Complete Course Listing
AST 1072 Birth & Death of Stars
Description: The life cycles of the stars from birth in dark, dense interstellar clouds to death in nature's most violent cataclysms. Topics include: formation of the chemical elements; effects of nearby supernovae; future of the Sun; ultimate fate of the Earth. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: VSB Social/Natural Science
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 1074 Planetary Skies and Landscapes
Description: A study of the surfaces and atmospheres of other worlds and how they compare to Earth. Physical processes which shape planetary interiors and surfaces; atmosphere and climate evolution; formation of the Solar System; properties of "solar systems" around other stars. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: VSB Social/Natural Science
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 1076 How Old is the Universe?
Description: Explores one of the most basic questions in modern astronomy. Evidence from the Earth, Moon, and meterorites will be examined, along with that from stars, white dwarfs, and the Universe itself. Includes an overview of the formation and evolution of the Universe. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: VSB Social/Natural Science
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 1078 Life in the Universe
Description: Discusses Earthly "life as we know it," then considers the possibilities of biological life elsewhere in the Solar System - and beyond. Describes the general conditions favoring planetary habitability, planetary detection techniques, and the likelihood of finding intelligent extraterrestrial life. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: VSB Social/Natural Science
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 2120 Sun and Stars
Description: A technical study of the Sun and other stars; their internal constitutions and atmospheres, life cycles and evolutionary processes, memberships in groups, the radiations they produce, and the manner in which astronomers quantify their characteristics. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Sciences Engineering
Prerequisites: MAT 1310 or MAT 1320 or MAT 1330 or MAT 1400 or MAT 1500
AST 2121 Solar System Astronomy
Description: The science of the solar system. Early ideas of the nature of the solar system; the dynamics and compositions of the planets; atmospheric evolution and maintenance. How comets and meteorites reveal the structures of the primitive solar system. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Sciences Engineering
Prerequisites: MAT 1310 or MAT 1320 or MAT 1330 or MAT 1400 or MAT 1500
AST 2122 Understanding Our Universe
Description: A study of the formation and evolution of the Universe. Emphasis on the observational evidence leading to the Big Bang Theory, inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. Current model of the universe described and evidence for the "multiverse" discussed. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Sciences Engineering
AST 2123 Astrodynamics: Kepler & Beyond
Description: Intermediate Newtonian dynamics: description of motion under forces as functions of position, time, velocity. Motion in one and three dimensions, the Kepler problem, gravitation, and the restricted three-body problem. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Sciences Engineering
Prerequisites: MAT 1310 or MAT 1320 or MAT 1330 or MAT 1400 or MAT 1500
AST 2133 Observational Lab I
Description: Astronomical instruments, methods of observing, reduction of observations, and discussion of astronomical data. Observations include CCD imaging, spectroscopy, and photoelectric photometry using the observatory reflector and Schmidt telescopes. Two hours per week in the laboratory in addition to the observing time necessary to complete the assigned projects. Corerquisite or prerequisite: AST 2120. 2.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites:
AST 2134 Observational Lab II
Description: Continuation of AST 2122. 2.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites: Undergraduate level AST 2133 Minimum Grade of D-
AST 3141 Galactic Astronomy
Description: The nature, distribution, and motions of the constituents of the Galaxy; the major star system in which our Sun is located the stars, the gas and dust, star clusters, etc.; stellar distance determination, distribution of stars and gas, stellar kinematics, galactic dynamics, galactic radio emission, cosmic rays, and evolution of galaxies. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites: One year of mathematics or physics and AST 2120 and AST 2122.
AST 3142 Intro to Astrophysics
Description: Theories of stellar atmospheres, line-broadening and formation, radiative transfer, theoretical spectra, and the theory of stellar interiors are covered. Fundamental stellar timescales, thermonuclear reactions, evolutionary models, stellar pulsations, novae and supernovae. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites: Undergraduate level AST 2120 Minimum Grade of D- or Undergraduate level AST 2122 Minimum Grade of D- and Undergraduate level PHY 2410 Minimum Grade of D-
AST 3143 Astrobiology, Planets, & Life
Description: Are we alone? Does life exist elsewhere in the Universe? Focus on the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of life in the Solar System and beyond. Topics include: Planetary-Habitability, Exoplanets, Astro/Exobiology, Extremophiles, Techniques, and searches for Extraterrestrial-Intelligence. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 3162 High Energy Astrophysics Topics
Description: Classes of astronomical sources detected at ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths and the physical processes behind these emissions: stellar coronae and stellar flares, cataclysmic binaries, supernovae, accretion disks around neutron stars and black holes, X-ray bursters, active galactic nuclei, QSO's, BL Lac objects, and gamma-ray bursters. Prereq: One year of mathematics or university level physics, plus 2120. 3.00credit(s) 3.00 lecture hours
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites: Undergraduate level PHY 2410 Minimum Grade of D- and Undergraduate level PHY 2412 Minimum Grade of D- and Undergraduate level AST 2120 Minimum Grade of D-
AST 4121 Undergrad Research I
Description: Student participation in departmental or independent research under faculty supervision; frequent conferences on literature search, research techniques, experimental procedures and results. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: A&S Research Requirement, Writing Enriched Requirement
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
AST 4122 Undergrad Research II
Description: Continuation of AST 4121. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: A&S Research Requirement, Writing Intensive Requirement
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
METEOROLOGY SEQUENCE
MET 1221 Severe & Hazardous Weather
Description: This introductory meterorology course covers the fundamentals of meteorology with emphasis on severe and hazardous weather and effects of these on human life, environment and the economy. Severe storms that include tropical cyclones (hurricanes), extratropical cyclones, "Nor-easters", thunderstorms, lightning, tornados, and blizzards are featured. Floods, droughts, cold waves and heat waves are covered and their effects on health, agriculture and commerce are discussed. Also included are causes and effects of climate change with emphasis on the recent global warming trends over the last century. The consequences of global warming on the global economy will be stressed. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites:
MET 1222 Climate Change: Past & Present
Description: Earth's climate and climate changes. Past climates (Paleoclimatology), major Ice Ages over the last billion years, methods for reconstructing past climates, including radio isotopic techniques. Fossil, geological, sedimentary, flora and fauna and documentary records. Physical causes of climate changes, recent warming trends in global climate (both natural and anthropogenic), future global climate (short- and long- term) and climate models. Possible effects of global climate change on our environment and resulting economic and geopolitical consequences. 3.00credit(s)
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate
Prerequisites: MAT 1310 or MAT 1320 or MAT 1330 or MAT 1500 or MAT 1400
MENDEL SCIENCE EXPERIENCE COURSES
MSE 2100 AST: Birth and Death of Stars
Description: A study of the fundamental properties of the Sun and stars. The formation of stars, their energy generation, evolution, and death - leading to the formation of exotic new objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2151
MSE 2101 AST: Life in the Universe
Description: A study of the origin and evolution of life on Earth and the possibilities of life in the Solar System and among the stars. The conditions leading to planetary habitability and how life outside the Solar System might be detected. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2150
MSE 2102 AST: Planetary Skies/Landscapes
Description: A study of our own and other Solar Systems, including formation and evolution. The physical properties which shape planetary interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres. The Earth is studied in the context of the other planets, and its unique properties are examined. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2150
MSE 2103 AST: How Old is the Universe
Description: How we know the Universe is 13.7 billion years old? Includes evidence from the Solar System, the oldest stars seen in the Milky Way galaxy, and the observed expansion of the Universe itself. Evolution and fate of the Universe. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2151
MSE 2104 AST: Earth-Our Habitable World
Description: Explores the Earth as our home and as a laboratory for understanding the scientific method. The characteristics, dynamics, and evolution of the Earth. Leads to the discovery and understanding of the fundamental scientific principles at work on our home world. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2152
MSE 2105 AST: Earth-A Cosmic Connection
Description: Explores the Sun and the stars - our ultimate sources of energy and the chemical elements. Characteristics, dynamics, and evolution of the Sun and the stars. The discovery and understanding of the fundamental scientific principles at work throughout the universe. 3.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2153
MSE 2150 AST: Astronomy Lab - Planets
Description: 1-cr laboratory course focusing on planetary astronomy. To be taken as a co-requisite with MSE 2101 "Life in the Universe" or MSE 2102 "Planetary Skies and Landscapes". 1.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Prerequisites: MSE 2101 or MSE 2102
MSE 2151 AST: Astronomy Lab - Stars
Description: 1-cr laboratory course focusing on stellar and galactic astronomy. To be taken as a co-requisite with MSE 2100 "Birth and Death of Stars" or MSE 2103 "How Old is the Universe?". 1.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Prerequisites: MSE 2100 or MSE 2103
MSE 2152 AST: Planet Earth Lab I
Description: 1-cr laboratory course to be taken as a co-requisite with MSE 2104 "Earth: Our Habitable World". 1.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2104
MSE 2153 AST: Planet Earth Lab II
Description: 1-cr laboratory course to be taken as a co-requisite with MSE 2105 "Earth: The Cosmic Connection". 1.00credit(s)
Attributes: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Undergraduate Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Arts
Corequisites: MSE 2105