary and political concerns associated with implementing any such plan. Appropriate for non-science majors.
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.
ASTR300
Stars and Stellar Systems
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. Study of stars-types, properties, evolution, and distribution in space; supernovae, pulsars, and black holes.
ASTR320
Theoretical Astrophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: ASTR232 and PHYS273.
Restriction: Must be in CMNS-Astronomy program.
Application of selected physics concepts in an astrophysical context. Topics would include gravity (Keplerian motion, Virial theorem, Roche limit, dynamical friction); gas dynamics (hydrostatic equilibrium, stellar models, spiral density waves), thermodynamics and statistical physics (Boltzmann distribution, Wien displacement, convective instability, degenerate gas); atomic physics (quantum principles, H atom, permitted and forbidden lines); radiation processes (line radiation, opacity).
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.
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.
ASTR398
Special Topics in Astronomy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
ASTR399
Honors Seminar
Credits:
1 - 16
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
ASTR406
Stellar Structure and Evolution
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: ASTR320; or permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Credit only granted for: ASTR498N or ASTR406.
Formerly: ASTR498N.
Study of stellar internal structure, nuclear reactions, and energy transport. Study of stellar evolution of both low-mass and high-mass stars, including the stellar end states of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.
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.
ASTR435
Astrophysics of Exoplanets
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: ASTR232; and PHYS273.
Introduction to exoplanets. Topics include historical development, advantages, and limitations of detection methods, the statistics of exoplanet characteristics, the bulk properties of known expolanets, and remote sensing for characterization of exoplanets.
ASTR498
Special Problems in Astronomy
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
ASTR615
Computational Astrophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Credit only granted for: ASTR415 or ASTR615.
Introduction to computational techniques used in astrophysical research. Topics include modern high performance computer architectures, scientific visualization and data analysis, and detailed descriptions of numerical algorithms for the solution to a wide range of mathematical systems important in astrophysics.
ASTR670
Interstellar Medium and Gas Dynamics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Astronomy department.
Content of phases of the interstellar medium: physical processes in the ISM: ionization equilibrium, heating and cooling, interstellar dust; gas dynamics: fluid motions, instabilities, shock waves; magnetohydrodynamics.
ASTR688C
Special Topics in Modern Astronomy; Seminar in Modern Astronomy Research
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
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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