Astronomy Undergraduate Courses • Spring 2015

  • Introduction to General Astronomy

    Astronomy C10 | Letters and Science C70U

    CCN: 05915

    Instructor: Alex Filippenko

     A description of modern astronomy with emphasis on the structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. Additional topics optionally discussed include quasars, pulsars, black holes, and extraterrestrial communication, etc. Individual instructor’s synopses available from the department.

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  • Description of research and results in modern extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We read the stories of discoveries of the principles of our Universe. Simple algebra is used.

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  • Introduction to Astrophysics

    Astro 7B

    CCN: 05906

    Instructor: Eugene Chiang

    This is the second part of an overview of astrophysics, which begins with 7A. This course covers the Milky Way galaxy, star formation and the interstellar medium, galaxies, black holes, quasars, dark matter, the expansion of the universe and its large-scale structure, and cosmology and the Big Bang. The physics in this course includes that used in 7A (mechanics and…

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  • Radio Astronomy Laboratory

    Astro 121

    CCN:

    Instructor: Aaron Parsons

    Several basic laboratory experiments that concentrate on microwave electronics and techniques; construction of receiving, observing, and data analysis systems for two radioastronomical telescopes, a single-dish 21-cm line system and a 12-GHz interferometer; use of these telescopes for astronomical observing projects including structure of the Milky Way galaxy, precise position measurement of several radio sources, and measurement of the radio brightness…

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  • Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology

    Astro C161 | Physics C161

    CCN: 06017

    Instructor: Chung-Pei Ma

    Elements of general relativity. Physics of pulsars, cosmic rays, black holes. The cosmological distance scale, elementary cosmological models, properties of galaxies and quasars. The mass density and age of the universe. Evidence for dark matter and dark energy and concepts of the early universe and of galaxy formation. Reflections on astrophysics as a probe of the extrema of physics.

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