Note: For listings of related courses, see Astronomy, Physics, Medical Physics, and Space Physics.
Senior Courses
Astrophysics305
Introduction to Astrophysics
Fundamentals of modern astrophysics including observations and physical interpretation physical phenomena in the Universe. Topics include the nature of the Sun and stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium; distances and motions in the universe; radiation and telescopes; celestial mechanics; stellar evolution. Minor laboratory exercises including one at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory as circumstances permit. Course Hours:3 units; (3-2T-1) Prerequisite(s):3 units from Physics 211, 221, 227 or Engineering 202; and 3 units from Mathematics 267 or 277. Also known as:(formerly Astrophysics 213)
Lectures and practical laboratory sessions in observational astronomy. Students will collect, reduce, and interpret astronomical data, develop an understanding of telescopes, instruments, and detectors; reduction and analysis methods; simulations and model fitting; data and error analysis. Observations will be carried out at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and/or the main campus. Course Hours:3 units; (3-3) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 213 or 305. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Astrophysics 307 and 507 will not be allowed.
The galaxy: space distribution of stars and interstellar material; kinematics and dynamics of stellar systems; rotation and spiral structure; classification and global properties of galaxies; active galaxies. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) Prerequisite(s):Physics 229 or 325; Physics 259 or 355; Mathematics 376 or 375; and Astrophysics 213 or 305.
Observational properties of stars; equations of stellar structure; physics of stellar interiors; structure and evolution of stars; white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes; observational aspects of stellar atmospheres; radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres; opacity; spectral line formation. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 213 or 305; Physics 229 or 325; Physics 341 or Engineering 349; and Mathematics 375 or 376.
Orbital mechanics. Planetary interiors, surfaces, atmosphere, ionospheres and magnetospheres. Solar magnetism and activity cycles. Comets, asteroids, meteorites. Origin of the solar system. Exoplanets. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 213 or 305; Physics 229 or 325; Physics 341; and Mathematics 376 or 375. Antirequisite(s):Credit for Astrophysics 409 and 309 will not be allowed.
Multiwavelength observations of gas and dust in our Galaxy; distribution and physics of neutral atomic hydrogen and molecules; interstellar chemistry; physics of dust grains; HII regions; interstellar shocks; gas dynamics; star formation. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 401 and Physics 343.
Principles and tools of modern ground-based and space astronomy emphasizing ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio radiation. Data acquisition and reduction techniques for astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy, imaging, and interferometry. Use of astronomical data analysis software. Course Hours:3 units; (1-6)
Wave propagation, antennas, interferometry, aperture synthesis, radio receivers, and spectrometers. Applications to continuum and line radiation in stars, interstellar medium and extragalactic objects. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0)
Interaction of high energy particles with matter, propagation and origin of cosmic rays; structure of white dwarfs and neutron stars; the physics of jets and the accretion process onto compact objects; supernovae and supernova remnants; active galactic nuclei. Course Hours:3 units; (3-0)
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION