The typical major program includes Astro 291/292/293 in the sophomore year, plus four Astro 4xx-level courses spread over the junior and senior years. At present, Astro 293 is not required for the major -- but we strongly recommend it. Majors are expected to take Astro 475W to fulfill their graduation writing requirement. All Astro 497 courses can be used to fulfill the major requirement, in addition to those explicitly listed in the Baccalaureate Bulletin. Currently offered courses are: (General Education courses are marked with "GN" designations.)

ASTRO 291 (GN) Astronomical Methods and the Solar System (3:3:0) (DN). Prerequisites: PHYS 201 GN or PHYS 215 GN.

ASTRO 292 (GN) Astronomy of the Distant Universe (3:3:0) (DN).

This is a yearlong sequence covering all of astronomy including historical development, physics of gravity, light and atoms; planets, moons and other objects in our solar system; the sun and other stars; the structure and evolution of stars including star formation, red giants, neutron stars, supernovae and black holes; the Milky Way and other galaxies; quasars and other active galactic nuclei; the expanding Universe and Big Bang cosmology; the role of intelligent life in the Universe. ASTRO 291 is offered in the fall and ASTRO 292 in the spring. Prerequisite: ASTRO 291 (GN).

ASTRO 293 Observational Astronomy Laboratory (1:0:2). Concurrent: ASTRO 292 (GN).

Hands-on use of the 24" telescope on the roof of Davey Laboratory, equipped with a CCD camera and computer interface. Data are collected and analyzed on UNIX workstations in the Physical Sciences Computing Laboratory using professional imaging analysis software. Other laboratories involve study of stellar evolution, galaxy distances and cosmology.

ASTRO 400H Honors Seminar (1:1:0)

Presentations of various branches and modes of astronomical research by members of the department faculty. Includes visits to telescopes and facilities and discussion. This course is designed for University Scholars who major in Astronomy and Astrophysics or a related technical field, but places may be available to non-Scholar majors.

ASTRO 410 Computational Astrophysics (3:3:0)

Hands-on computational and programming techniques for calculation relevant to astronomy including gravitational N-body simulations, stellar atmospheres, astrophysical plasmas, and accretion processes. This class is taught in the Physical Sciences Computer Laboratory using UNIX workstations. Prerequisites: CMPSC 201 GQ or PHYS 204 GN.

ASTRO 440 Introduction to Astrophysics (3:3:0)

Theoretical investigation of physical processes in astronomical objects such as ordinary stars, neutron stars, stellar clusters, galaxies and active galactic nuclei. Presents modern physical interpretations of a wide range of astronomical phenomena. Prerequisites: MATH 230, PHYS 237.

ASTRO 451 Astronomical Techniques (2:2:0)

Practical methods of modern observational astronomy including optics, detectors, filters, instrumentation and data analysis for a variety of ground-based and space-based observatories. This is a two-hour/week lecture course; Astronomy and Astrophysics majors usually take ASTRO 452 concurrently. Prerequisite: PHYS 204 (GN).

ASTRO 452 Advanced Astronomy Laboratory (1:0:2)

Hands-on experiments with modern astronomical instrumentation including optical telescope, CCD camera, gas proportional counter. Data analysis uses IBM PCs and UNIX workstations. Prerequisite or concurrent: ASTRO 292 (GN), 451.

ASTRO 475W Stars and Galaxies (3:3:0)

Covers selected topics concerning the evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies. Student work entirely consists of written essays, a term paper and oral reports.Prerequisite: ASTRO 292 (GN).

ASTRO 480 Nebulae, Galaxies, and Cosmology (3:3:0)

Discusses spectroscopy, structure and evolution of normal galaxies, the physics of active galactic nuclei and quasars, and topics in observational cosmology. Prerequisites: ASTRO 292 (GN), PHYS 204 (GN).

ASTRO 485 Introduction to High-Energy astronomy (3:3:0)

The study of compact stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes), supernova and supernova remnants, and active galactic nuclei through X-ray and gamma-ray observations. Prerequisite: PHYS 237.

ASTRO 492 (AERSP, E E) Space Astronomy and Introduction to Space Science (3:3:0)

Investigation of the Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, radiation belts, magnetosphere, and orbital mechanics. This course is offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering, and is cross-listed by the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prerequisite: PHYS 400 or E E 361.

Astro 497 Special Topics: Radio Astronomy (3:3:0)

Study of radio emission from stars, the Milky Way, and extragalactic objects. Observational techniques and pulsar astronomy are emphasized. Prerequisite: ASTRO 292 (GN).