Courses in Astronomy
You can obtain a printed copy of the entire Physics/Astronomy
catalog section from the Department office (CF 385).
103 INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY (4) F,W,S
Prereq: MATH 107 or higher. A survey of astronomy including the solar system, galactic structure and cosmology. Not recommended for science, math or computer science majors.
315 THE SOLAR SYSTEM (4) F
Prereq: PHYS 114 or equivalent. Motions of the planets, satellites and other bodies of the solar system. Eclipses; time systems; properties and composition of the plan-ets and their satellites, with particular emphasis on the discoveries of the space program. Intended for science, math and computer science majors.
316 STARS AND GALAXIES (4) W
Prereq: one year of college physics. Observational evidence of the nature of stars; star formation and star death; structure and kinematics of the Milky Way and other galaxies.
320 COSMOLOGY (4) S
Prereq: ASTR 316. Large-scale structure of the universe; black holes and active galaxies; curved spacetime; evolution of the expanding universe; the Big Bang and the early universe.
326 ASTROPHYSICAL INSTRUMENTATION LAB (1) W
Prereq: concurrent enrollment in ASTR 316 and permission of instructor (override required). Operation of manual and computerized telescope systems, including the WWU 12-inch Meade LX 200. Astronomical units and coordinate systems. Basic optics and detector theory. Planning planetarium shows and observations for public outreach. Meeting schedule will depend on weather. S/U grading.
333 LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (3) F
Prereq: 3 credits of college astronomy. Nature and formation of life in the solar system; extra-solar planets, habitability zones, and life in extreme environments; search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence; problems of interstellar communication and travel.
416 STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS (3) W
Prereq: PHYS 336, 363 and ASTR 316. Stellar physics. Radiation transport and spectral line formation in stellar atmospheres; interior stellar structure, including composition and energy generation; stellar models.
493 SENIOR PROJECT IN ASTRONOMY (1-3) F,W,S
Prereq: ASTR 316; senior status in physics; permission of instructor required. Individual astronomy projects under supervision. The astronomy project may be an extension of a summer research project carried out at another institution. Oral presentation and written paper with drafts required. Repeatable for credit. S/U grading. Writing proficiency course.
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