ASTR - Astronomy

ASTR 1105. Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System (3-0-3) History of astronomy, structure of the solar system, formation of the sun and planetary bodies, moons, comets, asteroids, and meteors.

ASTR 1106. Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (3-0-3) ASTR 1105 recommended as a prerequisite or co-requisite. The sun, stars and stellar evolution, black holes, nebulae and interstellar dust, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology.

ASTR 1305. Descriptive Astronomy Lab (0-2-1) Prerequisite or Co-requisite: ASTR 1105 or ASTR 1106. Laboratory exercises in astronomy and instruction on the use of telescopes and observational techniques. Activities will include the investigation of the physical nature of astronomical objects and the observation and measurement of the moon, planets, and stars.  (Course fee required.)

ASTR 3105. Physics, Chemistry, and Geology of the Solar System (3-0-3)Prerequisites: CHEM 1211, PHYS 1111, and GEOL 1121. Application of the laws of physics and the principles of chemistry to the solar system with special attention to the processes at work on and within planets and their satellites.

ASTR 4899. Independent Study (1-3)Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor and Department Chair. Independent study in a selected area of astronomy. Enrollment limited to students judged capable of performing astronomy research. Study will be directed by a faculty member representing the chosen area of specialization.

ASTR 5105. Life Beyond Earth (3-0-3) Prerequisites: MATH 1113 and one of the following: GEOL 1121/1122 or ASTR 1105/1106 or BIOL 1125 or CHEM 1211/1212 or PHYS 1111/1112 or ENVS 1105. The course will include understanding life on Earth, evaluating where in the solar system, and beyond life could possibly exist, ongoing searches for intelligent life, living in space, implications of discovering extra-terrestrial life.