Undergraduate Program | Courses
Fall 2009
Astronomy 030: Search for Extraterrestrial Life
| Instructor |
Héctor Arce |
| Location/Time |
WLH 002, T TH 4:00-5:15 |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Prerequisites |
Enrollment limited to freshmen. Preregistration required. Please go to the website to enter preferences for seminars: |
| Description |
Introduction to the search for extraterrestrial life. Review of current knowledge on the origins and evolution of life on Earth; applications to the search for life elsewhere in the universe. Discussion of what makes a planet habitable, how common these worlds are in the universe, and how we might search for them. Survey of past, current, and future searches for extraterrestrial intelligence.
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Astronomy 120: Galaxies and the Universe
| Instructor |
Jeffrey Kenney |
| Location/Time |
LC 101, M W 2:30 - 3:45 |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Prerequisites |
No prerequisite other than a working knowledge of elementary algebra. |
| Description |
For non-science majors. An introduction to stars and stellar evolution; the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies; quasars, active galactic nuclei, and supermassive black holes; cosmology and the expanding universe.
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Astronomy 155: Introduction to Astronomical Observing
| Instructor |
Michael Faison |
| Location/Time |
WLH 117, T 2:30-3:45 1 HTBA |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Prerequisites |
One previous college-level science laboratory or astronomy course recommended. |
| Description |
A hands-on introduction to the techniques of astronomical observing. Observations of planets, stars, and galaxies using on-campus facilities and remote observing with Yale?s research telescopes. Use of electronic detectors and computer-aided data processing.
Evening laboratory hours required. |
Astronomy 160: Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics
| Instructor |
Marla Geha |
| Location/Time |
LC 101, 9:25 - 10:15 1HTBA |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Prerequisites |
No prerequisite other than a working knowledge of elementary algebra. |
| Description |
For non-science majors. A detailed study of three fundamental areas in astrophysics that are currently subjects of intense research and debate: (1) planetary systems around stars other than the sun; (2) pulsars, black holes, and the relativistic effects associated with them; (3) the age and ultimate fate of the universe.
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Astronomy 171: Religion and the Big Bang
| Instructor |
Charles Bailyn |
| Location/Time |
BCT 105, W 3:30 - 5:20 |
| Prerequisites |
One introductory course in cosmology and one in either philosophy or religious studies, or with permission of instructors. |
| Description |
An exploration of the gap between modern scientific cosmology and religion. The efforts of scientific, philosophical, and religious thinkers to define and bridge this gap. Steady state vs. big bang cosmologies; the anthropic principle; multiverse theories. Objectivity and intentionality in epistemology; meaning and creation; matter and spirit; divine action.
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Astronomy 210: Stars and their Evolution
| Instructor |
Sarbani Basu |
| Location/Time |
DL 220, M W 1:00 - 2:15 |
| Prerequisites |
MATH 112a or b or equivalent and high school physics. |
| Description |
An intensive introduction to planetary physics and stellar evolution. Star formation, nuclear processes, and the origin of the elements; supernovae, pulsars, and black holes.
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Astronomy 255a/PHYS 295a: Research Methods in Astrophysics
| Instructor |
Michael Faison |
| Location/Time |
JWG 263, MW 1;00 - 2:15 |
| Description |
The acquisition and analysis of astrophysical data, including the design and use of ground- and space-based telescopes, computational manipulation of digitized images and spectra, and confrontation of data with theoretical models. Examples taken from current research at Yale and elsewhere.
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Astronomy 310: Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy
| Instructor |
Richard B. Larson |
| Location/Time |
JWG 263, TTh 4:00-5:15 |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Prerequisites |
MATH 115 and PHYS 201 or equivalents. |
| Description |
Basic properties of stars and their distribution in space; stellar populations and the structure of our galaxy; external galaxies and their structure and distribution in the universe; evolution of galaxies; galaxy interactions and active galactic nuclei; introduction to cosmology.
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Astronomy 355 : Observational Astronomy
| Instructor |
Robert Zinn |
| Location/Time |
Gibbs 263, T Th 10:30 - 11:20 1HTBA |
| Prerequisites |
Previous experience with computer programming recommended. Prerequisite: one astronomy course numbered above 200, or permission of instructor. |
| Description |
Optics for astronomers. Design and use of optical telescopes, photometers, spectrographs, and detectors for astronomical observations. Introduction to error analysis, concepts of signal-to-noise, and the reduction and analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations.
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Astronomy 355: Observational Techniques
| Instructor |
Robert Zinn |
| Location/Time |
Gibbs 263, T Th 10:30-11:20 1HTBA |
| Course Web Page |
View Course Site |
| Description |
The design and use of optical telescopes, cameras, spectrographs, and detectors to make astronomical observations. The reduction and analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations. |
Astronomy 420: Computational Methods for Astrophysics and Geophysics
| Instructor |
Paolo Coppi |
| Location/Time |
Gibbs 263, Gibbs 502, T 1:15 - 2:30, Th 12:50 - 2:00 |
| Prerequisites |
ASTR 320b, MATH 120a or b, 222a or b or 225a or b, and 246a or b. |
| Description |
The analytic and numerical/computational tools necessary for effective research in astronomy, geophysics, and related disciplines. Topics include numerical solutions to differential equations, spectral methods, and Monte Carlo simulations. Applications are made to common astrophysical and geophysical problems including fluids and N-body simulations. |
Astronomy 490a/491b: Independent Project in Astronomy
| Instructor |
Charles Bailyn |
| Location/Time |
1 HTBA |
| Description |
Independent project supervised by a member of the department with whom the student meets regularly. The project must be approved by the instructor and by the director of undergraduate studies; the student is required to submit a complete written report on the project at the end of the term.
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Image Credits: (header) Carolin Cardamone
