200-Level Course Descriptions
A focused investigation of the possibility of life arising elsewhere
in our Galaxy, and the chances of our detecting it. In this course,
pairs of students will explore the astronomical and biochemical
requirements for the development of Earth-like life. We will consider
the conditions on other planets within our solar system as well as on
newly-discovered planets circling other stars. We will also analyze
the famous "Drake Equation," which attempts to calculate the expected
number of extraterrestrial civilizations, and attempt to evaluate its
components. Finally, we will examine current efforts to detect signals
from intelligent civilizations and contemplate humanity's reactions to
a positive detection.
A writing-intensive course.
General
- Tutorial sessions to be arranged.
- Evaluation will be based on tutorial
papers and participation.
- Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
- Prerequisites: Astronomy 111; or
Chemistry 151 (or 153 or 155) and 156; or Biology 101 and 102, or equivalent science
preparation. Enrollment limited to 10. Preference given to
students who have had Astronomy 111. Instructor's permission required.
This course will introduce techniques for obtaining and analyzing astronomical data. We will begin by learning about practical observation planning and move on to discussion of CCD detectors, signal statistics, digital data reduction, and image processing. We will make use of data we obtain with our 24-inch telescope, as well as data from other optical ground-based observatories and archives. We also learn about and work with data from space-based non-optical observatories such as the Chandra X-Ray Observatory the Spitzer Space Telescope (infrared).
Format: lecture/discussion plus computer work and observing. Evaluation will be based on weekly problem sets, and hour exam and an observing project.
Prerequisites: Math 105 or 106. Prior experience with Unix is helpful, but not required.
Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 6).
The past decade has seen the birth of "precision cosmology," based on
combined results from Hubble Space Telescope key projects, cosmic
microwave background satellites and ground-based surveys. According to
the derived "concordance model" the universe is 13.7 billion years old
and is currently expanding at a rate of 72 km/sec/megaparsec. The
model also describes a flat, accelerating big-bang universe that
underwent very early inflation and is now dominated by dark energy and
cold dark matter. In this course students will explore the
observations and interpretations that have led to our current
understanding of the universe's history and structure. Topics will
include galaxy structure and evolution, the cosmic microwave
background (e.g., Cosmic Background Observer and Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe) distant supernova searches (e.g., High-Z Supernova
Team and Supernova Cosmology Project), galaxy surveys (e.g., Sloan
Digital Sky Survey and 2dF (two-degree field)) as well as theoretical
and supercomputing efforts. Students will read portions of current
texts as well as some more detailed research papers.
A writing-intensive course.
General
- Format: tutorial.
- Evaluation will be based on five 5-page
papers; presentation, response and discussion in the
tutorial session; and evidence of growth in understanding over the
semester.
- Prerequisites: Astronomy 111 and
Physics 142/151.
Enrollment limit: 10
(expected: 6). Preference given to Astrophysics/Astronomy majors.
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