Introductory Astronomy, ASTR 1010: This course presents an overview of classical and modern astronomy. Topics covered include: everyday observations of the sky, planets, stars, galaxies, and cosmology (the study of the Universe itself). In essence, students will be introduced to what we know about the Universe, how we know it, and why it matters to them.
Semesters: Fall 2012, Spring 2013Astrophsics, ASTR 4810/4820: This two-part sequence is normally taken by students in their Junior or Senior years who are concentrating in Astrophysics or majoring in Astronomy. The course will cover spherical coordinate systems, astronomical time, celestial mechanics, radiative transfer, stellar spectra and classification, binary stars and stellar masses, amongst other things. The emphasis of this course is placed strongly on student problem solving though frequent homework and exams.
Semesters: Fall 2013/Spring 2014, Fall 2014/Spring 2015, Fall 2015/Spring 2016Professional Development Seminar, PYHS 6980: This team-taught seminar is intended to help graduate students develop skills that will enhance their research productivity and marketability. The class is fairly conversational in nature, with the goal of getting students to actively consider their career goals and to start mapping out the steps necessary to achieve them. There are small homework assignments after each class and grades are assigned pass/fail.
Semesters: Fall 2012, Fall 2014