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Courses

The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 1998-1999 and 1999-2000; however, all courses are not taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes that have been made to the courses listed here since this catalog was printed.

A full explanation of course numbers is given in General Information. In brief, the first digit of a course number indicates the semester hour value of the course. The second and third digits indicate the rank of the course: if they are 01 through 19, the course is of lower-division rank; if 20 through 79, of upper-division rank; if 80 through 99, of graduate rank.

Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences: NSC

Lower-Division Course

110. Dean's Scholars Seminar.
Restricted to students in the Dean's Scholars Program. Emphasis on student participation. Format may include student speakers, outside speakers, discussions, visits to laboratories, or other projects. The equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the pass/fail basis only.

Department of Astronomy

Unless otherwise stated in the description below, each class meets for three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Astronomy: AST

Lower-Division Courses

301. Introduction to Astronomy.
General introduction to astronomy for nonscience majors. The solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Only one of the following may be counted: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, 307.

302. Self-Paced Introduction to Astronomy.
General, self-paced introduction to astronomy for nonscience majors. The solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Only one of the following may be counted: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, 307.

303. Introduction to Astronomy with Celestial Observations.
General introduction to astronomy for nonscience majors. The solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Introduces students to the night sky and includes some observational activities. Only one of the following may be counted: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, 307.

103L. Astronomical Observations.
For nonscience majors. Observations of celestial phenomena with naked eye and small telescope; photographic option. Two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Astronomy 301. (May not be taken by students enrolled in Astronomy 302 or 303.)

104. Undergraduate Astronomy Seminar.
Designed for astronomy majors. Discussions about current astronomical research, with different topics emphasized each semester. One lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated twice for credit when the topics vary. Offered on the pass/fail basis only.

307. Introductory Astronomy.
Introduction to astronomy for science and engineering students. The solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Only one of the following may be counted: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, 307. Prerequisite: Mathematics 305G or the equivalent or consent of instructor; high school trigonometry and physics are recommended.

309. Topics in Astronomy for Nonscience Students.
Selected topics in modern astronomy: solar system, galaxies, peculiar stars, cosmology, and others. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309L. Search for Extraterrestrial Life.
Origin of life in the solar system, existence of other planetary systems, possibilities and techniques for detection of and communication with other intelligences. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309N. Astronomy Bizarre: Stars and Stellar Evolution.
Exotic objects and extremes in stellar evolution: pulsars, neutron stars, novae, supernovae, black holes. Astronomy 309N and 309Q may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309P. Astronomy in Science Fiction.
The use of astronomy and other sciences in science fiction literature. Critical analysis of selected novels as to the validity of the astronomy used. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309Q. Time and the Cosmos.
For nonscience majors. From the beginning of time in the Big Bang to the end of time in the black hole. Includes the early universe, the formation and evolution of single and double stars, and the supercompact objects they eventually become: white dwarfs, pulsars, and black holes. Astronomy 309N and 309Q may not both be counted; Astronomy 309Q and 309R may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309R. Astronomy Bizarre: Galaxies, Quasars, and Cosmology.
Past, present, and projected future behavior of the universe and its contents, including galaxies and quasars. Astronomy 309Q and 309R may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

309T. The Milky Way Galaxy.
Our spiral system of stars, gas, and dust; star formation. Prerequisite: Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

110K, 210K, 310K. Conference Course.
Supervised study of selected areas of astronomy, by arrangement with a faculty member. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Some sections are offered on the pass/fail basis only; these are identified in the Course Schedule. Prerequisite: Written consent of instructor.

119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S. Topics in Astronomy.
This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Department of Astronomy. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Upper-Division Courses

321. Current Problems in Astronomy.
For nonscience majors. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; and Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

324. Origins: The Universe, Stars, Planets, and Life.
For nonscience majors. Origins of the universe, stars, and planets; origin of life from simple molecules. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; and Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S. Topics in Astronomy.
This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Department of Astronomy. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

350L. History and Philosophy of Astronomy.
Historical influence of astronomical concepts on social, economic, literary, and scientific life; the place of astronomy in society. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; and Astronomy 301, 302, 303, or consent of instructor.

352K. General Stellar Astronomy.
The observed properties of normal stars, multiple stars, variable stars, and peculiar stars. Prerequisite: Physics 316 and 116L.

352L. Positional, Dynamical, and Kinematical Astronomy.
Coordinate systems and time; stellar positions and motions; the kinematics and dynamics of star clusters and galaxies. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Mathematics 427K.

152M. Stellar Astronomy Laboratory.
An introduction to practical observational techniques in astronomy, designed for astronomy majors or advanced students in a physical science. Exercises on the spectroscopy, photometry, and positions of stars using a sixteen-inch telescope on campus. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Physics 316 and 116L; concurrent enrollment in Astronomy 352K is recommended.

353. Astrophysics.
Survey of the physics of stellar and nonstellar radiation laws, stellar atmospheres and interiors; high-energy astrophysics. Prerequisite: Physics 316 and 116L.

358. Galaxies and the Universe.
Structure and contents of our galaxy; normal and active galaxies, quasars; introduction to cosmology. Prerequisite: Physics 316 or the equivalent; Astronomy 352K is recommended.

364. Solar System Astronomy.
Modern studies of the solar system, including properties of the planets and smaller bodies, and the origin of planetary systems. Prerequisite: Physics 316 and 116L.

367M. Methods of Astronomy.
Same as Physical Science 367M. An introductory, self-paced course in the methods of astronomy that emphasizes learning astronomical principles through observations. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. May not be counted toward the Bachelor of Arts, Plan I, degree with a major in astronomy. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and nine semester hours of mathematics and/or science, including one of the following: Physical Science 303, 304, Astronomy 301, 302, 303. Equivalent preparation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or earth sciences may be substituted with written approval of the instructor.

175, 275, 375. Conference Course.
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

376. Special Topics in Advanced Astronomy.
Designed for science majors. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Up to six semester hours may be counted toward the major requirement for the Bachelor of Arts with a major in astronomy. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

679H. Honors Tutorial Course.
Research project and thesis for students electing to take the honors program in astronomy. Conference course for one or two semesters. Prerequisite: Admission to Astronomy Honors Program, upper-division standing, a University grade point average of at least 3.00, a grade point average of at least 3.50 in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, and consent of instructor.

Contents  |  Next File  |  Previous File

Undergraduate catalog

Contents  |  Chapter 1  |  Chapter 2  |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4
Chapter 5  |  Chapter 6  |  Chapter 7  |  Chapter 8  |  Chapter 9
Chapter 10  |  Chapter 11  |  Chapter 12  |  Chapter 13
Texas Common Course Numbering System (Appendix A)
Appendix B

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