Astronomy Undergraduate Courses

Some courses may not be offered every year. Check with the college or department office for current information about when specific courses are offered.

For course syllabi, see the departmental website.

AST 180 INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY (3)

Diurnal motion, motion of solar system objects on the background of stars, light rays and spectra, the planets, Kepler's laws, space travel, coordinates and time, the moon and eclipses, meteors, comets and the sun, stars, stellar distances and stellar evolution, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, and the big bang universe. SAS

AST 180H INTRO TO ASTRONOMY - HONORS (3)

AST 181 INTRODUCTION TO OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY (1)

Lab to accompany AST 180. Astronomical observations and experiments. Use of telescope is stressed. 3 hrs. evening lab. Prerequisite or Corequisite: AST 180 or AST 180H LAB

AST 182 INTRODUCTION TO DAYTIME ASTRONOMY LAB (1)

Lab to accompany AST 180. Daytime telescope observations, sundials, celestial motions. Credit not granted for both AST 181 and 182. Corequisite: AST 180 or AST 180H LAB

AST 183 LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (3)

Course will survey the scientific topics that comprise the key elements of "Astrobiology." These include the philosophical foundations of astrobiology as a science, astronomical sources of life's chemical building blocks and habitable environments, extremophilic organisms, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, feasibility of space travel, and the search for life in the solar system and beyond. SAS

AST 184L LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE LABORATORY (1)

Laboratory Complement to lecture course AST 183 - "Life in the Universe." Course will survey the primary evidence for interences about the place of life in the cosmos, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, and extremophilic organisms. Prerequisite or Corequisite: AST 183 LAB

AST 198 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)

Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

AST 199 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)

Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

AST 201 INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY (3)

This is a course in comparative astronomy, as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples and western astronomers, which provides an introduction to ancient and living astronomies of native cultures. Letter grade only. CUE

AST 280 INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS (3)

Calculus-based introductory astrophysics course covering solar system mechanics, overview of planets, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, stellar evolution, galactic structure, interstellar medium, galaxies, and cosmology. Prerequisite: PHY 161 and PHY 161L and (MAT 136 or MAT 136H)

AST 301 OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY (3)

Time and coordinates, spherical triangle, astrometry; photographic and electronic imaging; astronomical optics; orbital elements; photometry, spectroscopy. Prerequisite: (AST 181 or AST 280) and (MAT 125 or MAT 125H) and Corequisite: AST 301L

AST 301L OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY LAB (1)

Lab for AST 301. Prerequisite: (AST 181 or AST 280) and (MAT 125 or MAT 125H)

AST 389 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (1-12)

Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Fee required. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 units.

AST 390 ASTROPHYSICS: THE SOLAR SYSTEM (3)

Physical processes governing the origin and evolution of the solar system and the objects within it. Prerequisite: AST 280 and MAT 137 and PHY 263

AST 391 ASTROPHYSICS: STARS (3)

Stellar atmospheres and interiors; star formation and stellar evolution. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and AST 280

AST 392 ASTROPHYSICS: GALAXIES AND COSMOLOGY (3)

Structure of the Milky Way and other galaxies; interstellar medium; quasars; cosmology. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and AST 280

AST 398 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)

In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

AST 399 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)

In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

AST 408 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE (1-12)

Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Fee required. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 units.

AST 485 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)

Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit. Department consent required.

AST 490 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (1-3)

Advanced topics in astronomy or astrophysics not regularly offered. Topics depend on regular or visiting faculty expertise and student demand. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units, as topics change.

AST 497 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6)

Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Letter grade or pass-fail. No repeat limit. Department consent required.

AST 498 SENIOR SEMINAR (1-3)

Integrates theory and practice, with emphasis on historical, contemporary, and future issues. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

AST 499 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS (1-3)

Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. Letter grade only. No repeat limit.