Upper-Division

ASTR 111 Order-of-Magnitude Astrophysics

Examines the most basic and direct connection between physics and astrophysics in order to derive a better understanding of astrophysical phenomena from first principles to the extent possible.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 22 or MATH 23A; PHYS 5B or PHYS 6B; and previous or concurrent enrollment in PHYS 102.

ASTR 112 Physics of Stars

The leading observational facts about stars as interpreted by current theories of stellar structure and evolution. Spectroscopy, abundances of the elements, nucleosynthesis, stellar atmospheres, stellar populations. Final stages of evolution, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovae.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 22 or MATH 23A, PHYS 5B or PHYS 6B, and PHYS 102.

ASTR 113 Introduction to Cosmology

Physical examination of our evolving universe: the Big Bang model; simple aspects of general relativity; particle physics in the early universe; production of various background radiations; production of elements; tests of geometry of the universe; dark energy and dark matter; and formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 22 or MATH 23A, PHYS 5B or PHYS 6B, and PHYS 102.

ASTR 117 High Energy Astrophysics

Theory and practice of space and ground-based x-ray and gamma-ray astronomical detectors. High-energy emission processes, neutron stars, black holes. Observations of x-ray binaries, pulsars, magnetars, clusters, gamma-ray bursts, the x-ray background. High-energy cosmic rays. Neutrino and gravitational-wave astronomy.

Credits

5

Instructor

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 22 or MATH 23A, PHYS 5B or PHYS 6B, and PHYS 102.

ASTR 118 Physics of Planetary Systems

Determination of the physical properties of the solar system, its individual planets, and extrasolar planetary systems through ground-based and space-based observations, laboratory measurements, and theory. Theories of the origin and evolution of planets and planetary systems.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 22 or MATH 23A; and PHYS 5B or PHYS 6B.

ASTR 119 Introduction to Scientific Computing

Introduction to solving scientific problems using computers. A series of simple problems from Earth sciences, physics, and astronomy are solved using a user-friendly scientific programming language (Python/SciPy).

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 11A or MATH 19A or MATH 20A or AM 15A.

ASTR 136 Advanced Astronomy Laboratory

Introduces the techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical wavelengths through hands-on experiments and use of remote observatories. Students develop the skills and experience to pursue original research. Course is time-intensive and research-oriented.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): ASTR 119 and PHYS 133. Enrollment is restricted to junior and senior astrophysics majors.

ASTR 136A Advanced Astronomy Lab: Astrometry

Students use the Nickel telescope at Lick Observatory to measure the astrometry, or position, of a solar system body across multiple nights. By measuring the body's motion, students determine its distance from the Earth using parallax. This course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period and includes an overnight field trip to Lick Observatory.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 136B Advanced Astronomy Lab: Galaxy Rotation Curves and Dark Matter

Students use the Shane telescope at Lick Observatory to measure the rotation curve of a galaxy. Observations like this provide some of the best evidence for the existence of dark matter, and students evaluate that evidence in their observations. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period and includes an overnight field trip to Lick Observatory.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 136C Advanced Astronomy Lab: Stellar Photometry

Uses archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope to create a color-magnitude diagram for a star cluster. Examines techniques for measuring and calibrating photometry and estimating the uncertainties on the measurements. Students identify the major features of the color-magnitude diagram, the corresponding stages of stellar evolution and what information can be learned about the age and distance of the cluster. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs and meets over a three-week period. The lab involves all archival data, there is no nighttime observing component.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and either ASTR 119 or ASTR 19 or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to junior and senior physics (astrophysics) majors or by permission.

ASTR 136D Advanced Astronomy Lab: Wavefront Measurement

Students use a laboratory optics kit to create an optical system that models a telescope observing an astronomical object, and use a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to measure the difference between aberrated and unaberrated wavefronts. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 136E Advanced Astronomy Lab: Adaptive Optics

Students use a laboratory optics kit to identify the major components of an adaptive optics system and explain the role of each one. Using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to examine aberrated and unaberrated wavefronts, students analyze the effect of closing the AO correction loop. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 136G Advanced Astronomy Lab: Detectors

Students use laboratory data to measure and calibrate data from a charged coupled device (CCD) detector in an imaging camera, characterize the detector dark current, the camera system flatfield response, and the readnoise. Students evaluate the impact of these detector parameters on the signal to noise of the measurement of flux from a point source and use them to make predictions for data quality. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 136H Advanced Astronomy Lab: Fourier Optics

Students use a laboratory optics kit investigate concepts of Fourier optics, investigate several Fourier filters, propose Fourier filters to implement specific output effects, and verify the results. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.

Credits

2

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133, and one of the following: ASTR 119, ASTR 19, or CSE 20. Enrollment is restricted to senior physics-astrophysics majors, and juniors by permission.

ASTR 192 Dir Stu Teach

Dir Stu Teach

Credits

5

ASTR 199 Tutorial

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Cross-listed courses that are managed by another department are listed at the bottom.

Cross-listed Courses

PHYS 130 Multiwavelength Astronomical Techniques

Survey of observational astronomy across the electromagnetic spectrum and including multi-messenger probes. Covers the physics of light detection and instrumentation in different wavelength bands as well as astrophysical sources of emission and the relevant radiative processes associated to them. Aspects of statistics and statistical inference relevant for astronomical data analysis are also covered.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 114

Instructor

Tesla Jeltema

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102; and PHYS 133; and either ASTR 19 or ASTR 119 or CSE 20.

PHYS 135 Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to the techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Offered in some academic years as a multiple-term course: PHYS 135A in fall and PHYS 135B in winter, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135

Instructor

Steve Ritz, David Smith

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and at least one astronomy course. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics.

PHYS 135A Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course PHYS 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

3

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135A

Instructor

Tesla Jeltema

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and at least one astronomy course. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors.

PHYS 135B Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term PHYS 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

2

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135B

Instructor

George Brown

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 135A. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors.

PHYS 171 General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology

Special relativity is reviewed. Curved space-time, including the metric and geodesics, are illustrated with simple examples. The Einstein equations are solved for cases of high symmetry. Black-hole physics and cosmology are discussed, including recent developments.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 171

Instructor

Stefania Gori

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 105, PHYS 110A, and PHYS 110B; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24.

PHYS 224 Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology

Particle physics and cosmology of the very early universe: thermodynamics and thermal history; out-of-equilibrium phenomena (e.g., WIMPs freeze-out, neutrino cosmology, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, recombination); baryogenesis; inflation; topological defects. High-energy astrophysical processes: overview of cosmic ray and gamma ray astrophysics; radiative and inelastic processes; astroparticle acceleration mechanisms; magnetic fields and cosmic ray transport; radiation-energy density of the universe; ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays; dark-matter models; and detection techniques.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 224

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to graduate students only, except by permission of instructor.

PHYS 226 General Relativity

Develops the formalism of Einstein's general relativity, including solar system tests, gravitational waves, cosmology, and black holes.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 226

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to graduate students only, except by permission of instructor.