Click here for Spring 2013 Astronomy course offerings. Below is more information on the content of all astronomy courses, some of which may not be offered every year. Links are provided for syllabi or course websites for recently offered courses. Course outlines are given for most courses and are a general description of the material covered in the course and how the course is organized. For a complete course description refer to the course catalog portion of the General Announcements or Click Here
Introduction to concepts and methods important in astronomy and astrophysics. The theme may vary from semester to semester.For Spring 2013 the course theme is "Astrobiology - Life in theUniverse."The theme for Fall 2012 will focus on how the ages, distances andsizes of cosmic objects (the universe and the objects in it, includingEarth) are established.
Spring 2013 Syllabus
ASTR 100 Course Outline
An introductory course for students in academic programs. Theformation, evolution, and death of stars; the composition and evolutionof galaxies; the structure and evolution of the universe.
ASTR 201 Course Outline
The physical processes governing the nature and behavior of thevarious Solar System bodies are discussed with a focus on the origins,evolution and fate of the Solar System and its parts.
ASTR 202 Course Outline
Use of small telescopes and binoculars to study constellations,bright stars, planets and the sun at the campus observatory and atdark-sky sites.
Fall 2012 Syllabus
Fall 2012 Course Website
ASTR 221 Course Outline
A hands-on introduction to modern techniques of observationalastronomy. Students use telescopes, CCDs, and computers to obtain andanalyze their own images of solar system, galactic, and extragalacticobjects.
ASTR 230 Course Outline
An introduction to astrophysical processes with a focus on theSun-Earth interaction. Topics include the solar wind, sun spots,flares, and the Earth's diverse responses: magnetospheric storms,atmospheric expansion, and climate effects.
ASTR 243 Course Outline
An introduction to celestial mechanics, radiative transfer, stellarstructure, and stellar remnants (including black holes and neutronstars). Aspects of planetary science and solar system formation mayalso be explored.
ASTR 350 Course Outline
Morphology, kinematics, and dynamics of the Milky Way and externalgalaxies, including interstellar matter and evidence for dark matter.
Spring 2013 Course Website
ASTR 360 Course Outline
Seminar on current research topics in astronomy, astrophysics, and space physics for Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students.
ASTR 400/500 Course Outline
Overview of the Earth and the solar system, their structure,evolution, and dynamics. Fundamentals of Earth and Space Science topicsas taught in 6th grade.This course is designed for science and mathteachers (grades 6-12).
Fall 2011 Course Website
Learn how to teach astronomy concepts as specified by the state ofTexas. Methods to help students master content, including labactivities suitable for K-9 classrooms and as field trips.
Methods and facilities of observational astronomy for publiceducation. Students will help train beginners in the use of telescopesand carry out a modest observational program.
Spring 2012 Course Website
Study of instruments and methods used in space physics and astronomy.
ASTR 450 Course Outline
Physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres; solar phenomena. Concepts of stellar evolution.
ASTR 451 Course Outline
The physics of interstellar matter; structure of the Milky Way andother normal galaxies; physical cosmology and high-red shift phenomena.
ASTR 452/552 Course Outline
The Sun, solar-terrestrial relationships, solar wind; planetary atmospheres, ionospheres and magnetospheres.
ASTR 470 Course Outline
The physics of emission nebulae, including radiative transfer, photoionization and thermal equilibria, and internal gaseous dynamics.Physical processes in the interstellar medium.
Fall 2010 Course Website
ASTR 542 Course Outline
Analysis of physical processes at work in the sun, such ashelioseismology, solar variability, solar activity, magneticreconnection, heliosphere interactions and modern observationaltechniques.
ASTR 554 Course Outline
Physics of star and planet information, including molecular clouddynamics and chemistry, circumstellar accretion disks, jets, dust,debris disks, atmospheres rotation, and magnetic fields of young stars,binaries, brown dwarfs, comets, Kuiper belt objects, giant planetformation and discoveries of extra solar planets.
Spring 2010 Course Website
ASTR 555 Course Outline
Selected topics involving white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holesand their environments, e.g., pulsars, supernova remnants, andaccretion disks.
ASTR 565 Course Outline
Lecture/seminars which treat topics of departmental interest. Not offered every year.