Instruction offered by members of the Department of Physics andAstronomy 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
Introduction to Astrophysics
Observations and physical interpretation of stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium; distances and motions in the universe; radiation and telescopes; celestial mechanics. Laboratory exercises including one at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory as circumstances permit. Course Hours:H(3-1T-1) Prerequisite(s):Physics 211or221or227. Antirequisite(s):Credit for both Astrophysics 213and Astronomy 213 will not be allowed. Notes:Recommended for science majors.
Orbital mechanics. Planetary interiors, surfaces, atmosphere, ionospheres and magnetospheres. Solar magnetism and activity cycles. Comets, asteroids, meteorites. Origin of the solar system. Laboratory exercises at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and/or the main campus. Course Hours:H(3-1) Corequisite(s):Prerequisites or Corequisites: Physics 255or323or 355. Also known as:(formerly Astrophysics 409)
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. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astronomy 213orAstrophysics 213, Physics 325, andMathematics 349or 351orApplied Mathematics 307.
Observational properties of stars; equations of stellar structure; physics of stellar interiors; structure and evolution of stars; white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes; observational aspects of stellar atmospheres; radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres; opacity; spectral line formation. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astronomy 213orAstrophysics 213, andPhysics 325.
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. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 403.
Lectures and laboratory sessions in observational astronomy. Modern methods of observation, data reduction, and analysis. Observations will be carried out at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and/or the main campus. Course Hours:H(1-6) Prerequisite(s):Astronomy 213orAstrophysics 213. Corequisite(s):Prerequisite or Corequisite: Any 400-level Astrophysics course.
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. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Astrophysics 503.
Principles and tools of modern ground-based and space astronomy emphasising ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio radiation. Data acquisition and reduction techniques for astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy, imaging, and interferometry. Use of astronomical data analysis software. Course Hours:H(3-3)
Wave propagation, antennas, interferometry, aperture synthesis, radio receivers, and spectrometers. Applications to continuum and line radiation in stars, interstellar medium and extragalactic objects. Course Hours:H(3-0)
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. Course Hours:H(3-0)
Each student will select a project in consultation with a staff member. The project may be experimental or theoretical in nature. A written report and an oral presentation are required. Course Hours:H(0-9)