Astrophysics ASPH
Instruction offered by members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science.
Department Head - A.R. Taylor
Note: For listings of related courses, see Astronomy, Physics, Medical Physics, and Space Physics.
Junior Course
Astrophysics 213 H(3-1T-1)
Introduction to Astrophysics
Basic concepts of astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include: observations of stars and galaxies and their interpretation; distances and motions in the universe; characteristics of stars and star clusters; the interstellar medium; star formation; binary and variable stars; stellar structure and evolution; galaxies and cosmology; radiation and telescopes. Laboratory exercises will be held at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory as circumstances permit. Recommended for science majors.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 and 221.
Note: Credit for both Astrophysics 213 and Astronomy 213 will not be allowed.
Senior Courses
Astrophysics 309 H(3-1)
(formerly Astrophysics 409)
Solar System Astrophysics
Orbital mechanics and planetary observations. Mineralogy, structure, and evolution of the planets. Thermal, dynamic and chemical aspects of planetary interiors, atmospheres and ionospheres. Solar and planetary magnetism, magnetospheres, and activity cycles. Comets, asteroids, meteorites, and the origin of the solar system. Laboratory exercises will be held at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory as circumstances permit and/or on the main campus.
Corequisites: Prerequisites or Corequisites: Astronomy 211, Physics 325; and Physics 313 or 323 or 355.
Astrophysics 401 H(3-0)
(formerly Astrophysics 509)
Galactic Astrophysics
The galaxy: space distribution of stars and interstellar material; kinematics and dynamics of stellar systems; rotation and spiral structure; classification and global properties of galaxies; active galaxies.
Prerequisites: Astronomy 213, Physics 325, and Mathematics 349 or 351 or Applied Mathematics 307.
Astrophysics 403 H(3-0)
Stellar Structure and Evolution
Observational properties of stars; equations of stellar structure; physics of stellar interiors; structure of main sequence stars; post-main sequence evolution and the ages of star clusters; final stages of stellar evolution; white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes; observational aspects of stellar atmospheres; radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres; opacity, spectral line formation..
Prerequisites: Astronomy 213 and Physics 325.
Astrophysics 503 H(3-0)
The Interstellar Medium
Multiwavelength observations of gas and dust in our Galaxy; distribution and physics of neutral atomic hydrogen and molecules; interstellar chemistry; physics of dust grains; HII regions; interstellar shocks; gas dynamics; star formation.
Prerequisites: Astrophysics 403.
Astrophysics 507 H(1-6)
Senior Astrophysics Laboratory
Lectures and laboratory sessions in observational astronomy, emphasizing modern methods of observation, data reduction, and analysis. Observations will be carried out using telescopes at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and/or equipment located on the main campus.
Prerequisites: Astronomy 213.
Corequisites: Prerequisite or Corequisite: Any 400-level Astrophysics course.
Astrophysics 509 H(3-0)
High Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology
Clusters of galaxies; microwave and X-ray background radiation; dark matter and dark energy; overview of cosmology; general relativistic considerations; large-scale structure and expansion of the universe; nucleosynthesis; gamma ray bursts and cosmic rays.
Prerequisites: Astrophysics 503.
Graduate Courses
Astrophysics 607 H(3-3)
Advanced Observational Astrophysics
Principles and tools of modern ground-based and space astronomy with an emphasis on astronomical measurement of ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio radiation. Topics will include astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy, imaging, and interferometry data acquisition and reduction techniques. Laboratory exercises using astronomical data analysis software will be a major component of the course.
Astrophysics 609 H(3-1)
Advanced Theoretical Astrophysics
Theories of radiation transfer and dynamics with applications to stellar atmospheres, stellar and galactic structure, and the interstellar medium. There will be an emphasis on computational techniques, model development, and comparison with observations.
Astrophysics 611 H(3-0)
Radio Astronomy
Wave propagation, antennas, interferometry, aperture synthesis, radio receivers, and spectrometers. Applications to continuum and line radiation in stars, interstellar medium, and extragalactic objects.
Astrophysics 621 H(3-0)
High Energy Astrophysics
Interaction of high energy particles with matter, propagation and origin of cosmic rays; structure of white dwarfs and neutron stars; the physics of jets and the accretion process onto compact objects; supernovae and supernova remnants; active galactic nuclei.
Astrophysics 697 H(3-0)
Topics in Contemporary Astrophysics
Topics will be from the research areas of staff members.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT