2014-2015 Catalog

ASTR 18100. The Milky Way. 100 Units.

In this course, students study what is known about our galaxy, the Milky Way. We discuss its size, shape, composition, location among its neighbors, motion, how it evolves, and where we are located within it, with an emphasis on how we know what we claim to know. L.

Instructor(s): R. Kron     Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): Any two-course 10000-level general education sequence in chemistry, geophysical sciences, physical sciences, or physics.
Equivalent Course(s): PHSC 18100

ASTR 18200. The Origin and Evolution of the Universe. 100 Units.

This course discusses how the laws of nature allow us to understand the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe. After a review of the history of cosmology, we see how discoveries in the twentieth century (i.e., the expansion of the universe and the cosmic background radiation) form the basis of the hot Big Bang model. Within the context of the Big Bang, we learn how our universe evolved from the primeval fireball.

Instructor(s): N. Gnedin     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Any two-course 10000-level general education sequence in chemistry, geophysical sciences, physical sciences, or physics.
Equivalent Course(s): PHSC 18200

ASTR 18300. Searching Between the Stars. 100 Units.

With the advent of modern observational techniques (e.g., radio, satellite astronomy), it has become possible to study free atoms, molecules, and dust in the vast space between the stars. The observation of interstellar matter provides information on the physical and chemical conditions of space and on the formation and evolution of stars.

Instructor(s): D. Harper     Terms Offered: TBD
Prerequisite(s): Any two-course 10000-level general education sequence in chemistry, geophysical sciences, physical sciences, or physics.
Equivalent Course(s): PHSC 18300

ASTR 20000. Tutorial in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 100 Units.

Students in this tutorial read topics in astronomy and astrophysics under the supervision of a faculty member. Instructors meet with one to three students for approximately two hours each week to discuss readings on topics they choose together.

Terms Offered: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Any 10000-level general education sequence in chemistry, geophysical sciences, physical sciences, or physics.
Note(s): Class limited to six students. Available for either quality grades or for P/F grading.

ASTR 21300. Origin and Evolution of the Solar System. 100 Units.

Representative topics include abundance and origin of the elements; formation, condensation, and age of the solar system; meteorites and the historical record of the solar system they preserve; comets and asteroids; the planets and their satellites; temperatures and atmospheres of the planets; and the origin of the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. (L)

Instructor(s): L. Grossman      Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor required; knowledge of physical chemistry recommended
Note(s): This course is offered in alternate years.
Equivalent Course(s): GEOS 22000

ASTR 23000. Cosmos and Conscience: Looking for Ourselves Elsewhere. 100 Units.

Science and religion are two ways, among many others, that people can seek to know about reality: how do we construct ordered pictures of the whole—cosmos or civilization—and how do we relate to them in terms of action? How do we know what we do not know, and what does that kind of “knowledge” mean for the orientation and direction of human existence? How would cultural biases be affected by knowing that there are others “out there” in the universe, should we discover them? From various perspectives, this course addresses these questions of the origins, structures, and ends of reality as we look for ourselves—seek understanding of the human condition—in the cosmos but also in complex religious and cultural traditions. Whereas in our popular culture, science is often identified with the realm of knowledge and religion is simply “belief” or “practice,” the course also seeks to trace the rational limits of science and the rational force of religion with respect to the ethical problem of the right and good conduct of human life.

Instructor(s): W. Schweiker, D. York     Terms Offered: Not offered 2014-2015
Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing
Equivalent Course(s): BPRO 23000,RLST 23603

ASTR 24100. The Physics of Stars and Stellar Systems. 100 Units.

Building upon a student's previous knowledge of physics, this course introduces the astrophysics of stars and stellar systems with an emphasis on the physical nature of stars. Topics include the tools of astronomy, both observational and theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams, structure and evolution of stars, binary stars, star clusters, and end states of stars (e.g., white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes). L.

Instructor(s): H.-W. Chen     Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 23400 or consent of instructor.

ASTR 24200. The Physics of Galaxies and the Universe. 100 Units.

Physical laws are applied in the study of the structures and evolution of galaxies, quasars, clusters of galaxies, and the universe at large.

Instructor(s): W. Hu     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): ASTR 24100 or consent of instructor.

ASTR 28200. Current Topics in Astrophysics. 100 Units.

This course explores in considerable detail an area of current research interest in astrophysics. The topic varies, but recent examples include the early universe, high-energy astrophysics, magneto-hydrodynamics in astrophysics, and observational cosmology.

Instructor(s): D. Harper     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): ASTR 24100 and 24200, or consent of instructor.

ASTR 29700. Participation in Research. 100 Units.

Students are assigned to work in the research group of a member of the faculty. Participation in research may take the form of independent work on a small project or assistance to an advanced graduate student or faculty member in his or her research.

Terms Offered: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing and consent of instructor and departmental counselor.
Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Available for either quality grades or for P/F grading. Students may register for this course for as many quarters as they wish; they need not work with the same faculty member each time.

PHSC 11900-12000. Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics; The Origin of the Universe and How We Know.

Must be taken in sequence. PHSC will be taught in Autumn and Winter Quarters, and PHSC 12000 will be taught in Winter and Spring Quarters.

PHYS 29100-29200-29300. Bachelor's Thesis.

This yearlong sequence of courses is designed to involve the student in current research. Over the course of the year, the student works on a research project in physics or a closely related field (e.g., astrophysics) leading to the writing of a bachelor’s thesis. A student who submits a satisfactory thesis, earns a grade of B or higher based on the project, and achieves a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the required undergraduate physics courses is eligible to receive a BA with honors. The project may be one suggested by the instructor or one proposed by the student and approved by the instructor. In either case, all phases of the project (including the literature search, design and construction of the experiments, and analysis) must be done by the student. The instructor, the faculty adviser, post-docs, and graduate students are, of course, available for consultation.