Undergraduate Program

Spring Term Schedule, Astronomy

Spring 2024

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
ASTR 106-01 Cosmic Origins of Life Adam Frank TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM
A review of the evidence for habitats and the building blocks of life in extraterrestrial space, the possibilities for the development of life elsewhere, and the light that these ideas cast on the origins of life on Earth. We also discuss the future of civilizations like ours, the possibilities of travel to other habitable planets, and communication between advanced cultures spread widely through space. The material we discuss will be drawn very widely from astronomy, physics, geology, chemistry, biology, paleontology and history, presented with a minimum of mathematical complexity. Location Bausch & Lomb Room 106 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
ASTR 106-02 Cosmic Origins of Life - Recitation Adam Frank T 3:25PM - 4:40PM
No description Location Bausch & Lomb Room 315 (T 3:25PM - 4:40PM)
ASTR 106-03 Cosmic Origins of Life - Recitation Adam Frank R 4:50PM - 6:05PM
No description Location Bausch & Lomb Room 315 (R 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
ASTR 142-01 Elementary Astrophysics (Honors) Kelly Douglass TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
Application of the physics and math techniques learned in the introductory course sequences, to the study of celestial objects outside the Solar system. We discuss stars and their formation from interstellar matter, the structure of galaxies and their distribution in the Universe, and the origins and large-scale structure of the Universe: all topics that are developed much further in the AST 200-level courses. The course also includes a night-time observing project, based upon student use of professional-style telescopes and CCD cameras. Registration of recitation is required at the time of course registration. Typical textbook: Marck Kutner, 'Astronomy' A Physical Perspective,' second edition. Prerequisites: PHYS 141-143 or PHYS 121- 123 (PHYS 123 may be taken concurrently); MATH 161-165 or MATH 171-174 (MATH 174 may be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; ASTR 111 recommended but not required Location Bausch & Lomb Room 203H (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
ASTR 142-02 Elementary Astrophysics (Honors) REC Kelly Douglass F 2:00PM - 4:40PM
No description Location Bausch & Lomb Room 203H (F 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
ASTR 241-01 Stellar Astrophysics Dan Watson TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
This introduction to the physics of stars is taken primarily by juniors and seniors majoring in physics and astronomy, physics, optics, or mathematics. The elements of radiative transfer and gas dynamics are presented and applied to the study of the atmospheres of stars. The interior structure and evolution of stars of various types are also discussed. Syllabus Link: https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr241/Outline.pdf Location Bausch & Lomb Room 407 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
ASTR 241-02 Stellar Astrophysics - Recitation Dan Watson F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
No description Location Bausch & Lomb Room 407 (F 10:00AM - 10:50AM)
ASTR 244W-01 Observational Astronomy Kelly Douglass TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM
No description Location Bausch & Lomb Room 203H (TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM)
ASTR 391-01 Independent Study Kelly Douglass 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Normally open to seniors concentrating in physics and astronomy. Independent study project under the direction of a faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 393-01 Senior Project – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Completion of an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
ASTR 393W-01 Senior Thesis Miki Nakajima 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)
ASTR 393W-02 Senior Thesis Dan Watson 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)
ASTR 393W-03 Senior Thesis Regina Demina 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)
ASTR 393W-04 Senior Thesis Kelly Douglass 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)
ASTR 393W-05 Senior Thesis Segev BenZvi 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)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Tuesday
ASTR 106-02 Cosmic Origins of Life - Recitation Adam Frank
No description
Tuesday and Thursday
ASTR 142-01 Elementary Astrophysics (Honors) Kelly Douglass
Application of the physics and math techniques learned in the introductory course sequences, to the study of celestial objects outside the Solar system. We discuss stars and their formation from interstellar matter, the structure of galaxies and their distribution in the Universe, and the origins and large-scale structure of the Universe: all topics that are developed much further in the AST 200-level courses. The course also includes a night-time observing project, based upon student use of professional-style telescopes and CCD cameras. Registration of recitation is required at the time of course registration. Typical textbook: Marck Kutner, 'Astronomy' A Physical Perspective,' second edition. Prerequisites: PHYS 141-143 or PHYS 121- 123 (PHYS 123 may be taken concurrently); MATH 161-165 or MATH 171-174 (MATH 174 may be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; ASTR 111 recommended but not required
ASTR 241-01 Stellar Astrophysics Dan Watson
This introduction to the physics of stars is taken primarily by juniors and seniors majoring in physics and astronomy, physics, optics, or mathematics. The elements of radiative transfer and gas dynamics are presented and applied to the study of the atmospheres of stars. The interior structure and evolution of stars of various types are also discussed. Syllabus Link: https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~dmw/astr241/Outline.pdf
ASTR 106-01 Cosmic Origins of Life Adam Frank
A review of the evidence for habitats and the building blocks of life in extraterrestrial space, the possibilities for the development of life elsewhere, and the light that these ideas cast on the origins of life on Earth. We also discuss the future of civilizations like ours, the possibilities of travel to other habitable planets, and communication between advanced cultures spread widely through space. The material we discuss will be drawn very widely from astronomy, physics, geology, chemistry, biology, paleontology and history, presented with a minimum of mathematical complexity.
ASTR 244W-01 Observational Astronomy Kelly Douglass
No description
Thursday
ASTR 106-03 Cosmic Origins of Life - Recitation Adam Frank
No description
Friday
ASTR 241-02 Stellar Astrophysics - Recitation Dan Watson
No description
ASTR 142-02 Elementary Astrophysics (Honors) REC Kelly Douglass
No description