Below are the undergraduate astronomy courses offered that have an AST prerequisite. In addition, various reading, research and practicum in teaching courses are offered on an ``as required'' basis.

AST 301 and AST304 alternate in Fall semesters. AST 341, 346, 443, and 347 cycle every two years.

AST301 - Collisions in the Solar System: A discussion of the evidence that comet and asteroid impacts have played a significant part in the evolution of the Earth and other planets of the solar system, as well as an assessment of the actual and perceived hazard posed by terrestrial impacts and discussion of what can be done about it. The course will follow an interdisciplinary approach. Prerequisites include any two of AST101, 105 or 248 and the first semester of any of the PHY sequences that require calculus. It may not be counted for credit toward the astronomy major. (Typical text: Chapman and Morrison, ``Cosmic Catastrophes''. Satisfies DEC-H).

Astronomers have in recent years begun to appreciate the significance of meteoroid, asteroid and comet impacts with planets in shaping the evolution of the solar system. Such impacts have probably also played an important role in the evolution of life on the Earth. This course explores the role that impacts have played, assesses the hazard that such impacts pose and considers what might be done about the hazard. Topics include an overview of the solar system, meteoroids, asteroids and comets, the terrestrial impact sites, extinction of the dinosaurs, evidence of periodic mass extinctions, assessment of the risk, and risk reduction and mitigation.

AST304 - the Universe: A discussion of the origin and ultimate fate of the universe, designed for non-science majors with some background in math, physics, and astronomy. Topics include the Big Bang; formation of galaxies; the formation, evolution, and deaths of stars; black holes and neutron stars; how the universe ends. The level is more rigorous than that of AST 101, but not as detailed as the AST 34x sequence. Prerequisites are a lower division astronomy course and first semester physics and calculus. AST304 may not be taken for major credit, but is appropriate for the AST minor.

AST341 - Stars and Radiation: An introduction to, and development of, a firm physical understanding of the observed properties of stars. Particular emphasis will be placed on describing the interaction of radiation with matter and of the Sun as a typical star. Prerequisites include AST203 and PHY251. PHY306 is recommended. (Typical text: Bohm-Vitense, ``Introduction to Stellar Atmospheres'', vols 2 & 3, Kitchin, ``Optical Astronomical Spectroscopy'').

Course Outline:

Radiative Transfer and Emission Mechanisms
Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy
Observational Properties of Stars
Stellar Structure and Energy Sources
Star Formation and Evolution
White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes
The Sun
Solar and Stellar Activity and Magnetic Fields

AST346 - Galaxies: An introduction to the properties and contents of galaxies. Topics include the interstellar medium, dust in galaxies, star formation, galactic dynamics, and the equilibria of collisionless systems. The vast and rapidly developing observational information is presented from a physical point of view. The theoretical discussion emphasizes well-established concepts and avoids more speculative scenarios. Both our own Milky Way Galaxy and external galaxies are covered, and a special chapter is devoted to active galactic nuclei and quasars, the probable sites of massive black holes. Prerequisites are AST203 and PHY251. (Typical text: Shu, ``The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy'').

Course Outline:

The Galaxy: light distribution (disk, spheroid & halo), open & globular clusters, stellar populations & ages, rotation curve and Oort constants, local standard of rest, velocity ellipsoid, asymmetric drift.
Other Galaxies: morphological classification, light distribution, mass distribution, luminosity function, distance indicators, radio sources, X-ray sources, active galactic nuclei, background radiations due to galaxies.
Clusters of Galaxies: the Local Group & other loose groups, densities & velocities of galaxies in clusters, X-rays from intracluster gas, lenses & arcs.
Galactic potentials: spherical potentials, disks, the Galaxy, numerical methods.
Orbits of Stars: spherical potentials, constants & integrals of the motion, axisymmetric potentials, epicycles & the velocity ellipsoid, nonaxisymmetric potentials, rotating potentials, Jacobi integral, Lindblad resonances.
Equilibrium of Collisionless Systems: relaxation time, Jeans equations, virial equations, Jeans theorem.
Collisions & Mergers: dynamical friction, high speed encounters, tidal radii, mergers, epicycle energies of stars.
Phases of the ISM: heating amd cooling mechanisms.

AST347 - Cosmology: This course provides an introduction to physical cosmology. Observational topics include the Big Bang, Hubble expansion, extragalactic distance scale, cosmic microwave background radiation, light element abundances, formation of galaxies, quasar absorption lines, and the intergalactic medium. Theoretical topics include the Friedmann equation, gravitational instability, comparison of large-scale structures and velocities, cosmic virial theorem, basics of general relativity, Robertson-Walker metric, thermal history of the Universe, light element nucleosynthesis, matter-radiation coupling, recombination, and small-scale anisotropy of the microwave background radiation. Prerequisites are AST203 and PHY251. (Typical text: Shu, ``The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy'').

AST443 - Observational Techniques in Optical Astronomy: An introduction to modern astronomical instrumentation and data handling and to the use of telescopes. Emphasis on techniques and equipment appropriate for wavelengths shorter than ten microns. Extensive laboratory and observing exercises are required. Prerequisite is AST203. (Typical text: Kitchin, ``Astrophysical Techniques'').

Current AST 443 web site

Course Outline:

Fundamentals: Spherical Trig, Coordinates, Time
Optics and Detectors
CCDs
Data Analysis, Noise and Statistics
Hubble Space Telescope
Astronomical Resources, Archival Data
Photometry
Imaging
Spectroscopy
X-rays, EUV
Gamma Rays
IR Techniques
Data Analysis Systems, Astronomical Software