Course Descriptions

The Astronomy Department offers a set of graduate courses. Most topical courses are taught on a two year cycle. The two core introductory courses, Astronomy 700 and 702, are taught yearly.

Astronomy 500: Techniques of Modern Observational Astrophysics

An introduction to astrophysics data collection. Students will be familiarized with the concepts, techniques, skills and resources needed to plan, obtain, reduce and interpret observations of astronomical objects. Pre-requisites: Graduate student or Astron 310 & instructor consent.

Astronomy 510: Radio Astronomy Lab

An introduction to the techniques of modern observational radio astronomy. The course covers fundamentals of radio astronomy, modern radio instrumentation, and observing techniques, through a mixture of classroom lectures, discussions, and hands-on observational projects with a small radio telescope. Pre-requisites: Graduate student or instructor consent.

Astronomy 700: Basic Astrophysics I - Radiation

Part one of a two-semester overview over the physics of astrophysics. Topics covered: Basic radiation theory, radiative transport, electrodynamics of radiation, fundamental radiation mechanisms in astrophysics, atomic and molecular quantum mechanics, emission from space plasmas and plasma diagnostics, basic statistical mechanics. Pre-requisites: Graduate student.

Astronomy 702: Basic Astrophysics II - Dynamics

Part two of a two-semester overview over the physics of astrophysics. Topics covered: Basic particle and fluid dynamics of stellar and gaseous systems in astrophysics. Review of gravitational dynamics, 2-body relaxation, phase space, basic equations of fluid dynamics, waves, shocks, winds accretion, instabilities. Pre-requisites: Graduate student.