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ASTR 4A. Introduction to the Solar System.
Description and explanations of astronomical phenomena and measurements related to the Solar System and exoplanets. Structure and evolution of planetary systems. Formation of solar systems and planets. Occasional observation periods.
Prerequisite: One year of high school geometry or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student.
Units:
3.0
ASTR 4B. Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology. Description and explanations of astronomical phenomena related to stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Structure and evolution of stellar and galactic systems. Occasional observation periods. Prerequisite: One year high school geometry or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 4C. Introduction to Astrobiology. Nature and history of scientific inquiry into life outside the Earth. Definitions of life. Habitability of planets and moons in our Solar System and of extrasolar planets. Likelihood of intelligent life outside Earth and rationale for the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. Prerequisite: One year high school geometry or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 6. Astronomical Observation Laboratory. Study and use of various telescopes; field observation of planets, stars, meteors, asteroids, the moon and sun; laboratory activities relevant to astronomy. Lab three hours. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A, ASTR 4B, or ASTR 4C; may be taken concurrently. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 1.0
ASTR 131. The Solar System and Space Exploration. Planets and satellites, including their composition, structure, and atmospheres, with emphasis on modern techniques and observations. Solar surface phenomena and their influence on planets through the solar wind. Comets, meteorites, and their implications for the origin and evolution of planets. Physical effects governing feasible forms of space exploration and colonization. Note: This course is approved as a Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A or ASTR 4B or 4C or PHYS 11A or CHEM 1A and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 132. Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology. Types and evolution of stars; structure and evolution of galaxies; overall structure of the universe; current developments in astronomy. Note: This course is approved as a Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A or ASTR 4B or 4C or PHYS 11A or CHEM 1A and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 196. Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Introduction to historical, observational and theoretical principles of dark matter and dark energy in the Universe. Topics will include dark matter in galaxies (rotation curves, stellar motions), dark matter in clusters (virial theorem, x-ray observations), MACHOs and WIMPs as dark matter candidates, as well as the discovery of dark energy through supernovae observations, and additional probes of dark energy. Dark matter and dark energy will be discussed in the cosmological context of the Big Bang theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 106 and PHYS 110 Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 199. Special Problems. Individual projects or directed reading. Note: Open only to students competent to assume individual work on approval of the instructor. Up to 2 units may be taken for a grade. Graded: Graded (CR/NC Available). Units: 1.0 - 2.0.
ASTR 4B. Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology. Description and explanations of astronomical phenomena related to stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Structure and evolution of stellar and galactic systems. Occasional observation periods. Prerequisite: One year high school geometry or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 4C. Introduction to Astrobiology. Nature and history of scientific inquiry into life outside the Earth. Definitions of life. Habitability of planets and moons in our Solar System and of extrasolar planets. Likelihood of intelligent life outside Earth and rationale for the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. Prerequisite: One year high school geometry or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 6. Astronomical Observation Laboratory. Study and use of various telescopes; field observation of planets, stars, meteors, asteroids, the moon and sun; laboratory activities relevant to astronomy. Lab three hours. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A, ASTR 4B, or ASTR 4C; may be taken concurrently. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 1.0
ASTR 131. The Solar System and Space Exploration. Planets and satellites, including their composition, structure, and atmospheres, with emphasis on modern techniques and observations. Solar surface phenomena and their influence on planets through the solar wind. Comets, meteorites, and their implications for the origin and evolution of planets. Physical effects governing feasible forms of space exploration and colonization. Note: This course is approved as a Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A or ASTR 4B or 4C or PHYS 11A or CHEM 1A and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 132. Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology. Types and evolution of stars; structure and evolution of galaxies; overall structure of the universe; current developments in astronomy. Note: This course is approved as a Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: ASTR 4A or ASTR 4B or 4C or PHYS 11A or CHEM 1A and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 196. Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Introduction to historical, observational and theoretical principles of dark matter and dark energy in the Universe. Topics will include dark matter in galaxies (rotation curves, stellar motions), dark matter in clusters (virial theorem, x-ray observations), MACHOs and WIMPs as dark matter candidates, as well as the discovery of dark energy through supernovae observations, and additional probes of dark energy. Dark matter and dark energy will be discussed in the cosmological context of the Big Bang theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 106 and PHYS 110 Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0
ASTR 199. Special Problems. Individual projects or directed reading. Note: Open only to students competent to assume individual work on approval of the instructor. Up to 2 units may be taken for a grade. Graded: Graded (CR/NC Available). Units: 1.0 - 2.0.