Undergraduate Program

This course, for non-science majors, focuses on the solar system, planets orbiting other stars and the possibility that life may exist on some of those worlds.  Topics include the history and basic physics of our understanding of the solar system, the origin of planetary systems like the solar system, the nature of the 8 planets and other bodies in our solar system, how we detect planets orbiting other stars and the origin and possibilities for life on planets. The class will also include readings and discussion of climate change as a planetary phenomenon. Calculus is not needed for the course. The class will also include the use of a video game intended to help teach basic concepts in solar system science.

Location

(TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

This course, for non-science majors, focuses on the solar system, planets orbiting other stars and the possibility that life may exist on some of those worlds.  Topics include the history and basic physics of our understanding of the solar system, the origin of planetary systems like the solar system, the nature of the 8 planets and other bodies in our solar system, how we detect planets orbiting other stars and the origin and possibilities for life on planets. The class will also include readings and discussion of climate change as a planetary phenomenon. Calculus is not needed for the course. The class will also include the use of a video game intended to help teach basic concepts in solar system science.

Location

(W 2:00PM - 4:40PM)

This course, for non-science majors, focuses on the solar system, planets orbiting other stars and the possibility that life may exist on some of those worlds.  Topics include the history and basic physics of our understanding of the solar system, the origin of planetary systems like the solar system, the nature of the 8 planets and other bodies in our solar system, how we detect planets orbiting other stars and the origin and possibilities for life on planets. The class will also include readings and discussion of climate change as a planetary phenomenon. Calculus is not needed for the course. The class will also include the use of a video game intended to help teach basic concepts in solar system science.

Location

(R 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

A study of the structure and composition of the individual planets and smaller solar-system bodies; the orbital dynamics and overall structure of the Solar system and its contents; exoplanets; and the formation of planetary systems like ours. Designed for first-years who intend to major in science or engineering, the course involves the use of skills learned in mathematics and physics courses taken concurrently or in high school, such as single-variable calculus, Newton's laws of motion and gravity, and the ideal-gas law. The course includes a night-time observing project using the Mees Observatory 24-inch telescope and its large-format CCD cameras. Details and course materials can be found at https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr111/.

The course also has a required, daytime, field trip to Mees Observatory on the first Friday of the semester.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of MATH 142 or MATH 161 or MATH 171 with C- or better is required. (MATH 161 or MATH 171 can be taken concurrently)

Location

(TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

A study of the structure and composition of the individual planets and smaller solar-system bodies; the orbital dynamics and overall structure of the Solar system and its contents; exoplanets; and the formation of planetary systems like ours. Designed for first-years who intend to major in science or engineering, the course involves the use of skills learned in mathematics and physics courses taken concurrently or in high school, such as single-variable calculus, Newton's laws of motion and gravity, and the ideal-gas law. The course includes a night-time observing project using the Mees Observatory 24-inch telescope and its large-format CCD cameras. Details and course materials can be found at https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr111/.

The course also has a required, daytime, field trip to Mees Observatory on the first Friday of the semester.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of MATH 142 or MATH 161 or MATH 171 with C- or better is required. (MATH 161 or MATH 171 can be taken concurrently)

Location

(F 2:00PM - 4:40PM)

A study of the structure and composition of the individual planets and smaller solar-system bodies; the orbital dynamics and overall structure of the Solar system and its contents; exoplanets; and the formation of planetary systems like ours. Designed for first-years who intend to major in science or engineering, the course involves the use of skills learned in mathematics and physics courses taken concurrently or in high school, such as single-variable calculus, Newton's laws of motion and gravity, and the ideal-gas law. The course includes a night-time observing project using the Mees Observatory 24-inch telescope and its large-format CCD cameras. Details and course materials can be found at https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr111/.

The course also has a required, daytime, field trip to Mees Observatory on the first Friday of the semester.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of MATH 142 or MATH 161 or MATH 171 with C- or better is required. (MATH 161 or MATH 171 can be taken concurrently)

Location

(R 2:00PM - 4:40PM)

A study of the structure and composition of the individual planets and smaller solar-system bodies; the orbital dynamics and overall structure of the Solar system and its contents; exoplanets; and the formation of planetary systems like ours. Designed for first-years who intend to major in science or engineering, the course involves the use of skills learned in mathematics and physics courses taken concurrently or in high school, such as single-variable calculus, Newton's laws of motion and gravity, and the ideal-gas law. The course includes a night-time observing project using the Mees Observatory 24-inch telescope and its large-format CCD cameras. Details and course materials can be found at https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr111/.

The course also has a required, daytime, field trip to Mees Observatory on the first Friday of the semester.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of MATH 142 or MATH 161 or MATH 171 with C- or better is required. (MATH 161 or MATH 171 can be taken concurrently)

Location

(R 6:15PM - 8:55PM)

An Introduction to Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics. This class explores topics in astrophysics while giving a solid foundation in the fundamentals of fluid mechanics. We introduce the theory of the motion of gases and fluids necessary to understand and explore a wide range of astronomical phenomena including stellar structure, supernovae blast waves and accretion discs. We will cover ideal fluid mechanics, Eulerian and Lagrangian views, conservations laws, hydrostatic equilibrium, self-similar flows, blast waves, spherical accretion and wind flows, astrophysics shocks, viscous flows, vorticity, accretion disks, atmospheric waves, hydrodynamic instabilities, and radiative heating and cooling. We will introduce finite difference numerical techniques so that dynamics in 1 dimension can be explored numerically. At the end of the term we will explore topics of recent interest such as gamma ray bursts, astrophysical turbulence or winds from exoplanets.

Prerequisites: PHYS 237 (may be taken concurrently); familiarity with the subject matter of ASTR 142 and/or ASTR 111 is advised

Location

(MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Independent study project under the direction of a faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed through the Independent Study Form​

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Completion of an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. This course includes a writing component and can be used to satisfy part of the upper-level writing requirement.

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)