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Graduate Course Offerings
Graduate Course Descriptions
Graduate Course Syllabi
Undergraduate Course Offerings
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Course Syllabi
Schedule of Classes
UCSC Catalog
Astronomy & Astrophysics
201 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building (ISB)
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-2844
Fax: (831) 459-5265
Email: dept@astro.ucsc.edu
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Graduate Course Descriptions
2009 - 10
In response to the desire to have a greater emphasis on the physics behind astrophysics and to better reflect the skills and backgrounds of our current faculty in our curriculum, the following Graduate Course Offerings have been updated and revised for the 2009-10 academic year. Please click here for the 2008-09 Graduate Course Descriptions.
All courses with the exception of "ASTR 205 Introduction to Astronomical Research" are offered in alternate academic years.
ASTR 202 Radiative Processes
Survey of radiative processes of astrophysical importance from radio waves to gamma rays. The interaction of radiation with matter: radiative transfer, emission, and absorption. Thermal and non-thermal processes, including bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, and Compton scattering. Radiation in plasmas. E. Ramirez-Ruiz
ASTR 204 Astrophysical Flows
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. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. G. Laughlin
ASTR 205 Introduction to Astronomical Research
Lectures by UCSC faculty on current areas of astronomical and astrophysical research being carried out locally. H. Epps
ASTR 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. G. Illingworth
ASTR 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. G. Laughlin
ASTR 214 Special Topics in Cosmology
A survey covering some of the principal areas of research on the origin and growth of cosmic structures and galaxies: the "dark ages", 21cm tomography, first galaxies, first stars and seed black holes, reionization and chemical enrichment of the intergalactic medium, the assembly of massive galaxies, quasi-stellar sources, interactions of massive black holes with their environment, extragalactic background radiation, numerical simulations and the nature of the dark matter, the dark halo of the Milky Way. P. Madau
ASTR 220A Stellar Structure and Evolution
Survey of stellar structure and evolution. Physical properties of stellar material. Convective and radiative energy transport. Stellar models and evolutionary tracks through all phases. Brown dwarfs and giant planets. Comparison with observations. J. Fortney
ASTR 220B Star Formation
Theory and observations of star formation. Observational techniques used to study star formation, particularly millimeter line and continuum observations, and infrared, visible, and UV star formation tracers. Physics of giant molecular clouds and galaxy-scale star formation. Gravitational instability, collapse, and fragmentation. Pre-main sequence stellar evolution. Protostellar accretion disks and jets. Radiative feedback and HII regions. M. Krumholz
ASTR 220C Advanced Stages of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis
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. S. Woosley
ASTR 222 Planetary Formation and Evolution
Theory and observations of protoplanetary disks. Origin and evolution of the solar nebula. Formation and evolution of the terrestrial planets and the giant planets. D. Lin
ASTR 223 Planetary Physics
Survey of interiors, atmospheres, thermal evolution, and magnetospheres of planets, with a focus on the astronomical perspective. Exoplanets and solar system planets covered, both giant and terrestrial, with attention to current and future observations. J. Fortney
ASTR 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.) J. Primack
ASTR 225 High Energy Astrophysics
High-energy astrophysics and the final stages of stellar evolution; supernovae, binary stars, accretion disks, pulsars; extragalactic radio sources; active galactic nuclei; black holes. E. Ramirez-Ruiz
ASTR 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.) S. Profumo
ASTR 230 Diffuse Matter in Space
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. M. Krumholz
ASTR 231 Diffuse Gas in and between Galaxies
This class will examine the observational data and theoretical concepts related to the interstellar medium (gas inside galaxies), intracluster medium (gas in between galaxies in clusters) and intergalactic medium (gas in between field galaxies). Emphasis will be placed on the inferred physical conditions of this gas and its implications for cosmology and processes of galaxy formation. J. Prochaska
ASTR 233 Physical Cosmology
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. P. Madau
ASTR 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. G. Laughlin
ASTR 237 Accretion Processes
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. D. Lin
ASTR 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. C. Rockosi
ASTR 240B High Redshift Galaxies
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. G. Illingworth
ASTR 257 Modern Astronomical Techniques
The physical, mathematical, and practical methods of modern astronomical observations at all wavelengths are covered at a level that will prepare students to comprehend published data and plan their own observations. Major topics include: noise sources and astrophysical backgrounds; coordinates systems; filter systems; the physical basis of coherent and incoherent photon detectors; astronomical optics and aberrations; design and use of imaging and spectroscopic instruments; antenna theory; aperture synthesis and image reconstruction techniques; and further topics of interest at the discretion of the instructor. M. Bolte
ASTR 260 Instrumentation for Astronomy
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. C. Rockosi
ASTR 289 Special Topics in Astrophysics
Occasional courses in particular areas of current interest. The Staff
ASTR 289 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. C. Max
ASTR 292 Seminar(no credit)
Seminar attended by faculty, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduate students. The Staff
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2008 - 09
ASTR 205 - Introduction to Astronomical Research
Lectures by UCSC faculty on current areas of astronomical and astrophysical research being carried out locally. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. H. Epps
ASTR 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
ASTR 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
ASTR 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.
Staff
ASTR 220A- Stellar Structure and Evolution
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. J. Fortney
ASTR 220B - Star and Planet Formation
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. M. Krumholz
ASTR 220C - Advanced Stages of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis.
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.
ASTR 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. E. Ramirez-Ruiz
ASTR 230 - Low-Density Astrophysics.
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. J. Prochaska
ASTR 233 - Physical Cosmology
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. J. Primack
ASTR 260 - Instrumentation for Astronomy
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
ASTR 292 - Seminar (No Credit)
Seminar attended by faculty, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduate students.
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