Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

• Academic Calendar
• Board of Regents
  & System Adminstrative
  Officers
• TAMU Administrative
  Officers
• General Information
• International Programs
  for Students
• University Honors Program
• General Academic Programs
• University Studies Degrees
• Environmental Programs for Students
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• College of Architecture
• Mays Business School
• College of Education and Human Development
• Dwight Look College of Engineering
• College of Geosciences
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• General Academic Programs
• School of Military Sciences
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Texas A&M University at Qatar
• Graduate Studies
• Course Descriptions
• Faculty
• Appendices

Course Descriptions

Astronomy
(ASTR)

101. Basic Astronomy. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

A qualitative approach to basic stellar astronomy; earth-moon-sun relationships then studies of distances to stars, stellar temperatures, and other physical properties; birth, life on the main sequence of the H-R diagram, and ultimate fates of stars.

102. Observational Astronomy. (0-3). Credit 1. I, II, S

Observational and laboratory course which may be taken in conjunction with ASTR 101 or 314. Use of techniques and instruments of classical and modern astronomy. Prerequisite: ASTR 101 or 314, or registration therein.

109. Big Bang and Black Holes. (3-0). Credit 3.

Designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify them for the non-scientist. Cross-listed with PHYS 109.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Special work in laboratory or theory to meet individual requirements in cases not covered by regular curriculum; intended for use as lower-level credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.

289. Special Topics in . . . Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of astronomy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

291. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in astronomy. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.

314. Survey of Astronomy. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Primarily for majors in science and engineering. Kepler’s laws, law of gravitation, solar system, stars, stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, cosmology, clusters, nebulae, pulsars, quasars, black holes. Prerequisite: PHYS 208.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 or more. I, II, S

Special work in laboratory or theory to meet individual requirements in cases not covered by regular curriculum. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.

489. Special Topics in . . . Credit 1 to 4. I, II, S

Selected topics in an identified topic of astronomy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in astronomy. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Registration in multiple sections of this course is possible within a given semester provided that the per semester credit hour limit is not exceeded. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.