These hours apply unless I am giving a lecture or attending a meeting. This course discusses the development of astronomy and astronomical techniques, including results obtained from the latest orbiting observatories. The origin, evolution and nature of the Earth, the other planets, and non-planetary bodies will be discussed. This course discusses the development of our understanding of the Universe, including current models of stellar evolution and cosmology.
Emphasis is placed on undersdtanding the physical processes underlying astronomical phenomena.
The prerequisites for both courses are Physics 30 and Mathematics 30. Students who lack one of those prerequisites may request an exemption from the Department, but should discuss the matter with the instructor first. The mathematical skills required for the courses are those obtained from a senior highschool algebra course. Students who have completed Phys 30 will possess a basic understanding of the principles of classical mechanics, gravity, light and the structure of matter. Most of the required physics will be reviewed, or introduced, in class at the appropriate points.