ASTR - Astronomy
ASTR 600 Order-of-Magnitude Astrophysics
Credit 1.
1 Lecture Hour.
Introduction to the utility of order of magnitude calculations and the ability to think intuitively; short overviews of basic physical concepts followed by interactive activities and problem solving at the board. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: ASTR 314 or equivalent, or approval of instructor.
ASTR 601/PHYS 641 Extragalactic Astronomy
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Overview of observations of galaxies and large-scale structures in the Universe to understand their formation and evolution from theoretical and observational perspectives; galaxy luminosity functions; evolution of stellar populations and chemical enrichment; clusters and AGN. Prerequisites: PHYS 601; or ASTR 314 and PHYS 302; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 641/ASTR 601.
ASTR 602/PHYS 642 Astronomical Observing Techniques and Instrumentation
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Theory and practice of obtaining and analyzing astrometric, photometric, spectroscopic, and interferometric measurements of astronomical sources across the electromagnetic spectrum; principles of design, fabrication, assembly, test, deployment, and use of astronomical instruments. Prerequisites: PHYS 615 or equivalent; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 642/ASTR 602.
ASTR 603/PHYS 643 Stellar Astrophysics
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Theoretical and observational aspects of stellar astrophysics; thermodynamic properties of stellar interiors; energy sources; nuclear processes and burning stages; convective and radiative energy transport; evolutionary models; atmospheres; stability and pulsations; chemical enrichment processes; population synthesis. Prerequisites: PHYS 606 and PHYS 607 or equivalents; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 643/ASTR 603.
ASTR 604/PHYS 644 Cosmology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Basic principles of modern cosmology and particle physics; general relativity; cosmic inflation; Big Bang nucleosynthesis; expansion of the universe; cosmic microwave background; large-scale structure of the Universe; properties of particles; dark matter; dark energy. Prerequisites: PHYS 615 or equivalent; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 644/ASTR 604.
ASTR 605/PHYS 645 Galactic Astronomy
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Basic nature and structure of constituents of Milky Way galaxy; distribution and motions of stars and gas; origin evolution and distribution of large-scale chemical abundances and kinematic patterns across populations; models of galaxy formation and implications of modern observations. Prerequisites: PHYS 601 and PHYS 607 or equivalents; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 645/ASTR 605.
ASTR 606/PHYS 646 Radiative Transfer
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Fundamental radiative processes in stellar and planetary atmospheres; radiative fields; Stokes parameters; Mueller matrix formalism; radiation from moving charges; Compton scattering; plasma effects; atomic structure and radiative transitions; molecular structure and spectra; multiple scattering. Prerequisites: PHYS 302, PHYS 304, PHYS 408, and PHYS 412 or equivalents; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHYS 646/ASTR 606.
ASTR 681 Seminar
Credit 1.
1 Lecture Hour.
Subjects of current importance; normally required of all graduate students in astronomy. May be repeated for credit.
ASTR 684 Professional Internship
Credits 1 to 4.
1 to 4 Other Hours.
An experience in an astronomy-related setting that provides the student with the opportunity for engaged learning through professional involvement and professional supervision; may be taken for credit up to four hours; must be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor; graduate classification.
ASTR 685 Directed Studies
Credits 1 to 9.
1 to 9 Other Hours.
Individual problems not related to thesis. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
ASTR 689 Special Topics in…
Credits 1 to 4.
1 to 4 Lecture Hours.
Selected topics in an identified area of astronomy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
ASTR 691 Research
Credits 1 to 23.
1 to 23 Other Hours.
Research toward thesis or dissertation. Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree in physics or equivalent.