ASTR - Physics-Astronomy

ASTR 110IN  Introduction to Astronomy: Mysteries of the Sky: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F, Sp) An introduction to contemporary astronomy that explores the nature, methods, and limitations of scientific inquiry within the context of our struggle to understand the structure and evolution of the Universe. Topics include the history of astronomy, motions of the night sky, the solar system, stellar evolution, galaxies, and cosmology. Common Exams.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Understand motions of the night sky including seasonal and circumpolar stars, phases of the moon, eclipses and seasons.\\n
  2. Know that the electromagnetic spectrum consists of many kinds of light and all light shares three aspects: travel speed, spreading out (1/r2 law) and that it travels in waves.\\n
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of how stars are classified and why the HR diagram is useful.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of stellar evolution and how astronomers determine how this is the case.
  5. Know the basics of our solar system.\\n
  6. Have an historic perspective of astronomy and know how our views of the universe have evolved over the centuries

ASTR 120CS  The Sun and Society: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Q core. (F, Sp) From the northern lights to a calendar that is built around it, the sun has played an essential role in the culture of humanity. We will explore the current scientific understanding of the sun, and the many ways it has shaped humanity

ASTR 291  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()

ASTR 371  Solar System Astronomy: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: PHSX 205, PHSX 220, or PHSX 240
COREQUISITE: PHSX 207, PHSX 222, or PHSX 242. (F, Su) Covers the origin and evolution of our solar system, including detailed examinations of the sun, earth, moon, other planets, and satellites. Exciting new discoveries and emerging research results will be integrated into the course. The laboratory operates in a "project mode" and includes experiments with models that can be done indoors as well as with the use of telescopes
.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Discuss the origin of the solar system.
  2. Discuss the exciting new discoveries and emerging research in astronomy
  3. Calculate the relative positions of the planets and satellites.
  4. Discuss important properties of the sun, earth, moon, and other planets and their satellites.
  5. Discuss important properties of the sun, earth, moon, and other planets and their satellites.
  6. Use a laboratory notebook for collecting planetary data.
  7. Calculate uncertainties of measured positions
  8. Describe the source of retrograde motion of the planets.

ASTR 372  Stars and the Milky Way: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PHSX 224. (Sp) Taught Spring Term: This course will provide an introduction to stars and the Milky Way. Topics to be covered include the classification of stellar spectra, stellar atmospheres, the interior of stars, the interstellar medium and star formation, stellar evolution, stellar remnants, Milky Way structure, and Milky Way kinematics

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compute the effective temperature, surface flux and observed flux of stars.\\n
  2. Compute the wavelength of spectral lines.\\n
  3. Compare the spectra of different types of stars.\\n
  4. Solve equations of stellar structure.\\n
  5. Compare and contrast different stellar evolutionary phases.\\n
  6. Distinguish between properties of various stellar remnants.\\n
  7. Analyze the structure and kinematics of the Milky Way galaxy.

ASTR 373  Extragalactic Astronomy: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ASTR 372
COREQUISITE: PHSX 320, PHSX 343. () Fall alternate even years: This course will provide an introduction to extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics. Topics to be covered include the nature of galaxies, galactic evolution, the structure of the Universe, active galaxies and supermassive black holes, cosmology, and the early Universe
.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Distinguish between different types of galaxies.\\n
  2. Compare the properties and structure of galaxies.\\n
  3. Compute the distance to galaxies using observed quantities.\\n
  4. Compare methods to identify active galactic nuclei. \\n
  5. Compare and contrast the different components of active galactic nuclei.\\n
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of the cosmic microwave background. \\n
  7. Solve equations for physical properties of the Universe.

ASTR 475  Observational Astronomy Techniques: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: ASTR 372, or graduate standing
COREQUISITE: PHSX 331. Fall alternate odd years: The physics and advanced analytical techniques of modern observational astronomy. Topics covered include coordinate systems, the optics of telescopes, detectors, images and spectra, data reduction and analysis using student developed computer code, model selection, and physical interpretation of data
.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Evaluate coordinates used in finding and recording celestial objects.\\n
  2. Categorizes different types of telescopes and detectors.\\n
  3. Interprets optical/NIR imaging and photometry as well as spectroscopy.\\n
  4. Devises projects to use common types of portable telescopes.\\n
  5. Perform and interpret imaging observations with electronic detectors.\\n
  6. Interpret data sets using simple mathematical models, including the role of measurement error.\\n
  7. Compose a research project report.

ASTR 476  Theoretical Astrophysics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ASTR 373 and PHSX 425. (Sp) Taught in Spring Term: A course covering the physics of astronomical objects and various phenomena, such as stellar radiation, compact objects, accretion, galactic dynamics, dark matter, dark energy, and physics of the early Universe

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Distinguish relevant time and length scales of astrophysical systems.\\n
  2. Formulate and apply physical arguments in the study of astrophysical systems.\\n
  3. Devise valid approximations to estimate the properties of astrophysical systems based on the above skills.\\n
  4. Connect theoretical astrophysical models to observable quantities.

ASTR 491  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()

ASTR 550  Radiative Processes in Astrophysics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PHSX 519. This course covers electromagnetic radiation from astrophysical sources. Topics include radiative transfer, blackbody radiation, atomic and molecular absorption and emission, radiation from moving charges, relativistic beaming, Bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, and Compton scattering. Applications to stars, the interstellar medium, supernovae, X-ray binaries, and active galactic nuclei will be discussed. Offered every other Spring (even years)

View Course Outcomes:

  1. explain different processes that generate electromagnetic radiation in astronomical objects.
  2. derive the properties of various astrophysical radiation processes, including Bremsstrahlung radiation and synchrotron radiation, and discuss the effects of charges moving relativistically.
  3. identify the emission mechanism at work in a variety of astrophysical objects, and show how this can be used to derive physical parameters of astrophysical objects.
  4. calculate and explain the appearance of emission and absorption lines, in terms of optical depth and physical properties of the source such as density and temperature. Use these to predict and interpret observations of astrophysical objects, and draw conclusions as to their properties.

ASTR 560  Stellar Astrophysics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PHSX 425, PHSX 462, PHSX 446, or graduate standing. () This course covers the physics of stars and stellar remnants. Topics include equations of the observed properties of stars, stellar structure, equations of state, numerical stellar models, dynamics and evolution of compact objects and accretion theory. Offered every other Fall (even years)

View Course Outcomes:

  1. develop the underlying physics needed to understand the structure, stability, and evolution of single stars, and have an appreciation for the effects of binarity.
  2. investigate, compare, and contrast the properties of various types of stars and stellar remnants.
  3. give examples and illustrate how stars of different mass evolve in time. They will understand the final stages stellar evolution and the violent events that mark the deaths of the most massive stars: supernova explosions. Students will appreciate the connection between gamma ray bursts, compact object mergers, and gravitational radiation observations.
  4. set up and organize the relevant equations of state, motion, equilibrium, and conservation relations that go into static and dynamic stellar models.\\n
  5. execute a stellar evolution code and present the results in a graphical way to answer questions.

ASTR 561  Astrophysics of Galaxies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ASTR 560. This course covers the stellar, gaseous, and dark matter content of galaxies, their internal bulk properties, structure, and dynamics. Additional topics include galaxy evolution, supermassive black holes, active galactic nuclei and large-scale structure. Offered every other Spring (odd years)

View Course Outcomes:

  1. obtain galaxy properties from observational data.
  2. apply basic physical principles to galaxy evolution and formation processes.
  3. calculate properties of active galactic nuclei including black hole mass and accretion rate using physical models.
  4. explain the origin and evolution of the large-scale structure of the Universe in the context of cosmological models and observations.
  5. apply material covered in the course to current research activities in extragalactic astrophysics.

ASTR 591  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()