Undergraduate Course Descriptions

This course presents an introduction to the field of astronomy and astrophysics with an emphasis on the discoveries from space exploration. The first third of the course deals with understanding the history of astronomy, orbits, gravitation, optics, and the properties of light and matter. The rest of the course explores the properties, origin, and evolution of the major planets, asteroids, comets, the Sun, and other components of the Solar System with particular emphasis on comparative aspects with respect to the Earth. The origin and formation of the Solar System and the origin of life will also be discussed. This course is intended for non-science concentrators with a basic high school math and science background.

Advisory Prerequisites: A basic high school math and science background.

No credit for those who have completed or are enrolled in 115. (4 credits; NS, BS, QR/2*)

Discover the nature of stars, black holes, luminous nebulae, supernovae, galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. In this concept-focused course you will learn what these objects are, how they formed, and what is ultimately in store for the universe. Explore the roles of light, energy, and gravity in astronomy.

Advisory Prerequisites: A basic high school math and science background.

No credit granted to those enrolled in or have completed ASTRO 104, ASTRO 142, or ASTRO 201.

In this course, we shall be “traveling” through space and time to “visit” firsthand some of the remarkable features of our Universe. Our “spacecraft” will be built from our imagination, but its destinations will reflect what astronomy and physics have revealed about the nature of our Universe. We will see the Solar System from different planets, look back at the Sun from neighboring stars, and travel throughout our home Galaxy even as we prepare to embark to distant galaxies and beyond. As we travel extremely far from home, we will find that we also have to move back in time to see how the galaxies, stars, the Sun, and the Earth came about in the first place. The physical concepts that we require to understand what we see will be introduced as we go along, and some of these will be used many times during the course. Online notes will be available during the course of the term, though students may use any number of standard modern Astronomy textbooks to supplement these notes and the class lectures. (3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2)

No credit granted to those enrolled in or have completed ASTRO 102, 142, or 201.

Tour the constellations visible this season, and explore topics in both basic and frontier astronomy by examining notable astronomical phenomena associated with these star patterns. We will explore: what these objects are; how they formed; and the roles of light, energy, and gravity. This course also relates mythology linked to the origin of the constellations and discusses celestial cartography. Includes lectures and discussion sessions; discussions meet weekly in planetarium.

Advisory Prerequisites: A basic high school math and science background.

(3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2)

This mini-course discusses the on-going search for extra-terrestrial life.

• Does ET exist?
• Has he/she/it visited Earth?
• Do we want to try to communicate and should we?

In this course, we will discuss the on-going search for extra-terrestrial life. We will place a strong focus on the scientific hurdles that lie in our understanding the development of life and for its potential evolution towards interstellar travel and communication. The framework of the course will be based upon the Drake Equation, first posed to estimate the total number of intelligent civilizations that might exist in the Galaxy at a given time. Thus we will take a census of the potential for life beyond Earth through an exploration of our own solar system. We will then survey beyond our own star system to the exciting search for “extra-solar” planets and their biological potential. We will end with a group activity where students and professors will try to estimate how many ET civilizations might exist and then move on to discuss our future potential to travel to the stars.

(1 credit mini-course; No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro 115; NS, BS)

We explore the dark components of the universe - those that we cannot directly see with our eyes - including Dark Energy, Dark Matter, and Black Holes. We find out how scientists infer their existence and measure their properties from observations of the visible parts of our Universe.

(1 credit; NS, BS) No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in ASTRO 102, 104, 142, or 201.

This course covers one of the most exciting areas of modern astronomy: understanding our own origins and the search for life elsewhere. First, we survey our understanding of life's origin on the Earth. Second, we apply this knowledge by exploring our own solar system and asking what planets or moons could potentially harbor life. Third, we move beyond our star system to outline the search for other planets in the Galaxy, speculate on the existence of life in the Universe, and consider the possibility of star travel sometime in the future.

Advisory Prerequisites: A basic high school math and science background.

No credit for those who have completed or are enrolled in ASTRO 101. (3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2)

Students learn about the nature of the most common astronomical objects that can be observed by eye, such as the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, comets, and meteors. The motion of these objects in the sky is studied along with their influence on the Earth.

Meets two hours/week for half the semester.

No credit for those who have completed or are enrolled in 105. (1 credit mini-course; NS, BS)

This course will trace our progress in understanding the nature of the Universe from the early Greeks to today, with emphasis on our current understanding based on Einstein's relativity. The Big Bang Theory will be presented and origin of matter will be traced from the formation of atoms, to the formation of the first stars, to the build-up of galaxies such as the Milky Way. Dark energy and the ultimate fate of the universe will also be discussed in the context of the recent results from space satellites concerning the cosmic microwave background radiation that fills the universe and the large scale distribution of galaxies that form the cosmic web

No credit for those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro 102, 104, or 201; or Physics 112. (3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2)

How do science and science fiction help to shape our ideas about who we are, the function of our bodies, our relation to the nonhuman, our place to the universe, and our engagements with the environment? To what extent are works of science fiction anchored in real science, and what are the implications of their divergences from the scientifically possible? This course will give students the opportunity to explore these questions in an interdisciplinary context.

Since its emergence, science fiction has encouraged us to imagine possible futures toward which technological innovation might lead. The genre, initially given shape by Romantic critiques of Enlightenment thinking, has helped us to explore the imaginative possibilities enabled by science and the ethical implications of new technologies. This course shares the attitudes of exploration and critique embodied by its double subject matter.

In this class, students will learn about the history of science fiction and will track historical trends and movements within the genre as they relate to the history of science and to concepts and problems in contemporary science. Students will also study how science fiction has brought into everyday language terms and tropes derived from the discourse of science—black holes and wormholes, warp speed and hyperspace, cloning and cryogenics, teleportation and terra-forming, cyborgs and androids, hive minds and the multiverse. The class gives students the opportunity to investigate the scientific roots and meanings of such concepts, while looking at the ways that these ideas are elucidated and challenged in science fiction, and considering how science fiction explores their ethical and practical implications.

(3 Credits; ID)

“Space weather” is an emerging discipline of space science that studies the conditions in space that impact society and Earth’s technological systems. Space weather is a consequence of the behavior of the sun, the nature of Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, and our location in the solar system.

(3 credits; NS, BS)

Discover the extraordinary nature of astronomy, e.g. stars, black holes, galaxies, dark matter, and the universe. This course uncovers the astrophysics behind the most important and common astronomical phenomena in our universe. A major topic is stars and their lives, which can end violently through supernova explosions, leaving behind black holes or neutron stars. This is followed by the study of the Milky Way and its content, other galaxies, and how unseen "dark" matter shapes the universe we see today. We conclude with the origin of the universe and the limitations of looking back in time. Three lectures and two hours of laboratory work weekly; The course requires after-dark observing with telescopes on Angel Hall at least once during the semester, at a time TBD based on weather conditions. (4 credits; NS, BS, QR/1)

Advisory Prerequisites: Calculus and Physics at the high school or university level are strongly recommended. Students should expect a level of math equivalent to MATH 115 (Calculus I).

Since the 1970s X-ray telescopes have revealed a high-energy universe including solar flares, black holes and supernovae, and active galaxies and clusters. Introduces the history, observational techniques, and underlying physics of X-ray emission and propagation. Explores the stellar, galactic, and cosmic sites probed by this radiation.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 115 or equivalent and any 100-level Astronomy course or any 200-level Physics course.

(3 credits; NS, BS, QR/1)

Black holes are among the most fascinating concepts in Astronomy. A natural prediction of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, they can be described as a gravitational singularity inducing infinite curvature into the fabric of space-time. Thus, the relation between time and space gets warped near these objects, generating some of the strangest phenomena in the universe. Although black holes do not emit light directly, their presence can be inferred via extreme effects on their environment. Paradoxically, black holes turn out to be the brightest sources of radiation across the entire universe. Even more surprisingly, black holes can convert infalling matter into bipolar jets that accelerate up to a substantial fraction of the speed of light. In turn, these jets can profoundly alter the properties of the black hole environment on large scales. Supermassive black holes are thought to play a crucial role regulating the evolution and overall properties of their host galaxies – akin to an object the size of a coin dictating the growth of a city the size of Detroit. This class addresses the most basic questions about the nature of black holes, their formation, observational appearance and ultimate fate.

Advisory Prerequisites: 3 credits of any Astronomy course, with the exception of ASTRO 183 and ASTRO 261. 

Enforced Prerequisites: Any one of: PHYSICS 135, 139, 140 or 160.

(3 credits; NS, BS, QR/1)

• U-M is a major partner in the Magellan Observatory, which consists of two 6.5-meter diameter telescopes at the Las Campanas Observatory in Northern Chile.
• Provides a detailed look at this unique and powerful tool for studying the universe and the science being carried out here by U-M researchers.

Advisory Prerequisites: ASTRO 101, 102, 104, 105/188, 115, 142, 160/201

(3 credits; NS, QR/2)

This is a topics course that exposes students to new developments in Astronomy research. Each week, a different invited speaker (local or external) visits the class and gives a simplified, 15-minute talk about their research. The students will have time for questions and discussion with the visitor. There will be both preparatory and follow-up discussions before and after the visit so that students gain a complete understanding of the context, motivation, methodology, and scientific discoveries associated with each project presented. Theoretical uncertainties and experimental limits will also be discussed. In summary, students in this course will essentially participate in a real colloquium experience, but at a slower pace compared to the faculty experience. The Astronomy Department Colloquium series is traditionally on Thursday afternoon, and the classes must be scheduled to coincide on the same day as the Colloquium Series.

Enforced Prerequisites: Any one of the following: PHYSICS 112, ASTRO 101, 102, 104, 105, 115, 142, or 201.

(3 credits; NS, BS, QR/2)

This introductory course, suitable for majors and non-majors, fulfills the Natural Science requirement and offers hands-on, activity- and project-based application of scientific knowledge. The course is divided into three parts--Astronomy, Geology, and Climate Science. It covers the discovery of the place of Earth in the universe and its origin; discusses plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes; and addresses the major components of the climate system (atmosphere, oceans, and cryosphere).

Advisory Prerequisites: High school mathematics and physics recommended.

(3 Credits; BS, NS)

No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in ASTRO 101 or 115, or EARTH 171(or GEOSCI 171) or AOSS 171 or BIOLOGY 110 or ENSCEN 171 or ENVIRON 110.

The purpose of this course is to educate students in all aspects of marine navigation, from getting a vessel underway from port through open ocean navigation using both celestial and electronic means. The content of the course is divided into three major areas. The first section focuses on piloting, emphasizing the safe navigation of vessels in coastal waters. This section provides an introduction to navigational instruments and aids to navigation. The second section concerns celestial navigation, the ability to determine position through observation of celestial bodies. Students learn how to determine position based on the use of the sextant and various almanacs and mathematical tables. The third section of the course considers electronic navigation.

(3 credits; BS)

• Addresses the development of modern cosmology, both observational and theoretical, since the late eighteenth century.

(3 credits; ID)

• Covers the growth of our knowledge of the history, present structure, and future of the universe as astronomers, physicists, and mathematicians have uncovered it in the last four or five generations.

(3 credits; ID)

• Experiential course in which students gain experience in education and public outreach by organizing and participating in activities such as astronomy open houses, telescope viewing, planetarium shows, tutoring, and peer coaching.
• Students work with faculty and staff, while expanding their own understanding of astronomy and learning to communicate scientific principles and discoveries to the public.

Advisory Prerequisites: At least 3 credits in Astronomy.

Topics include astronomical instrumentation, techniques for obtaining astronomical data, and the reduction and analysis of observations. Emphasis is placed upon obtaining and analyzing data in such fields as photometry, imaging, spectroscopy, and interferometry including statistics and model-fitting. Practical labs are based on the python programming language.

Course Requirements: Students can use either their own laptop or a lab computer for programming in python for this class.

Advisory Prerequisites:ASTRO 201 and one of COMPFOR 131, SI 106, EECS 183, PHYSICS 160/161, or an equivalent python programming experience approved by the Astronomy department advisor.

Individual reading and study in astronomy under instructor’s guidance.

Requires instructor’s permission. May be repeated for credit. (1-3 credits)

For students in astronomy who are prepared to undertake a limited research project under the guidance of a member of the staff of the Department of Astronomy. Open to qualified students in other departments subject to approval by concentration advisors and members of the staff of the Department of Astronomy.

Requires instructor’s permission. May be repeated for credit. Continuing Course. Y grade can be reported at end of the first term to indicate work in progress. At the end of the second term, the final grade is posted for both terms. (1-3 credits)

"Exoplanets" are planets found outside of our Solar System, orbiting stars other than the Sun. This course gives an overview of exoplanet science: the physics underlying topics within planet discovery and characterization; major and recent scientific results; and how these findings put our Solar System in context with and inform astrobiology.

Enforced Prerequisites: MATH 215, 255 or 285, and prior or concurrent enrollment in PHYSICS 340 or PHYSICS 360, or graduate standing.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 216, 256 or 286 and ASTRO 201.

(3 credits; BS)

This course examines the appearance, structure, and evolution of stars. We examine the basic physical processes that cause stars to have their observed structures; a study of the energy generation through nucleosynthesis; the basic physical laws that lead to the structure of stars; the transfer of radiation through the outer parts of the star; how spectroscopic information informs us as to the composition and motion of stars; and an in-depth look at the late stages of stellar evolution and stellar death.

Enforced Prerequisites: MATH 215, 255 or 285, and prior or concurrent enrollment in PHYSICS 340 or PHYSICS 360, or graduate standing.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 216, 256 or 286 and ASTRO 201. 

(3 credits; BS)

This course explores the interstellar medium (the gas between stars) — a wide variety of material that interacts closely, and often violently, with individual stars and the host galaxy. It examines underlying atomic and molecular physics, including how gas is ionized by hot stars and supernova remnants. This includes analysis of the cold atomic and molecular gas in the galaxy — how it often lies in spiral arms and why giant molecular clouds are the most active sites of star formation. This course also highlights recent discoveries.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 216 and prior or current enrollment in PHYSICS 340 (or 360) and 390. 

(3 credits; BS)

Examines the properties of galaxies, large-scale structure in the universe, and cosmological models. The basic aspects of galaxies are explained, orbital theory, spiral arms, the missing mass in galaxies, galaxy evolution, and the starburst phenomenon. The clustering of galaxies, the hot intracluster medium and the dynamical evolution of clusters. Expansion of the universe, the cosmic microwave background, the inflationary universe, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and the origin and growth of structure in the universe.

Enforced Prerequisites: MATH 215, 255 or 285, and prior or concurrent enrollment in PHYSICS 340 or PHYSICS 360, or graduate standing.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 216, 256 or 286 and ASTRO 102, 142 or 201.

(3 Credits; BS)

This course examines the underlying astrophysics of violent astronomical phenomena that produce energetic particles under exotic circumstances. It covers high-energy radiation processes and basic fluid mechanics. The physics are applied to accretion onto black holes and other compact objects and the astronomical phenomena that result. It includes study of supernovae, the origin of X-ray and Gamma-ray background radiation fields, Gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic rays.

Advisory Prerequisites: MATH 216, 256 or 286, ASTRO 201, PHYSICS 340 or 360, and prior or concurrent enrollment in PHYSICS 390.

(3 credits; BS)

Computational Astrophysics develops practical working knowledge of the numerical methods most widely used in current research. The course is based on the programming language Python, freely available for all computer platforms. We will cover the basics of programming with Python that will give you sufficient skills for working through this course. We first cover most common scientific numerical methods, such as interpolation, data smoothing, and linear regression. We then study in depth minimization of functions and parameter fitting, including Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and other Machine Learning methods. We also practice statistical description of data, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and multimodality tests. We will apply these numerical methods to real-life research applications. 

Advisory Prerequisites:Prior or concurrent enrollment in MATH 216, 256 or 286, prior or concurrent enrollment in PHYSICS 235, 240 or 260, and some knowledge of programming. 

(3 credits; BS)

• Advanced version of Astro 220.
• Presents the latest discoveries in astronomy by leading scientists from around the country.
• Weekly guest speakers discuss their research in an accessible way. Students have the opportunity to probe both the visitor and instructor.
• Includes both preparatory and follow-up discussion so students gain a complete understanding of each presentation’s motivation, methodology, and significance in the context of the professional scientific literature.

Prerequisites: Astro 201 plus Physics 140 or equivalent. Credit granted for a combined total of 6 credits in ASTRO 220 and ASTRO 420.(3 credits)

• Students are taught approaches for writing abstracts, papers, proposals, meeting posters, policy documents, as well as oral presentation techniques. This procedure includes analyzing the audience and purpose for the writing, selecting and organizing material, constructing an argument, and preparing and editing the text itself. There is a strong emphasis on practice in both writing and oral communications.
• Course satisfies upper level writing requirement for the Department of Astronomy. 

Prerequisites: Astro 201, or department permission. (3 credits; ULWR, BS)

Thi immersion course takes place in residence at Kitt Peak National Observatory, Arizona. It discusses the scientific, technical, and political aspects of ground-based research observatories. Students study a variety of instrumentation and telescope properties, and use MDM telescopes to carry out science projects. The course examines observatories in the context of their natural and sociopolitical environment, and their relationship to local communities.

Advisory Prerequisites: ASTRO 201 and ASTRO 361.

(3 credits; BS)