The astronomy program offers a number of courses with no AST prerequisites but with varying PHY and MAT requirements. They are listed below with comparisons and comments on overlap. Note that AST203 is a requirement for both the major and minor and that AST101 cannot be taken for credit as well.

AST100 -Astronomy Today: This is a 1 credit freshman seminar designed to introduce anyone to the excitement of modern astronomy. We will draw our sources from the recent news, with emphasis on explaining why the results reported in Newday or the New York Times are important. Students will be expected to write a paper and participate in discussions. This course is not appropriate for anyone who has taken a college-level astronomy course.

AST101 - Introduction to Astronomy: This course emphasizes that part of astronomy beyond the solar system, including stars, our Galaxy, galaxies and the origin and structure of the universe. It requires no University level prerequisites, but will use some quantitative reasoning (at the high school algebra level). There is strong overlap in topics between this course and AST203 and both may not be taken for credit. If you are taking or have taken introductory Physics with Calculus, then we recommend taking AST203. AST101 is taught every semester. (Typical text: Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit, "The Cosmic Perspective". Satisfies DEC-E).

AST105 - Introduction to the Solar System: This course focuses almost exclusively on the solar system and in particularly the planets and smaller bodies and is a complement to AST101. It is taught at an even more qualitative level, requiring no science background (high school chemistry would be useful, though) nor mathematics besides simple proportions and powers. There is some overlap with material introduced in AST248, but not so extensively as to exclude taking both. The course is taught every semester. (Typical text: Morrison and Owen, ``The Planetary System''. Satisfies DEC-E).

AST112 - Astronomy Laboratory: A 1-credit course coordinated with AST101, AST105 or AST248, one of which must be taken as a prerequisite or corequisite. An introduction to observational activities in astronomy. Students will make simple astronomical measurements using instruments such as a quadrant, cross-staff, spectrometer and telescope. Offered every semester. (Typical text: Robbins, Jefferys, and Shawl, ``Discovering Astronomy Activities Manual and Instrument Kit'').

AST200 - Current Astronomical Research at Stony Brook: This is a 1 credit seminar designed to introduce physical science majors to the research opportunities available in astronomy at Stony Brook. Each week a different researcher will describe his/her research, and discuss how undergraduates can participate. This course is intended for majors who plan to do research, but is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy.

AST203 - Astronomy: This is an introduction to astronomy for students with some physics and calculus preparation. It touches on some solar system topics but emphasizes stellar and galactic astronomy and cosmology. The overlap of topics with AST101 is sufficient that credit cannot be obtained for both courses. AST203 is taught Spring terms only and has a mandatory recitation section. (Typical text: Kartunnen et al., ``Fundamental Astronomy''. Satisfies DEC-E).

AST205 - Introduction to Planetary Sciences: This is an introduction to the solar system for the student with a background in mathematics or physical sciences. A survey of the planets, comets, asteroids, and interplanetary medium, based upon the latest scientific discoveries. There is considerable overlap of content with AST105; both cannot be taken for credit. AST 205 is taught alternate Fall semesters. (Typical text: Hartmann, ``Moons and Planets''). Satisfies DEC-E. Required for the AST minor; provides major credit.

AST248 - The Search for Life in the Universe: This course looks at the issues involved in the development of life on the Earth. Coupled with our understanding of planet formation processes and the evolution of stars and galaxies, the course addresses the question: Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? As such, the course draws on some material presented in AST101 and AST105 as well as aspects of Geosciences and Developmental Biology. While there is overlap with the two 100 level Astronomy courses, it is not so extensive as to prevent a student from taking one or the other prior to AST248. The course is taught every semester. (Typical text: Goldsmith and Owen, ``Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe''. Satisfies DEC-H).