Michigan Astronomy

Undergraduate AcademicsUndergraduate Academics

Course Descriptions

Our undergraduate astronomy courses are described on this page. The LSA course catalog is online at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/cg/ You can check for open sections using wolverineaccess at http://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/

U-M Astronomy Undergraduate Course Listing

INTRODUCTORY COURSES AND COURSES FOR NON-CONCENTRATORS:
Note: The content and emphasis of these courses may differ from term to term and from one instructor to another. Prospective students are urged to take the links found in the LSA Course Guide or contact the faculty listed there to specific sections in order to get the most accurate and up to date descriptions of the courses.

Times, location, and availability can be checked through Wolverine Access Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to midnight; Saturday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; and Sunday noon to midnight

101. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System and the Search for Life Beyond Earth

No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 111 or 115. 4 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System and the Search for Life Beyond Earth --- Intended for non-science concentrators with a basic high school math and science background, this course introduces astronomy and astrophysics with an emphasis on discoveries from space exploration. First, it deals with understanding the history of astronomy, orbits, gravitation, optics and the properties of light and matter. Second, it investigates the properties, origin, and evolution of the major planets, asteroids, comets, and Sun and other components of the Solar System with particular emphasis on comparative aspects with respect to the Earth. Third, it explores the developing field of Astrobiology (the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe) highlighting recent discoveries of extra-solar planets and the intensifying search for life on mars.

Some evening observing is required. View the activities on the online labs page.

102. Introductory Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe.

No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 120, or 160. 4 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

Students discover the nature of stars, black holes, luminous nebulae, supernovae, galaxies, and what is ultimately in store for the universe in this concept-focused course. Explore the roles of light, energy, and gravity in astronomy. There are three weekly lectures, a discussion period, and observational activities.

Some evening observation is required. View the activities on the online labs page.

104. Alien Skies: A Tour Through the Universe

3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

Alien Skies: A Tour Through the Universe --- "Travel" to different locations in the Universe to view it form different perspectives. The skies, sights, and properties of these destinations serve as springboards to understanding the nature of the Universe and its astounding diversity.

105. The Cosmos Through the Constellations

3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

Tour the constellations visible this season, and explore topics in both basic and frontier astronomy by examining notable astronomical phenomena associated with these star patterns. This course also relates mythology linked to the origin of the constellations and discusses celestial cartography.

106. Aliens

Minicourse: meets for 1 hour all semester;
1 credit; NS, BS

This mini-course discusses the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life. It focuses on scientific hurdles that lie within our understanding about the number of potential environments suitable for life in the Galaxy, the development of life, its evolution, and the technical challenges of interstellar travel and communication.

Grading basis: 3 homework assignments (60%); 3 online quizzes (30%); in-class questions (5%, through the use of electronic response devices); and attendance (5%)

115. Introductory Astrobiology: The Search for Life in the Universe

No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in ASTRO 101 or 111. 3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

This course covers one of the most exciting areas of modern astronomy: understanding our own origins and the search for life elsewhere. First, we survey our understanding of life's origin on the Earth. Second, we apply this knowledge by exploring our own solar system and asking what planets or moons could potentially harbor life. Third, we move beyond our star system to outline the search for other planets in the Galaxy, speculate on the existence of life in the Universe, and consider the possibility of start travel sometime in the future.

127. Naked Eye Astronomy

Minicourse: meets 2 hours per week for half the semester. No credit for those who have completed or are enrolled in 188 or 105. 1 credit; NS, BS

Students learn about the nature of the most common astronomical objects that can be observed by eye, such as the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, comets, and meteors. The motion of these objects in the sky is studied along with their influence on the Earth. WL cap: 25

142. From the Big Bang to the Milky Way

No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 112. 3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

This introductory course follows the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang to the development of galaxies such as the Milky Way, with an emphasis on our current understanding of its make up (regular matter, dark matter and dark energy), and how the planets, stars, galaxies and clusters formed.

This course is intended for non-science concentrators with an interest in cosmology, with a basic math and science background. Course grades will be derived from exams, homework, and in-class activities.

183 / AOSS 101. Rocket Science

3 credits; NS, BS

An introduction to the science of the space and space exploration. Topics covered include history of space flight, rockets, orbits, the space environment, satellites, remote sensing, and the future human presence in space. The mathematics will be at the level of algebra and trigonometry.

201. Introduction to Astrophysics.

Math. 115, prior or current enrollment in Phys. 140, or high school calculus and physics are strongly recommended. 4 credits; NS, BS, QR/1

Introduction to Astrophysics --- Discover the extraordinary nature of astronomy, e.g. stars, black holes, galaxies, dark matter, and the universe. This course uncovers the astrophysics behind the most important and common astronomical phenomena in our universe. A major topic is stars and their lives, which can end violently through supernova explosions, leaving behind black holes or neutron stars. This is followed by the study of the Milky Way and its content, other galaxies, and how unseen "dark" matter shapes the universe we see today. We conclude with the origin of the universe and the limitations of looking back in time.

There will be a midterm, final, homework, and lab assignments. Course includes a nighttime lab, which will provide practical experience in observational techniques, including use of our telescopes.

204 / Earth 204 / AOSS 204 The Planets: Their Geology and Climates

High school mathematics through plane geometry and trigonometry. Those with credit for GEOSCI 113 may only elect GEOSCI/ASTRO 204 for 2 credits. 3 credits; NS

 

205. Exploring the X-Ray Universe

Math 115; any 100 level astronomy or 200 level physics course. 3 credits; NS, BS, QR/1

Since the 1970s X-ray telescopes have revealed a high-energy Universe from solar flares, through black holes and supernovae, to active galaxies and clusters. This course introduces the history, observational techniques, and underlying physics of X-ray emission and propagation, exploring the stellar, galactic and cosmic sites probed by this radiation.

210. The Universe Through the Eyes of Magellan

ASTRO 101/111, 102/112, 160, or any 300 or 400 level ASTRO course. 3 credits; NS QR/2

The University of Michigan is a major partner of the Magellan Observatory which consists of two 6.5 meter diameter telescopes located at the Las Campanas Observatory in Northern Chile. These instruments offer a unique and powerful tool with which UM Astronomers can study the Universe. This course provides a detailed look at Magellan and the science being carried with this observatory by UM researchers.

220. New Discoveries in Astronomy

Any 100 level astronomy class, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits, may repeat for up to 9 credits; NS, BS, QR/2

Discuss the latest discoveries in Astronomy with leading scientists from around the nation. In this course, the Astronomy Department's weekly professional visitors will also make simplified in-class presentations on their research. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the techniques, significance, and scientific context with both the visitor and the instructor.

261 / NAVSCI 301. Navigation.

3 Credits; BS

The purpose of this course is to educate students in all aspects of marine navigation, from getting a vessel underway from port through open ocean navigation using both celestial and electronic means. The content of the course is divided into three major areas. The first section focuses on piloting, emphasizing the safe navigation of vessels in coastal waters. This section provides an introduction to navigational instruments and aids to navigation. The second section concerns celestial navigation, the ability to determine position through observation of celestial bodies. Students learn how to determine position based on the use of the sextant and various almanacs and mathematical tables. The third section of the course considers electronic navigation.

300 / HIST 300. History of Cosmology

3 Credits; ID

The Beginning and The End: A History of Cosmology --- This course discusses the development of modern cosmology, both observational and theoretical, since the late eighteenth century.

301 / HIST 301. Discovery of the Universe

3 Credits; ID

This course covers the growth of our knowledge of the history, present structure, and future of the universe as men and women astronomers, physicists, and mathematicians have uncovered it in the last four or five generations. Your great-grandparents lived in a small, cozy, well-ordered universe, with pleasant neighbors, wistful vistas, and the certainty that they were in the cockpit of history. We live in an immense, active, explosive universe, and we are not even sure that ours is the only one. In this course we shall traverse the path of discovery together.

305. Astronomy in the Community

3 credit os astronomy and Permission of instructor. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for credit.

In this experiential course, students gain experience in education and public outreach by participating in, and organizing, activities such as astronomy open houses, telescope viewing, planetarium shows, Astronomy tutoring, and peer coaching. By working with the Astronomy Department faculty and staff on these activities, students expand their own understanding of astronomy and develop skills to communicate scientific principles and discoveries to the general public. Students should complete at least 3 credits of astronomy before this class.

361. Astronomical Techniques

Ast 160 or Permission of Instructor. 4 credits; BS

Topics include astronomical instrumentation, techniques for obtaining observational data, and the reduction and analysis of observations. Emphasis is placed upon obtaining and analyzing data in such fields as astrometry, radio astronomy, interferometry and spectroscopy. Two lectures and two hours of laboratory or observing weekly.

389. Independent Studies in Astronomy.

Permission of instructor. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for credit.

Individual reading and study in astronomy under the guidance of the instructor.

399. Introduction to Astronomical Research.

Permission of instructor. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for credit. Continuing Course. Y grade can be reported at end of the first-term to indicate work in progress. At the end of the second term, the final grade is posted for both term's elections.

In this one-on-one seminar, the student will work with a faculty member on an on-going research project and gain direct experience in astrophysical research. The depth and breath of the project largely rests with the student, and several such projects have been written up and published in professional astrophysical journals.

402. Stellar Astrophysics.

Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 340; or permission of instructor. 3 credits;

This course examines the appearance, structure, and evolution of stars. We examine the basic physical processes that cause stars to have their observed structures; a study of the energy generation through nucleosynthesis; the basic physical laws that lead to the structure of stars; the transfer of radiation through the outer parts of the star; how spectroscopic information informs us as to the composition and motion of stars; and an in-depth look at the late stages of stellar evolution and stellar death.

403. Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium.

Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 340 (or 260) and 390; or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

The interstellar medium (the gas between stars) comprises a wide variety of material that interacts closely, and often violently, with individual stars and the host galaxy. The underlying atomic and molecular physics is developed; we examine how gas is ionized by hot stars and supernova remnants; we analyze the content of the cold pervasive atomic and molecular gas in the galaxy, how it often lies in spiral arms, and why giant molecular clouds are the most active sites of star formation. Recent discoveries are highlighted.

404. Galaxies and the Universe.

Prerequisites: Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 340 and 390; or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

For the advanced undergraduate with some background in physics and math, this course examines the properties of galaxies, large-scale structure in the universe, and cosmological models. The basic aspects of galaxies are explained and issues considered include orbit theory, spiral arms, the missing mass in galaxies, galaxy evolution and the starburst phenomenon. The course examines the clustering of galaxies, the hot intracluster medium and the dynamical evolution of clusters. Several of the leading topics in cosmology complete the course, with discussions of the expansion of the universe, the cosmic microwave background, the inflationary universe, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and the origin and growth of structure in the universe.

405. High Energy Astrophysics

Prerequisites: Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 340 and 390; or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

Astronomical phenomena are often violent, naturally producing energetic particles under exotic circumstances. This course examines the underlying astrophysics of such objects. We begin with high energy radiation processes and basic fluid mechanics. This physics is applied to accretion onto black holes and other compact objects and the astronomical phenomena that result. We will also study supernovae, the origin of X-ray and Gamma-ray background radiation fields, Gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic rays.

406. Computational Astrophysics.

Prerequisites: Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 240, and some knowledge of programming; or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

Computational Astrophysics develops a practical working knowledge of the most widely used numerical methods in astrophysics. The theory underlying the methods is one important aspect of the course, but theory is put into practice by development and use of numerical routines (some already written) in the personal computer or workstation environment. With an emphasis on astrophysical issues, we first cover some of the most common scientific numerical methods, such as interpolation, curve fitting, root finding, quadrature, numerical integration of differential equations, and matrix solutions to sets of linear equations. Fourier methods are widely used throughout astrophysics, and both the basic theory and the most useful applications are presented. The last major topic is the numerical statistical analysis, with particular emphasis on the peculiarities and pitfalls associated with real astronomical data.

429. Senior Seminar

Open only to senior concentrators. Prerequisites: 402, and 404, or permission of department. 2 credits.

Student-faculty discussion of selected problems in two or three currently active areas. This is also the Astronomy Department's senior writing course. Attendance at weekly department colloquia is required. For other course and student business information, go to Wolverine Access.