Astronomy (ASTRON)
ASTRON 1010: Introduction to Astronomy
Survey of methods of astronomy; description of the solar system, stellar astronomy, structure of the galaxy and the universe. Three hours of lecture and one hour of lab per week (scheduled by the instructor). Satisfies physical science laboratory requirement. Laboratory section: Survey of astronomical methods, instruments, observations and measurement techniques.
Credit Hours: 4
Recommended: MATH 1100 or equivalent
ASTRON 1010 - MOTR ASTR 100L: Astronomy with Lab
ASTRON 1020: Introduction to Laboratory Astronomy
This lab course explores some key concepts in observational and theoretical astronomy through interactive and digital simulations. The topics include the night sky, earth and moon, solar system, exoplanets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Designed to develop students' scientific reasoning and data analysis skills in an engaging way. Satisfies physical science laboratory requirement.
Credit Hours: 2
Recommended: MATH 1100
ASTRON 1050: Concepts in Cosmology
(same as PHYSCS 1050). This course explores the development of our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe. We will embark on a qualitative description of the Big Bang theory, the expansion of the universe and its current structure, the cosmic microwave background radiation, the existence of dark matter and dark energy and their implications for the Universe's ultimate fate.
Credit Hours: 3
ASTRON 1050 - MOTR ASTR 100: Astronomy
ASTRON 1100: Astrobiology
Astrobiology seeks to explore the origin, evolution, and distribution of life on the Earth and in other solar systems. This course presents an introduction to astrobiology beginning with the formation of stars and planets, and the origin and evolution of life on Earth. The course will then discuss the possible existence of life in the universe, the possibility of communication with Extra-Terrestrials (E.T.) and, ultimately, travel between the stars.
Credit Hours: 3
ASTRON 1200: History of Astronomy
Astronomy is the oldest and yet the newest science discipline that has far-reaching impact on our civilization. This course aims to provide a brief historical account of the major milestones in Astronomy that have led to our current understanding of the universe. Graded on A-F basis only.
Credit Hours: 3
ASTRON 2888: Exploring Research in Astronomy
Introductory research course in astronomy where students develop research skills under the guidance of a faculty member. Course appears on transcript for zero credit and does not count toward full-time enrollment. No tuition or fees are charged. Graded on S/U.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
ASTRON 3010: Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
(same as PHYSCS 3010). Elements of stellar, and galactic astrophysics. Interpretation of observations and physical conditions of various astronomical objects including stars, gaseous nubulea and, galaxies.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 3888: Exploring Research in Astronomy
Introductory research course in astronomy where students develop research skills under the guidance of a faculty member. Course appears on transcript for zero credit and does not count toward full-time enrollment. No tuition or fees are charged. Graded on S/U basis only.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
ASTRON 4020: Astrophysical Techniques
(same as PHYSCS 4020; cross-leveled with PHYSCS 7020, ASTRON 7020). Elements of modern astronomical instruments, observations and analysis, with the emphasis in the optical regime. Graded on A-F basis only.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 4250: Stellar Astrophysics
(same as PHYSCS 4250). Basic astrophysics of stable and unusual stars, stellar systems. Investigates stellar dimensions, radiation, spectra, energy, evolution, populations; interstellar medium, stellar motions and aggregation.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ASTRON 3010
ASTRON 4350: Galactic Astronomy
(same as PHYSCS 4350; cross-leveled with ASTRON 7350). Observational properties of normal galaxies and clusters of galaxies, Seyfert and emission-line structure and dynamics of galaxies; interacting galaxies, quasi-steller objects. Introduction to cosmology.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 4360: Extragalactic Astronomy
(same as PHYSCS 4360; cross-leveled with ASTRON 7360, PHYSCS 7360). This course introduces students to the most basic knowledge of extragalactic astronomy, starting from Milky Way and extending to the most distant universe. Topics covered will include galaxy morphology and classification, groups and clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and galaxy formation and evolution.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 4450: Introduction to Cosmology
(same as PHYSCS 4450; cross-leveled with PHYSCS 7450, ASTRON 7450). Develops the physical concepts necessary for understanding the major recent discoveries in cosmology, such as the acceleration of the universe and dark energy. No prior knowledge of general relativity is assumed.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 3150 or equivalent
ASTRON 4460: Interstellar Medium
(same as PHYSCS 4460; cross-leveled with ASTRON 7750, PHYSCS 7750). The course discusses observational properties and physical and chemical processes occurring in the interstellar medium. Topics include interstellar diffuse and molecular clouds, HII regions, dust grains, interstellar chemistry, star formation, supernova remnants, and interstellar shock waves.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 4550: Cosmochemistry
(same as PHYSCS 4550; cross-leveled with ASTRON 7550, PHYSCS 7550). Cosmic dust, stardust, spectra, energy, interstellar medium, meteorites, astromineralogy.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ASTRON 3010
ASTRON 4888: Research in Astronomy
Research conducted in the field of astronomy under the mentorship of a faculty member. Course appears on transcript for zero credit and does not count toward full-time enrollment. No tuition or fees are charged. Graded on S/U basis only.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
Recommended: PHYSCS 2750
ASTRON 4950: Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Special studies in astronomy; covers subjects not included in courses regularly offered.
Credit Hour: 1-3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
ASTRON 4960: Senior Thesis in Astronomy
Special studies for senior undergraduate students in astronomy. The course requires an oral or poster presentations, or faculty-guided writing of a senior thesis involving independent research. Departmental consent required for repetition. Enrollment limited to students who have completed 3 credit hours of ASTRON 4950 or PHYSCS 4950.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
ASTRON 7020: Astrophysical Techniques
(same as PHYSCS 7020; cross-leveled with PHYSCS 4020, ASTRON 4020). Elements of modern astronomical instruments, observations and analysis, with the emphasis in the optical regime. Graded on A-F basis only.
Credit Hours: 3
ASTRON 7350: Galactic Astronomy
(cross-leveled with PHYSCS 4350, ASTRON 4350). The course aims to introduce students to the basic knowledge of our Galaxy: how it looks like, how it might be formed, and how we have gained knowledge about it through observations. The main topics include distance measurement of stars, evolution of stars, interstellar medium, star clusters, the structure of Galaxy. The course will also briefly touch on "Near-field Cosmology" (sometimes referred to as "Galactic Archeology"), i.e., what we can infer from our Galaxy the general picture of galaxy formation and evolution.
Credit Hours: 3
ASTRON 7360: Extragalactic Astronomy
(same as PHYSCS 7360; cross-leveled with ASTRON 4360, PHYSCS 4360). This course introduces students to the most basic knowledge of extragalactic astronomy, starting from Milky Way and extending to the most distant universe. Topics covered will include galaxy morphology and classification, groups and clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and galaxy formation and evolution.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 7450: Introduction to Cosmology
(same as PHYSCS 7450; cross-leveled with PHYSCS 4450, ASTRON 4450). Develops the physical concepts necessary for understanding the major recent discoveries in cosmology, such as the acceleration of the universe and dark energy. No prior knowledge of general relativity is assumed.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 3150 or equivalent or instructor's consent
ASTRON 7550: Cosmochemistry
(same as PHYSCS 7550; cross-leveled with ASTRON 4550, PHYSCS 4550). Cosmic dust, stardust, spectra, energy, interstellar medium, meteorites, astromineralogy.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ASTRON 3010
ASTRON 7750: Interstellar Medium
(same as PHYSCS 7750; cross-leveled with PHYSCS 4460, ASTRON 4460). The course discusses observational properties and physical and chemical processes occurring in the interstellar medium. Topics include interstellar diffuse and molecular clouds, HII regions, dust grains, interstellar chemistry, star formation, supernova remnants, and interstellar shock waves.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHYSCS 2760
ASTRON 8301: Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Selected topics from solar system, stellar galactic and extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent
ASTRON 8550: Stellar Structure and Evolution
(same as PHYSCS 8550). Reviews of atomic and molecular spectra. Investigates quantum radiation law, emission and absorption processes, radiation transfer theory, continuous and discrete line spectra of stars, stellar composition.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ASTRON 4250, PHYSCS 4800, or instructor's consent