Astronomy and Astrophysics

201 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building
(831) 459-2844
http://www.astro.ucsc.edu

Lower-Division Courses

2. Overview of the Universe. F,W,S
An overview of the main ideas in our current view of the universe, and how they originated. Galaxies, quasars, stars, pulsars, and planets. Intended primarily for nonscience majors interested in a one-quarter survey of classical and modern astronomy. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) S. Vogt, R. Dewey, P. Guha Thakurta, A. Steinacker, J. Miller, J. Brodie

3. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System. F
Properties of the solar system, the sun, solar system exploration, the physical nature of the Earth and the other planets, comets and asteroids, origin of the solar system, possibility of life on other worlds, planet formation, and search for planets beyond the solar system. Intended for nonscience majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately or sequentially. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) D. Lin

4. Introductory Astronomy: The Stars. S
Stellar evolution: observed properties of stars, internal structure of stars, stages of a star's life including stellar births, white dwarfs, supernovae, pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes. Planet and constellation identification. Intended for nonscience majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately or sequentially. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) M. Bolte

5. Introductory Astronomy: The Formation and Evolution of the Universe. W
The universe explained. Fundamental concepts of modern cosmology (Big Bang, dark matter, curved space, black holes, star and galaxy formation), the basic physics underlying them, and their scientific development. Intended for non-science majors. Courses 3, 4, and 5 are independent and may be taken separately. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) S. Faber

8. The Violent Universe: Cosmic Catastrophes and Life on Earth. F
An overview of current ideas of how astronomical events have influenced evolution of life on Earth. Comet/meteor impacts, mass extinctions, direct evidence, dealing with future impacts. Related topics: evolution of the sun and other stars, supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, origin and fate of the universe. Course intended for nonscience majors. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) S. Murray

11. Gravity: The Universal Glue. F
History of gravitational theory: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Einstein. Newton's concept of space and time, laws of motion, and gravity. Einstein's concepts of space, time, and mass in special relativity. Overview of general relativity, extreme gravity fields of black holes. Modern tests of general relativity. The course is for students intending science majors. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) W. Mathews

12. Stars and Stellar Evolution. W
Introduction to the observational facts and physical theory pertaining to stars. Topics include the observed properties of stars and the physics underlying them, stellar atmospheres, stellar structure, and evolution. A course in high school physics is recommended; course intended principally for science students. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) S. Woosley

13. Galaxies, Cosmology, and High Energy Astrophysics. F
Introduction to modern cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. Topics include the origin of the universe, Big Bang cosmology, expansion of the universe, dark matter and dark energy, properties of galaxies and active galactic nuclei, and very energetic phenomena in our own and other galaxies. It is recommended that students have completed a minimum of high school physics; course intended principally for science majors. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) J. Prochaska

14. Observational Astronomy. *
Observational introduction to the night sky. Naked-eye and digital observations of the moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies are used to understand astronomical phenomena. Topics range from planetary orbits to cosmology. An understanding of mathematics at the Math 2 level is desirable. Enrollment limited to 60. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) C. Rockosi

16. Life in the Universe. F
Topics include the detection of extrasolar planets, planetary habitable zones, planet formation, stellar evolution and properties of stars, the exploration of our solar system and the search for life within it, and the evolution of life on Earth. The course is aimed at science majors. Enrollment limited to 50. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) A. Steinacker

18. Planets and Planetary Systems. S
Overview of our solar system and those recently discovered around nearby stars. Topics include formation of planets, structure of planets, moons and rings, asteroids and comets, ground-based and space-based observations, and physical processes. A course in high school physics is recommended; course intended for science majors. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): IN, Q.) C. Max

70. Honors Undergraduate Seminar in Astrophysical Research (2 credits). F
Explores current problems in astrophysical research and how they are being solved by practicing scientists. Each presentation-discussion focuses on a different problem or question, explaining how the problem relates to broader astronomical issues, describing the methods used to solve the problem and reviewing the hoped for, or anticipated outcome. Intended for students considering a career in the physical sciences. Enrollment by permission of instructor, with preference to first and second year students majoring in physics or Earth sciences. W. Mathews

80A. The Space-Age Solar System. W
Exploration of the solar system during the space age: the early history of rocket development, the Apollo program and the exploration of the moon, studying the Earth from space, and the planets of the solar system as revealed by unmanned spacecraft. Intended for nonscience majors. (General Education Code(s): T2-Natural Sciences.)
G. Smith

80B. Light, Color, and Vision. F
Covers a variety of optical and visual phenomena, including the nature of light, optical effects in the atmosphere, the camera and photography, simple optical instruments, the human eye and vision, binocular vision, and color and color perception. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): T2-Natural Sciences, Q.) (F) The Staff

80D. Historical Astronomy. S
Historical development of astronomical thought, from stone megaliths to the expanding universe; Western astronomy from ancient Greece to the 20th century; prehistorical and non-Western astronomy; role of astronomy in development of modern science; political, social, and cultural aspects of astronomy. Offered in alternate academic years. (General Education Code(s): T2-Natural Sciences.) A. Steinacker

Upper-Division Courses

112. Physics of Stars. F
The leading observational facts about stars as interpreted by current theories of stellar structure and evolution. Spectroscopy, abundances of the elements, nucleosynthesis, stellar atmospheres, stellar populations. Final stages of evolution, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovae. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A. P. Bodenheimer

113. Physical Cosmology. W
Physical examination of our evolving universe: the Big Bang model; simple aspects of general relativity; particle physics in the early universe; production of various background radiations; production of elements; tests of geometry of the universe; dark energy and dark matter; and formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A. G. Blumenthal

117. High Energy Astrophysics. S
Theory and practice of space and ground-based x-ray and gamma-ray astronomical detectors. High-energy emission processes, neutron stars, black holes. Observations of x-ray binaries, pulsars, magnetars, clusters, gamma-ray bursts, the x-ray background. High-energy cosmic rays. Neutrino and gravitational-wave astronomy. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A. D. Williams

118. Physics of Planetary Systems. S
Determination of the physical properties of the solar system, its individual planets, and extrasolar planetary systems through ground-based and space-based observations, laboratory measurements, and theory. Theories of the origin and evolution of planets and planetary systems. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 22 or 23A or 23B, Physics 5B or 6B, and 101A. Offered in alternate academic years. P. Bodenheimer

135. Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory. *
Introduction to the techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Offered in some academic years as a multiple-term course: 135A in fall and 135B in winter, depending on astronomical conditions. (Also offered as Physics 135. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. R. Dewey

135A. Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory (3 credits). F
Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions. (Also offered as Physics 135A. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course. R. Dewey

135B. Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory (2 credits). S
Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions. (Also offered as Physics 135B. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 133 and at least one astronomy course. R. Dewey

171. General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology. F
Special relativity is reviewed. Curved space-time, including the metric and geodesics, are illustrated with simple examples. The Einstein equations are solved for cases of high symmetry. Black-hole physics and cosmology are discussed, including recent developments. (Also offered as Physics 171. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Physics 105, 110B, and 114B. A. Aguirre

199. Tutorial. F,W,S
The Staff

Graduate Courses

202. Electromagnetism and Plasma Physics. *
Topics in classical radiation: multipole radiation, synchrotron and Cerenkov radiation, Compton scattering, bremsstrahlung, stimulated and coherent emission, diffraction and scattering. Topics in plasma physics: plasma waves, Debye length, adiabatic invariants, wave propagation in plasmas, Landau damping, two-stream instability. (Also offered as Physics 213. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Offered in alternate academic years. G. Blumenthal

204A. Physics of Astrophysics I. *
Explores how physical conditions in astrophysical objects can be diagnosed from their spectra. Discussion topics include how energy flows determine the thermal state of radiating objects and how the physics of radiative transfer can explain the emergent spectral characteristics of stars, accretion disks, Lyman-alpha clouds, and microwave background. (Formerly course 210 Radiation Astrophysics.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Laughlin

204B. Physics of Astrophysics II. *
Fluid mechanics, equation of motion, inviscid and viscous flow, boundary layers, turbulence, compressibility, sound and non-linear waves, heat and momentum transport, instabilities, magnetohydrodynamics, Alfven waves, antipolar diffusion, plasma physics, stability. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Laughlin

205. Introduction to Astronomical Research. F
Lectures by UCSC faculty on current areas of astronomical and astrophysical research being carried out locally. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. H. Epps

207. Future Directions/Future Missions. *
Examines possible key science goals for the the next decade, such as planet detection, galaxy formation, and "dark energy" cosmology; the means for addressing these goals, such as new space missions and/or ground-based facilities; and the political, technical, and scientific constraints on such research. Looks at the role of the Decadel Survey. Examines a few existing programs (DEEP, ALMA, SNAP, NGST) as examples. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Illingworth

212. Dynamical Astronomy. *
Surveys dynamical processes in astrophysical systems on scales ranging from the planetary to the cosmological, stability and evolution of planetary orbits, scattering processes and the few-body problem, processes in stellar clusters, spiral structure and galactic dynamics, galactic collisions, and evolution of large-scale structure. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. G. Laughlin

214. Structure Formation in the Universe. *
Course builds upon course 240C (offered in alternate academic years) and covers a similar set of topics with a larger emphasis on first stars and black holes, galaxy formation, the physics of the intergalactic medium, and high-redshift sources. Enrollment restricted to graduate students.
P. Madau

220A. Stellar Structure and Evolution. F
Survey of stellar structure and evolution. Physical properties of stellar material. Convective and radiative energy transport. Stellar models and evolutionary tracks through all phases. Comparison with observations. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. P. Bodenheimer

220B. Star and Planet Formation. W
Theory of star formation. Interpretation of observations in star forming regions. Theory and observations of protoplanetary disks. Origin and evolution of the solar nebula. Formation and evolution of the terrestrial planets and the giant planets. Prerequisite(s): course 220A. Offered in alternate academic years. P. Bodenheimer

220C. Advanced Stages of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis. S
The evolution of massive stars beyond helium burning; properties of white dwarf stars; physics and observations of novae, supernovae, and other high energy stellar phenomena; nuclear systematics and reaction rates; the origin and production of all the chemical elements. Prerequisite(s): course 220A. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. S. Woosley

222. Planetary Science. *
Gross dynamical and chemical properties of solar system, interior structure, plate tectonics, atmosphere of terrestrial planets, structure and evolution of giant planets, generation of magnetic fields, planet-satellite tidal interaction, planetary rings, comets, meteorites, formation and long-term stability of solar system. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. D. Lin

224. Origin and Evolution of the Universe. *
Introduction to the particle physics and cosmology of the very early universe: relativistic cosmology, initial conditions, inflation and grand unified theories, baryosynthesis, nucleosynthesis, gravitational collapse, hypotheses regarding the dark matter and consequences for formation of galaxies and large scale structure. (Also offered as Physics 224. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. J. Primack

225. Physics of Compact Objects. *
Physics of dense matter: equations of state. Structure and cooling of white dwarfs and neutron stars. Observations and phenomenology of pulsars. Elementary relativity; properties of black holes. Compact objects in binary systems: X-ray sources, binary pulsars. Pulsars in globular clusters. Offered in alternate academic years. The Staff

226. General Relativity. *
Develops the formalism of Einstein's general relativity, including solar system tests, gravitational waves, cosmology, and black holes. (Also offered as Physics 226. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. A. Aguirre

230. Low-Density Astrophysics. S
Fundamental physical theory of gaseous nebulae and the interstellar medium. Ionization, thermal balance, theory and observation of emission spectra. Interstellar absorption lines, extinction by interstellar dust. Ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio spectra of gaseous nebulae. Offered in alternate academic years. W. Mathews

231. Astrophysical Gas Dynamics. *
A study of compressible gas and plasma dynamics. Transport coefficients. Linear waves and gravitational, thermal, shear, and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. One-dimensional unsteady flow. Shock and ionization fronts. Numerical gas dynamics. Similarity solutions. Winds and accretion flows. Offered in alternate academic years. W. Mathews

233. Physical Cosmology. S
Survey of modern physical cosmology, including Newtonian cosmology, curved space-times, observational tests of cosmology, the early universe, inflation, nucleosynthesis, dark matter, and the formation of structure in the universe. Prerequisite(s): course 202. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Blumenthal

235. Numerical Techniques. *
Gives students a theoretical and practical grounding in the use of numerical methods and simulations for solving astrophysical problems. Topics include N-body, SPH and grid-based hydro methods as well as stellar evolution and radiation transport techniques. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Laughlin

237. Accretion in Early and Late Stages of Stellar Evolution. *
Theories of spherical accretion, structure and stability of steady-state accretion disks, and the evolution of time-dependent accretion disks. Applications of these theories to the formation of the solar system as well as the structure and evolution of dwarf novae and X-ray sources are emphasized. Offered in alternate academic years. D. Lin

240A. Galactic and Extragalactic Stellar Systems. *
Structure and evolutionary histories of nearby galaxies. Stellar populations, galactic dynamics, dark matter, galactic structure and mass distributions. Peculiar galaxies and starbursting galaxies. Structure and content of the Milky Way. Evolution of density perturbations in the early universe. Hierarchical clustering model for galaxy formation and evolution. Offered in alternate academic years. S. Faber

240B. Galactic and Extragalactic Stellar Systems. *
Galaxy formation and evolution from observations of intermediate-to-high redshift galaxies (z 0.5-5). Complements and builds on 240A. Cluster galaxies and field galaxies. Foundation from classic papers on distant galaxies. Recent discoveries from IR and sub-mm measurements. Impact of AGNs and QSOs. Overview of modeling approaches. Identify theoretical and observational issues. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. G. Illingworth

240C. Galactic and Extragalactic Stellar Systems. *
Cosmological models. Recombination epoch and thermal history of the intergalactic medium. Formation of first structures: minihalos, stars, and black holes. Cosmological reionization and early metal enrichment. Radiative transfer in a clumpy universe. Quasar absorption systems. Galaxies at high redshifts and cosmic star formation history. The nature of QSOs and active galaxies. Extragalactic background radiation. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. P. Madau

253. Stellar Dynamics. *
Kinematics and relaxation of stellar systems. Potential and orbit theories. Dynamics of globular clusters, spiral and elliptical galaxies. Dynamical friction, mergers, and galactic cannibalism. Galaxy clustering in the early universe. Offered in alternate academic years. D. Lin

257. Modern Observational Techniques. *
Astronomical telescopes and detectors. Astronomical observing techniques. The reduction of observations. Machine shop practice in instrument construction. Offered in alternate academic years. M. Bolte

260. Instrumentation for Astronomy. S
An introduction to astronomical instrumentation for infrared and visible wavelengths. Topics include instrument requirements imposed by dust, atmosphere, and telescope; optical, mechanical, and structural design principles and components; electronic and software instrument control. Imaging cameras and spectrographs are described. Offered in alternate academic years. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. C. Rockosi

275. Radio Astronomy. *
Theory and practice of radio telescopes, radiometers, and data handling systems. Principles of aperture synthesis. Theory of continuum and line radio emission mechanisms, and application to actual astronomical observations. Galactic radio sources, quasars, and pulsars. Offered occasionally. S. Thorsett

289. Special Topics in Astrophysics.
Occasional courses in particular areas of current interest. The Staff

289C. Adaptive Optics and Its Application. *
Introduction to adaptive optics and its astronomical applications. Topics include effects of atmospheric turbulence on astronomical images, basic principles of feedback control, wavefront sensors and correctors, laser guide stars, how to analyze and optimize performance of adaptive optics systems, and techniques for utilizing current and future systems for astronomical observations. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Offered in alternate academic years. C. Max

292. Seminar (no credit). F,W,S
Seminar attended by faculty, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduate students. The Staff

297. Independent Study. F,W,S
Independent study or research for graduate students who have not yet begun work on their theses. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. The Staff

299. Thesis Research. F,W,S
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. The Staff

*Not offered in 2006-07