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Please see the course schedule for details, and to see which courses are offered this semester.

General Astronomy: Solar System (ASTR 1000)

Introduces principles of modern astronomy for non-science majors, summarizing our present knowledge about the Earth, Sun, moon, planets, and origin of life. Offers opportunities to attend nighttime observing sessions at Sommers-Bausch Observatory. Some sessions are at Fiske Planetarium.

Introductory Astronomy 1 (ASTR 1010)

Introduces principles of modern astronomy for non-science majors, summarizing our present knowledge about the Earth, Sun, moon, planets, and origin of life. Requires nighttime observing sessions at Sommers-Bausch Observatory. Some sessions are at Fiske Planetarium.

Introductory Astronomy 2 (ASTR 1020)

Introduces principles of modern astronomy for non-science majors, summarizing our present knowledge about the Sun, stars, birth and death of stars, neutron stars, black holes, galaxies, quasars, and the organization and origins of the universe. Offers nighttime observing sessions at Sommers Bausch Observatory. Some sessions at Fiske Planetarium.

General Astronomy: Stars & Galaxies (ASTR 1200)

Examines principles of modern astronomy for non-science majors, summarizing our present knowledge about the Sun, stars, neutron stars, black holes, interstellar gas, galaxies, quasars, and the structure and origin of the universe. Some sessions at Fiske Planetarium.

Ancient Astronomies of the World (ASTR 2000)

Documents the numerous ways in which observational astronomy and cosmology have been features of ancient cultures. Includes naked eye astronomy, archaeoastronomy, ethnoastronomy, concepts of time, calendrics, cosmogony, and cosmology. Some sessions are at Fiske Planetarium.

Modern Cosmology (ASTR 2010)

Introduces modern cosmology to non-science majors. Covers the Big Bang, the age size and structure of the universe; and the origin of the elements and of stars, galaxies, the solar system and life.

Introduction to Space Astronomy (ASTR 2020)

Discusses reasons for making astronomical observations from space, scientific goals, practical requirements for placing instruments in space, politics of starting new programs, and selected missions. Prerequisite: ASTR 1010, 1020, 1110, or 1120.

Black Holes (ASTR 2030)

Black holes are one of the most bizarre phenomena of nature. Students are introduced to the predicted properties of black holes, astronomical evidence for their existence and formation, and modern ideas about space, time, and gravity.

Search for Life in the Universe (ASTR 2040)

Introduces the scientific basis for the possible existence of life elsewhere in the universe. Includes origin and evolution of life on Earth and the search for evidence of life in our solar system, especially Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. Discusses the conditions necessary for life and whether they might arise on planets around others stars. Same as GEOL 2040. Elective for APS minor.