Foundations of Science
Using modern, student-centered, active and collaborative learning techniques, students will engage — through field observations, in-class experiments, computer simulations, and selected readings — with a range of ideas and techniques designed to integrate and anchor scientific habits of mind. Throughout the term, all students will satisfy a detailed set of rubrics by documenting their learning in reflection postings designed to serve as a future reference for how they, individually, went from not understanding an idea to understanding it. Topics covered will include statistics, basic probability, a variety of calculational skills, graph reading, and estimation — all aimed at elucidating such concepts as energy, matter, cells, and genes in the context of astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, neuroscience, and physics.
- MW 10:10 a.m.-noon
- MW 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
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Instructor:
Amanda C Quirk
Info - 4 points
UNIVERSAL TIMEKEEPER
The goal of the course is to illustrate — and perhaps even inculcate —
quantitative and scientific reasoning skills. The subject material
employed in this task is the study of atoms and their nuclei which,
through a wide variety of physical and chemical techniques, can be used
to reconstruct quantitatively the past. Following an introduction to
atoms, light, and energy, we will explore topics including the detection
of art forgeries, the precise dating of archeological sites, a
reconstruction of the development of agriculture and the history of the
human diet, the history of past climate (and its implications for the
future), the history and age of the Earth, and the history of the Universe.
- TR 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
David J Helfand
CULPA: 40
Info
- 3 points
EARTH, MOON, AND PLANETS
Prerequisites: recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The overall architecture of the solar system. Motions of the celestial sphere. Time and the calendar. Major planets, the earth-moon system, minor planets, comets. Life in the solar system and beyond. This course is similar to ASTR BC 1753. You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both.
- TR 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
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Instructor:
James H Applegate
CULPA: 44 Info - 3 points
STARS AND ATOMS
Prerequisites: recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. What is the origin of the chemical elements? This course addresses this question, starting from understanding atoms, and then going on to look at how how atoms make stars and how stars make atoms. The grand finale is a history of the evolution of the chemical elements throughout time, starting from the Big Bang and ending with YOU. You cannot enroll in ASTR W1836 in addition to ASTR BC1754 or ASTR W1404 and receive credit for both.
- MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Marcel A Agueros
CULPA: 9
Info
- 3 points
INTRO TO ASTROPHYSICS II
Prerequisites: a working knowledge of calculus. Corequisites: the second term of a course in calculus-based general physics. Continuation of ASTR UN2001; these two courses constitute a full year of calculus-based introduction to astrophysics. Topics include the structure of our galaxy, the interstellar medium, star clusters, properties of external galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and cosmology.
- MW 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
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Instructor:
David Schiminovich
CULPA: 7
Info
- 3 points
Introduction to Research Skills in Astro
Astrophysics Research Ski
Participation in research is an essential component of a complete undergraduate science education, and is mandatory for those students wishing to go on to the PhD. This course is designed to introduce students to doing astronomy beyond the classroom. It will cover basic topics including but not limited to: coding in astronomy, utilizing international archives, manipulating data, running simulations, reading academic papers, making and giving presentations, academic culture, time management, working in collaborations, and career paths. Students will engage in first-hand research on a specific astronomical topic in order to put their skills to practice. By the end of the course, students should be fully prepared to enter a summer research internship and make the most of their time there. We encourage students considering majoring in Astronomy or Astrophysics who are interested in astrophysical research to take this course. Priority will be given to those interested in majoring in Astrophysics who have no prior research experience. Students should have taken at least one semester of college-level physics and have a knowledge of calculus. No prior experience in python coding is required.
- TR 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
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Instructor:
Mary Putman
CULPA: 3
h-index: 54
Info
- 1 points
EXOPLANETS AND ASTROBIOLOGY
- TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
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Instructor:
David Kipping
CULPA: 4 h-index: 44 Info - 3 points
RELATVITY,BLACK HOLES,COSMOLGY
- MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
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Instructor:
Frederik Paerels
CULPA: 21
Info
- 3 points
OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
Prerequisites: one year of general astronomy Introduction to the basic techniques used in obtaining and analyzing astronomical data. Focus on ground-based methods at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Regular use of the telescope facilities atop the roof of the Pupin Labs and at Harriman Observatory. The radio-astronomy portion consists mostly of computer labs, In research projects, students also work on the analysis of data obtained at National Observatories.
- R 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
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Instructor:
Kishalay De
Info - 3 points
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Prerequisites: the instructors permission. For an independent research project or independent study, a brief description of the proposed project or reading, with the supervising faculty members endorsement, is required for registration. A variety of research projects conducted under the supervision of members of the faculty. Observational, theoretical, and experimental work in galactic and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. The topic and scope of the work must be arranged with a faculty member in advance; a written paper describing the results of the project is required at its completion (note that a two-term project can be designed such that the grade YC is given after the first term). Senior majors in astronomy or astrophysics wishing to do a senior thesis should make arrangements in May of their junior year and sign up for a total of 6 points over their final two terms. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results are required.
- 3 points
Astro-Skills: Observational and Analytic
This class will consist of:
● A survey of astronomical instrumentation and modern observational techniques
● An overview of the skills to use those tools to learn about the Universe
● An introduction to the data analysis techniques that allow robust inferences from what
has been observed,
This course will alternate on a weekly basis between lectures and lab applications (i.e each
week has a lecture and lab component).
- MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
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Instructor:
David Schiminovich
CULPA: 7
Info
- 3 points
Stars and Planets
An in-depth exploration of the physical processes governing the structure, formation, and evolution of stellar and planetary systems, with emphasis on the underlying astrophysical principles.
- MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
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Instructor:
Jane Huang
Info - 3 points