Time Schedule:
Ana M. Larson
ASTR 301
Seattle Campus
Introduction to astronomy for students in the physical sciences or engineering. Topics similar to 101, but the approach uses more mathematics and physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 123.
Class description
"Introduction to astronomy for students in the physical sciences or engineering. Topics similar to 101, but the approach uses more mathematics and physics." More specifically, we will learn about: a) the night sky and how to observe it; b) the overall properties of ordinary stars, what their light tells us, how telescopes and spectrographs are used to gather that information; c) stellar evolution, stellar middle age, old age, death, the stellar neighborhoods; d) the Milky Way, its gas and dust, its formation of stars, and its place in the Universe as a galaxy; e) the universe at large, the normal galaxies within it, the galactic neighborhoods, large-scale structure, and the expansion of space. This course will involve considerable computer work and the writing of a scientific paper as we analyze and "publish" data from our observations of the night sky using the telescopes and equipment in the A-Wing Observatory on campus.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures, discussion, exercises, homework, observing, writing, reviewing
Recommended preparation
A strong desire to learn about our universe.
Class assignments and grading
Exercises, homework, participation, scientific paper
