Astronomy
College of Letters and Science
Department Office: B 20 Hearst Field Annex, (510) 642-5275
Chair: Imke de Pater, PhD
Department Website: Astronomy
Overview
The Department of Astronomy offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in a wide variety of fields, including theoretical and observational astrophysics; infrared, optical, and radio astronomy; galactic structure and dynamics of stellar systems; high-energy astrophysics and cosmology; star and planet formation; and spectroscopy. A considerable amount of research and teaching related to astronomy is done in other units at UC Berkeley, including the Physics Department, Earth and Planetary Science, Space Science Laboratory, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Various professors in the Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, and Engineering departments have an active interest in astronomy and are available for consultation.
A variety of instruments is available to students and staff, including two 10-meter telescopes at the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea in Hawaii; 30-inch, 40-inch, and 120-inch telescopes at Lick Observatory; a 30-inch telescope at Leuschner Observatory (near the campus); and a 16-element millimeter-wave interferometer in Southern California. Laboratories are available for the development of radio, infrared, and optical instruments, and for the precise measurement of images and spectra. Numerical simulations play an increasing role in Astrophysics, and we have a variety of expertise and machines available for this.
The Major in Astrophysics
During the first two undergraduate years, students must, in addition to fulfilling certain specific requirements of the College of Letters and Science, pursue studies that will prepare them for future work in astronomy or in other careers that benefit from an education in a physical science, such as science teaching or technical positions in industry. Specifically, the department requires that during the first two years, and in any case before declaring the major, students take courses that provide a thorough understanding of the following:
- Basic principles of physics: mechanics, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, heat, wave motion, sound and light (Physics 7A, 7B, 7C).
- Basic mathematics: analytic geometry, differential and integral calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra (Math 1A-1B, followed by Math 53 and 54).
- An introduction to astrophysics (Astronomy 7A-7B) is recommended for the major but not required.
The last two years, leading to the BA degree in astrophysics, are spent in more intensive work, primarily in the fields of astronomy, physics, earth and planetary science, and mathematics. The specific plan of study to be followed by each student is to be worked out in consultation with the departmental advisers for the major, and must include 30 units of upper division work in astronomy and allied fields. For students who are double majors in astrophysics and another science, the upper division requirement is reduced to 24 units.
All students are required to take at least one semester of undergraduate laboratory (Astronomy 120 or 121) and two of the senior-level courses Astronomy 160, C161, C162. Many students pursuing a dual-major of Astrophysics and Physics will be most interested in 160 and C161. Double-majors in Astrophysics and Earth & Planetary Science will be most interested in 160 and C162. With the approval of the undergraduate faculty adviser, outstanding students may take a graduate course in Astronomy.
Honors Program
For honors in astrophysics a student must fulfill the following additional requirements: 1) maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in all courses in astronomy and related fields, and an overall grade-point average of at least 3.3 in the University; 2) carry out an individual research or study project, involving at least three units of H195. The student's project is chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser, and the written report is judged by the student's research supervisor and by a departmental adviser.
For more detailed information about the astrophysics major, please contact the undergraduate student academic adviser.
The Minor in Astrophysics
Petitioning for the Minor. Students may petition for the minor in Astrophysics only after they have completed all required courses for the minor in Astrophysics. Graduating seniors must petition no later than two weeks after the end of the term. To petition students must fill out a "Completion of L&S Minor" form available from the College of Letters and Science Advising Office in 206 Evans or from the L&S Advising website. Turn in to the Undergraduate Adviser: 1) the completed petition for the minor; and 2) a copy of transcripts (unofficial transcripts are OK) showing your completed astrophysics courses.
The Minor Requirements
The Astrophysics minor program conforms to the College of Letters and Science specifications and consists of the following coursework:
- Prerequisites: Physics 7A, 7B, 7C (or equivalent); Math 1A, 1B, 53, 54 (or equivalent). These courses must be taken for a letter grade. Physics 7A-7B-7C must each be passed with a letter grade of "C" or better. Students must achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the seven courses. Astrophysics 7A and 7B are recommended for the minor but not required.
- Course Requirements: The minor program consists of two courses: either Astronomy 120 or 121; or 160, C161, or C162; plus three additional upper division courses.
All upper division courses must be taken for a letter grade (thus Astronomy H195, 198 and 199 will not count toward the minor program). A minimum of three upper division courses must be completed at Berkeley. Only one upper-division class may overlap your major and the Astrophysics minor. An overall minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in upper division courses applied to the minor program.
For more information regarding the minor program, please contact the Astrophysics undergraduate academic adviser.
Graduate Programs
The graduate program is aimed at the PhD degree in astrophysics. Entering students need not have majored in astronomy, although some background in astronomy is desirable. A strong background in physics, however, is essential.
In addition to the qualifying examination required by the University, the department requires students to pass a preliminary examination which tests breadth and depth of knowledge of three specialized research areas chosen by the student from a list of about l0. Students choose, with the aid of their adviser, courses in the department which are useful in preparing for the preliminary and qualifying examinations. In addition, students must pass two graduate courses taken outside the department and must acquire one year's teaching experience. The program normally takes five to six years. Additional information on the program is available upon request from the department.
The requirements for the MA degree are 24 units in graduate or upper division undergraduate courses (12 of them in graduate courses) and the preliminary examination.
ASTRON 3 Introduction to Modern Cosmology 2 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 2 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
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.
Instructors: Bloom, Davis, Ma
ASTRON 7A Introduction to Astrophysics 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Physics 7A-7B (7B can be concurrent), or consent of the instructor.
This is the first part of an overview of astrophysics, with an emphasis on the way in which physics is applied to astronomy. This course deals with the solar system and stars, while 7B covers galaxies and cosmology. Solar system topics include orbital mechanics, geology of terrestrial planets, planetary atmospheres, and the formation of the solar system. The study of stars will treat determination of observations, properties and stellar structure, and evolution. The physics in this course includes mechanics and gravitation; kinetic theory of gases; properties of radiation and radiative energy transport; quantum mechanics of photons, atoms, and electrons; and magnetic fields.
Students will receive 2 units of credit for 7A after taking 10; 6 units of credit for both 7A-7B after taking 10. Instructors: Chiang, Marcy, Quataert
ASTRON 7B Introduction to Astrophysics 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Physics 7A-7B (7B can be concurrent) or consent of the instructor.
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 gravitation; kinetic theory of gases; properties of radiation and radiative energy transport; quantum mechanics of photons, atoms, and electrons; and magnetic fields) and adds the special and general theories of relativity.
Students will receive 2 units of credit for 7B after taking 10; 6 units of credit for both 7A-7B after taking 10. Instructors: Bloom, Chiang, Marcy, Quataert
ASTRON 10 Introduction to General Astronomy 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2.5 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
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.
Students will receive no credit for Astronomy 10 after taking Astronomy 7A or 7B, XAstronomy 10. Students can remove a deficient grade in XAstronomy 10 by taking Astronomy 10, Letter and Science C70U or Astronomy C10. Instructors: Basri, Blitz, Bloom, Davis
ASTRON C10/L & S C70U Introduction to General Astronomy 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Letters and Science
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2.5 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.
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.
Students will receive no credit for 10 after taking 7A or 7B. Instructor: Filippenko
ASTRON N10 Introduction to General Astronomy 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 6 hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks.
Prerequisites: High school algebra will be presumed but used sparingly.
The nature and evolution of the universe: history of astronomical knowledge; overall structure of the universe; galaxies, radio galaxies, peculiar galaxies, and quasars; structure and evolution of stars; exploding stars, pulsars, and black holes; exploration of the solar system; the search for extraterrestrial life.
Students will receive no credit for 10 after taking 7.
ASTRON C12/EPS C12/L & S C70T The Planets 3 Units
Department: Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Science; Letters and Science
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. 7.5 hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe.
ASTRON W12/EPS W12 The Planets 3 Units
Department: Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Science
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Summer
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 6 hours of Web-based lecture per week for 8 weeks. This is an online course.
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe. This course is web-based.
Instructors: Marcy, Militzer
ASTRON C13/INTEGBI C13 Origins: from the Big Bang to the Emergence of Humans 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Integrative Biology
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
This course will cover our modern scientific understanding of origins, from the Big Bang to the formation of planets like Earth, evolution by natural selection, the genetic basis of evolution, and the emergence of humans. These ideas are of great intrinsic scientific importance and also have far reaching implications for other aspects of people's lives (e.g., philosophical, religious, and political). A major theme will be the scientific method and how we know what we know.
Instructors: Marshall, Quataert
ASTRON 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 39 Seminar 1.5 Unit
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 2 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
A small-size undergraduate seminar exploring one astronomical topic in depth. Students are responsible for much of the presentation.
Instructors: Basri, Filippenko, Davis
ASTRON 84 Sophomore Seminar 1 or 2 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Hours and format: 1 hour of seminar per week per unit for 15 weeks. 1 and 1 half hours of seminar per week per unit for 10 weeks. 2 hours of seminar per week per unit for 8 weeks. 3 hours of seminar per week per unit for 5 weeks.
Prerequisites: At discretion of instructor.
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 to 4 hour of Directed group study per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Restricted to freshmen and sophomores; consent of instructor.
Topics will vary with instructor.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
ASTRON 99 Directed Study in Astronomy 1 - 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 to 3 hour of Independent study per week for 15 weeks. 2.5 to 7.5 hours of Independent study per week for 6 weeks.
Prerequisites: 7A-B, 10 and consent of instructor.
Supervised observational studies or directed reading for lower division students.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 120 Optical and Infrared Astronomy Laboratory 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Lecture and 4 hours of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 7A-7B; Mathematics 53, 54; Physics 7A-7B-7C (7C may be taken concurrently).
This course requires four to six experiments such as the following: accurate position and brightness measurements of stars; laboratory exploration of the characteristics of two-dimensional charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and infrared detectors; measurement of the distance, reddening, and age of a star cluster; measurement of the Stokes parameters and linear polarization of diffuse synchrotron and reflection nebulae; measurement of the period and pulse shape of the Crab pulsar using Fourier techniques. Professional telescopes will be used such as those at Leuschner Observatory and Lick Observatory. There is a emphasis on error analysis, software development in the IDL language, and high-quality written reports.
Students will receive no credit for 120 after taking 120A or 122. Formerly known as 120A. Instructors: Bower, Marcy
ASTRON 121 Radio Astronomy Laboratory 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 4 hours of Discussion and 1 hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 7A-7B; Mathematics 53, 54; Physics 7A-7B-7C; Physics 110B recommended.
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 distributions of the sun and moon with high angular resolution. There is a heavy emphasis on digital data acquisition, software development in the IDL language, and high-quality written reports.
Formerly known as 120B. Instructors: Bower, Heiles
ASTRON 160 Stellar Physics 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Senior standing in astronomy/physics or consent of instructor. Physics 112 (may be taken concurrently) and either Physics 110A-110B or Physics 137A-137B.
Topics covered include some, but not necessarily all, of the following. Observational constraints on the properties and evolution of stars. Theory of stellar structure and evolution. Stellar atmospheres and stellar spectroscopy. Stellar nucleosynthesis. Supernovae. Degeneracy of matter and structure of collapsed stars. Elements of gas dynamics, accretion onto compact objects, and x-ray sources. Dynamics and evolution of close binary systems. Stellar pulsation.
Formerly known as C160A and Physics C160A. Instructors: Filippenko, Quataert, Stahler
ASTRON C161/PHYSICS C161 Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Undergraduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 110A-110B; 112 (may be taken concurrently).
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.
Formerly known as C160B and Physics C160B. Instructors: Boggs, Davis, Holzapfel, A. Lee, Ma, Quataert
ASTRON C162/EPS C162 Planetary Astrophysics 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Science
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 53, 54; Physics 7A-7B-7C.
Physics of planetary systems, both solar and extra-solar. Star and planet formation, radioactive dating, small-body dynamics and interaction of radiation with matter, tides, planetary interiors, atmospheres, and magnetospheres. High-quality oral presentations may be required in addition to problem sets and a final exam.
Formerly known as C149. Instructors: Chiang, de Pater, Marcy
ASTRON H195 Special Study for Honors Candidates 2 - 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 2 to 4 hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.
Individual project of research or study.
ASTRON 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 to 4 hour of Directed group study per week for 15 weeks.
Topics will vary with instructor.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
ASTRON 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: Independent study.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
ASTRON 201 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Physics 105, 110A; 110B concurrently; open to advanced undergraduates with GPA of 3.70.
An introduction to the basic physics of astronomy and astrophysics at the graduate level. Principles of energy transfer by radiation. Elements of classical and quantum theory of photon emission; bremsstrahlung, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation. Compton scattering, atomic, molecular and nuclear electromagnetic transitions. Collisional excitation of atoms, molecules and nuclei.
Instructors: Chiang, Quataert
ASTRON C202/PHYSICS C202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Principles of gas dynamics, self-gravitating fluids, magnetohydrodynamics and elementary kinetic theory. Aspects of convection, fluid oscillations, linear instabilities, spiral density waves, shock waves, turbulence, accretion disks, stellar winds, and jets.
Instructors: Chiang, Kasen, Ma, Quataert, White
ASTRON 203 Astrophysical Techniques 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of lecture per week and frequent laboratory work plus observatory visits.
Prerequisites: 201 and 290A; 290B must be taken concurrently.
Introduction to the flow of astronomical signals through telescope optics and into detectors; subsequent calibration, deconvolution of instrumental artifacts, and analysis. A broad wavelength approach is maintained with focus on shared fundamental concepts. Students "adopt a wavelength band" for assignments and presentations. Analysis and simulation of astronomical signals, noise, and errors.
Instructors: Backer, Basri, Blitz, Graham, Marcy, Welch
ASTRON 204 Numerical Techniques in Astronomy 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 54.
Methods of data analysis, model fitting, and data display, all oriented towards the detailed analysis of astronomical observation data and/or numerical results from simulations. Specific topics include probability density functions, error propagation, maximum likelihood, least squares, data and function fitting, Fourier transforms, wavelets, principal components analysis, color images. The software language used is the Interactive Data Language (IDL).
Instructor: Heiles
ASTRON C207/PHYSICS C207 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Physics 105, 110A; 110B concurrently; open to advanced undergraduates with GPA of 3.70.
An introduction to the basic physics of astronomy and astrophysics at the graduate level. Principles of energy transfer by radiation. Elements of classical and quantum theory of photon emission; bremsstrahlung, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation. Compton scattering, atomic, molecular and nuclear electromagnetic transitions. Collisional excitation of atoms, molecules and nuclei.
Instructors: Bower, Chiang, Kasen, Quataert
ASTRON 216 Interstellar Matter 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 201.
A survey of the observational data and theoretical ideas on the interstellar medium, with emphasis on the inferred physical conditions.
Instructors: Blitz, Heiles, Glassgold, Graham
ASTRON 218 Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A basic course. Structure and kinematics of the galaxy; stellar population concepts; dynamics of stellar systems with and without encounters.
Instructors: Blitz, Davis, Graham
ASTRON C228/PHYSICS C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology 3 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A survey of physical cosmology - the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics include the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, thermal history and big bang nucleosynthesis, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and large scale structure, the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave radiation, inflation in the early universe, tests of cosmological models, and current research areas. The course complements the material of Astronomy 218.
Instructors: Davis, Holzapfel, Lee, Ma, Seljak, White
ASTRON C249/EPS C249 Solar System Astrophysics 3 Units
Department: Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Science
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 149, 169, C160A or consent of instructor.
The physical foundations of planetary sciences. Topics include planetary interiors and surfaces, planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres, and smaller bodies in our solar system. The physical processes at work are developed in some detail, and an evolutionary picture for our solar system, and each class of objects, is developed. Some discussion of other (potential) planetary systems is also included.
Instructors: Chiang, de Pater
ASTRON 250 Special Topics in Astrophysics 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Topics will vary from semester to semester. See department for announcements.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 252 Stellar Structure and Evolution 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Physics 110A-110B, 112, 137A-137B.
Equations of stellar structure, radiative transfer and convection, thermonuclear reactions and stellar energy generations; stellar models, degenerate configurations, evolutionary sequences, supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, nucleosynthesis.
Formerly known as C252 and Physics C252. Instructors: Filippenko, Marcy
ASTRON C254/PHYSICS C254 High Energy Astrophysics 3 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor. 202 recommended.
Basic physics of high energy radiation processes in an astrophysics environment. Cosmic ray production and propagation. Applications selected from pulsars, x-ray sources, supernovae, interstellar medium, extragalactic radio sources, quasars, and big-bang cosmologies.
Instructors: Boggs, Quataert
ASTRON 255 Computational Methods in Theoretical Astrophysics 3 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
A broad in-depth survey of state-of-the-art numerical approaches to astrophysical self-gravitational gas dynamics with application to large scale simulation of coupled non-linear astrophysical flows. Finite-difference approaches for Lagrangian and Eulerian astrophysical hydrodynamics and coupled radiation-hydrodynamics. N-body gravitation techniques including direct N-body, P-M, P3M, and hierarchical Tree. Particle gas dynamics methods such as smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH), adaptive SPH and unification of SPH, and gravity tree hierarchies (TREE-SPH). Advanced techniques such as higher order Godunov finite difference methods with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). Applications of these approaches in three broad areas: cosmology, high energy astrophysics, and star formation and the interstellar medium.
Instructor: Klein
ASTRON C285/PHYSICS C285 Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar 1 Unit
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
The study of theoretical astrophysics.
Instructor: Quataert
ASTRON 290A Introduction to Current Research 1 Unit
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Fall
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Survey of research currently being performed in the Department or the University.
Instructor: de Pater
ASTRON 290B Introduction to Current Research 1 Unit
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Term course may be offered: Spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Continuation of 290A. Study of a research topic with an individual staff member.
Instructor: de Pater
ASTRON C290C/PHYSICS C290C Cosmology 2 Units
Department: Astronomy; Physics
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 2 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Instructors: White, Cohn
ASTRON 292 Seminar 1 - 2 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 2 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.
In addition to the weekly colloquium, the Department offers seminars in advanced topics, several of which are announced at the beginning of each semester. A maximum of 5 units may be taken per semester with a limitation of 2 in any one section.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON C292/EPS C292 Planetary Science Seminar 1 Unit
Department: Astronomy; Earth and Planetary Science
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: Participants will be required to give at least 1 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature
The departments of Astronomy and Earth and Planetary Science offer a joint research seminar in advanced topics in planetary science, featuring speakers drawn from graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars. Topics will span planetary interiors; surface morphology; atmospheres; dynamics; planet formation; and astrobiology. Speakers will vary from semester to semester. Meetings will be held once a week for 1 hour each, and the schedule of speakers will be determined on the first day of class. To pass the class, participants will be required to give a 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature.
Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 298 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: Tutorial.
Tutorial for groups of two or three students.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 299 Advanced Study and Research 2 - 12 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 2 to 12 hours of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
ASTRON 301 Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction 1 - 2 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.
Hours and format: 1 hour of Lecture and 3 to 6 hours of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: An elementary astronomy course and consent of instructor.
Open to a limited number of highly qualified undergraduate students interested in astronomy teaching at the college level. Students will participate in a seminar on educational methods and engage in tutorial or laboratory teaching under supervision of a faculty member.
Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.
ASTRON 375 Instruction Techniques in General Astronomy 2 - 6 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 2 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Discussion and practice of teaching techniques as applied to astronomy. Open to graduate students who are presently teaching assistants or associates. Two units for course plus one section; three units for two discussion sections.
Formerly known as Astronomy 300.
ASTRON 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units
Department: Astronomy
Course level: Graduate examination preparation
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Hours and format: 1 to 8 hour of Independent study per week for 15 weeks.
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. (and other doctoral degrees). May not be used for unit or residence requirement for the doctoral degree.
Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
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