Our Graduate students are expected to have a thorough understanding of the field of Astronomy and the techniques used to explore the mysteries of our universe. The following courses are intensive studies within the different areas of Astronomy and are meant for more advanced students. Undergraduates who wish to take a graduate course may contact the professor teaching the course to see if it is an appropriate fit.
Graduate Courses
AST-A 505 Principles and Techniques of Observational Astronomy (3 cr.)
Principles and techniques of astronomical data acquisition and reduction. Practical experience in photometry, spectroscopy, and astronomical applications of electronic detectors.
AST-A 515 Exoplanets and Orbital Dynamics (3 cr.)
Quantitative review of current theoretical models and observational constraints on the formation and evolution of solar and exoplanetary systems. In-depth introduction to basic dynamical laws and theories that can be actively applied to a wide range of astrophysical fields.
AST-A 520 The Interstellar Medium (3 cr.)
Structure and dynamics of the interstellar medium; review of observations and theory of interstellar gas, dust, and radiation.
AST-A 530 Galactic Astronomy (3 cr.)
Structure and stellar populations of the Milky Way and Local Group.
AST-A 540 Stellar Atmospheres (3 cr.)
Structure of atmospheres and formation of spectra.
AST-A 550 Stellar Interiors (3 cr.)
Physical properties of stellar material; structure and evolution of stars. Students enrolled in this course must have completed mathematics courses through differential equations.
AST-A 570 Galactic Dynamics (3 cr.)
Principles of stellar dynamics. Analytic and computer methods. Applications to the Galaxy and its star clusters.
AST-A 575 Structure and Evolution of Galaxies (3 cr.)
Structure and evolution of galaxies, large-scale clustering of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and quasars.
AST-A 580 Physical and Observational Cosmology (3 cr.)
Observational basis for current cosmological theory. Early universe evolution, cosmic microwave background radiation, formation of cosmic structure.
AST-A 590 Graduate Reading Course (credit hours arranged)
Independent reading in astronomy and astrophysics.
AST-A 770 Seminar in Astrophysics (credit hrs. arranged; may be repeated; S/F grading)
Selected topics of current research interest in astrophysics; includes topics such as stellar atmospheres, stellar evolution, interstellar matter, solar physics, planetary physics, radio astrophysics, high-energy astrophysics, and plasma physics.
AST-A 780 Seminar in Astronomy (credit hrs. arranged; may be repeated; S/F grading)
Selected topics of current research interest in astronomy; includes such topics as spectroscopy, photometry, instrumentation, radio astronomy, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and cosmology.
AST-A 890 Introduction to Research (credit hours are arranged)
Literature and methods of astronomical research.
AST-A 899 Research (credit hours are arranged)
Observational and theoretical investigations of current problems.
AST-G 901 Advanced Research (6 credit hours)
Advanced research.
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