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AST 1112 Stars, Galaxies & the Universe

Properties and evolution of stars including the Sun; black holes and other stellar remnants; Milky Way and other galaxies; origin and fate of the universe. Students must sign up for concurrent lab sections.

Division: Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Department: Astronomy
Repeatable Credit: No
Offered Online: Yes

Prereqs: MAT 0100 or MAT 0600 OR MAT 1110 OR MAT 1130 OR MAT 1445 

Outcomes

  • Describe the life cycle of stars, starting from their birth to their deaths and explain how their evolution depends on their mass.
  • Explain why the Big Bang theory is the accepted theory that describes the evolution of our universe based on the evidence we have to date. Be able to compare the possible outcomes for the future of our universe.
  • Be able to classify galaxies based on their appearance and physical properties. Describe the major properties of quasars and other active galaxies, and discuss current theories regarding their origin and evolution.
  • Compare and contrast the properties of absorption, reflection and emission nebulae.
  • Describe the proton-proton chain reaction within the core of stars and other mechanisms by which energy is generated. Explain how the physical properties of stars such as mass, temperature, radius and luminosity are measured or deduced and the relationships between these properties.
  • Describe the nature of electromagnetic radiation, explain how light is produced and the various instruments that astronomers use in making observations. Apply the principles of spectroscopy to deduce basic properties like composition and temperature of celestial objects.

Credit Hours: 3

Classroom Hours: 3