AST 1010 Discovering the Universe Cr. 1

This is a first-year astronomy laboratory course designed to introduce and explore the field of astronomy. We will discuss current hot topics throughout astronomy, and explore data from observatories including Wayne State’s robotic Zowada Observatory, as well as NASA missions. It is intended for astronomy majors and minors or those considering an astronomy major or minor. Offered Yearly.

AST 2010 Descriptive Astronomy Cr. 4

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Natural Scientific Inquiry, Physical Sciences

Lecture course that introduces the concepts and methods of modern astronomy, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology; recent discoveries about planets, moons, the sun, pulsars, quasars, and black holes. Meets General Education Laboratory requirement only when taken with Coreq: AST 2011. Offered Every Term.

AST 2011 Descriptive Astronomy Laboratory Cr. 1

Laboratory exercises and observations; includes two late evening viewing sessions. Satisfies General Education Laboratory requirement when taken concurrently with AST 2010. Offered Every Term.

Prerequisites: AST 2010 with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently), AST 5010 with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently), or PHY 5010 with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently)

Fees: $25

AST 2030 Life in the Universe Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Natural Scientific Inquiry, Quantitative Experience Comp

Are we alone in the Universe? In the last three decades astronomers have discovered thousands of planets around stars other than our own Sun. Which of those planets might have the right conditions to harbor life? In this course we will discuss the emerging field of astrobiology. We will explore the conditions needed for life, where in the Universe might have those conditions, and how scientists are searching for planets and signs of life elsewhere in the Universe. Offered Fall, Winter.

AST 4100 Astronomical Techniques Cr. 3

Techniques of modern astrophysics. Detectors used in astronomy for optical and infrared photons, radio and microwaves, X- and gamma rays, and neutrinos. Techniques in imaging, photometry, spectroscopy, astrometry, polarimetry, and for analyzing public data available on the web. Offered Fall.

Prerequisites: PHY 2180 with a minimum grade of C- and PHY 2181 with a minimum grade of C-

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

AST 4200 Astronomical Laboratory Cr. 2

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Writing Intensive Competency

Introduction to laboratory techniques of modern astrophysics. Optical astronomy, including measurement of the quantum efficiency of a CCD-based astronomical digital camera; measurement of the throughput as a function of wavelength of a set of standard astronomical filters; measurement of the HR diagram of a star cluster using the calibrated camera and filters. Offered Fall.

Prerequisites: AST 4100 with a minimum grade of D-

Fees: $25

AST 4300 Planetary Astronomy and Space Science Cr. 3

Formation and evolution of the solar system: planetary surfaces, interiors, atmospheres, and magnetospheres; asteroids, comets, planetary satellites, and ring systems. Emphasis on using basic physics to understand observed properties of the solar system. Offered Winter.

Prerequisites: PHY 2180 with a minimum grade of C- and PHY 2181 with a minimum grade of C-

AST 5010 Astrophysics and Stellar Astronomy Cr. 3

Electromagnetic radiation and matter; solar characteristics; stellar distances; magnitudes; spectral classification; celestial mechanics; binary stars; stellar motions, structure and evolution; compact and variable stars; Milky Way Galaxy and interstellar medium; galaxies and clusters of galaxies; quasars; Hubble's Law; cosmology. Offered Every Other Winter.

Prerequisites: (PHY 2140 with a minimum grade of C- or PHY 2180 with a minimum grade of C-) and MAT 2010-6XXX with a minimum grade of C-

Equivalent: PHY 5010

AST 5100 Galaxies and the Universe Cr. 3

Exploration of the world of galaxies, starting with the Milky Way and moving outward to larger scales. Basic properties of galaxies: galaxy classification, structure, evolution, observations of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), Quasar, and Seyfert galaxies. Discovery of dark matter and black holes. Cosmology: origins of the universe in a hot big bang; its expansion history including recent evidence that the cosmic expansion is accelerating; the cosmic microwave background, and the ultimate fate of the universe. Capstone course for astronomy majors. Offered Winter.

Prerequisites: PHY 3300 with a minimum grade of C-

AST 6080 Survey of Astrophysics Cr. 3

This course provides an introduction to high-energy astrophysics with a focus on X-ray astronomy. We will cover the physics of X-ray emission and absorption in an astrophysical context, as well as discussing observational techniques used to detect X-rays. Bright X-ray emitting objects are some of the most extreme in the universe, and we will discuss objects including neutron stars, black holes, cataclysmic variables, supernovae and supernovae remnants, and galaxy clusters. Offered Every Other Year.

Prerequisites: PHY 6080 with a minimum grade of C-

Equivalent: PHY 6080