Depth rather than breadth

In the past, UR astronomy survey courses were often poorly received by the students, and thought by instructors to be relatively ineffective.
Greater depth in fewer topics is widely thought to elicit deeper understanding of the scientific process.
Greater depth in fewer topics may appear more attractive to potential students if the topics are well chosen.
Results: though enrollment in Astronomy 102 was static for many years when it was a standard survey course (before 1994), it has grown by about 25% each time it has been offered as a course on relativity, black holes and the big bang (1994 and 1996).