Lecture: For nonscience majors. Introduction to the physical characteristics of the earth, moon, planets, asteroids and comets, their motions and gravitational interactions. Recent discoveries of space probes relative to formation of the solar system and origin of life.

Lab: Multiple sections. For nonscience students. Introduction to the night sky, telescopes, astronomical events, and celestial maps. Visual and telescopic observations of the constellations, moon, planets, stars, and other interesting astronomical objects. Attendance required.(Gen.Ed. PS)

Principles of antennas, receivers, and spectrometers for radio astronomy. Surveys state-of-art systems at centimeter to sub-millimeter wavelengths. Observational techniques and basic system design discussed. There is a laboratory component to course.

Topics include gravitational equilibrium configurations, virial theorem, polytropes, thermodynamics, convective and radiative transport, stellar atmospheres, nuclear reactions and energy generation, pre-main-sequence contraction, evolution to red giant, white dwarf, and neutron star, and supernova explosions.

Not available at this time

In this course, the class will operate as a 'think tank' and consider an important problem for the semester. Like problems presented to a real think tank, the questions for study will be considered to have come from a specific customer who has specific requirements and reasons for requesting the study. The work will consist of three phases: (1) reflection on the question itself and preparation of a workplan to address it; (2) scientific study of the problem; and (3) formulation of recommendations and a final work product for the customer. We elaborate on each of these phases below.

Basic weather parameters, light and energy in the atmosphere. Topics include: atmospheric gases and their behavior; instability of the atmosphere; winds and their origin: large scale, small scale. Moisture: evaporation, condensation, clouds. Kinds of precipitation. Storms: hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes. Atmospheric optics: rainbows, halos, mirages. Climate and climate change. (Gen.Ed. PS)

Lecture: For nonscience majors. Introductory survey of astronomy. How we learn about the Universe and what we already know of it, how it originated, evolves, and its ultimate fate. Emphasis on modern research in solar phenomena, stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes) and galaxy studies (including quasars).

Lecture: For nonscience majors. Introductory survey of astronomy. How we learn about the Universe and what we already know of it, how it originated, evolves, and its ultimate fate. Emphasis on modern research in solar phenomena, stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes) and galaxy studies (including quasars).

Lecture: For nonscience majors. Introductory survey of astronomy. How we learn about the Universe and what we already know of it, how it originated, evolves, and its ultimate fate. Emphasis on modern research in solar phenomena, stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes) and galaxy studies (including quasars).