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| Astronomy (School of Science) |
| ASTR-1510 Quasars and Cosmology An introduction to the origin and large-scale structure of the Universe. Topics to be covered include basic principles of general relativity, the Big Bang model of the Universe, formation of the elements, galaxy formation, black holes, and active galactic nuclei. If ASTR-1510 is taken as a 1-credit course, it will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory and it cannot be counted towards the Institute’s baccalaureate requirement of 24 credits in the sciences. If ASTR-1510 is taken as a 2-credit course, it will be graded in the conventional manner. If ASTR-1510 and ASTR-1530 are both taken as graded 2-credit courses, they may be counted together as one 4-credit elective for nonscience majors. Fall term annually. 1 or 2 credit hours |
| ASTR-1530 Tour of the Solar System A survey of the solar system based on recent results from ground-based observations and space probes. Topics to be covered include: the sun, moon, Venus. Mars, the giant planets, comets, and the search for life in the solar system. If ASTR-1530 is taken as a 1-credit course, it will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory, and it cannot be counted towards the Institute’s baccalaureate requirement of 24 credits in the sciences. If ASTR-1530 is taken as a 2-credit course, it will be graded in the conventional manner. If ASTR-1510 and ASTR-1530 are both taken as graded 2-credit courses, they may be counted together as one 4-credit elective for nonscience majors. Spring term annually. 1 or 2 credit hours |
| ASTR-1960 Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 credit hour |
| ASTR-2050 Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics Astronomy for students with a background of college mathematics and physics. Stellar astronomy, the interstellar medium, the Milky Way system, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Prerequisites: MATH-1020 and PHYS-1200. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-2120 Earth and Sky An introduction to astronomy from an observational perspective. Students will learn the basics of observing the night-time sky, both with the unaided eye and through telescopic observation. Observations of Earth from orbiting satellites will also be discussed. The course is suitable for nonphysics and nonscience majors as well as those committed to specialization in Astronomy. Includes evening laboratory sessions. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-2940 Special Projects in Astronomy Study and research in various fields of astronomy to demonstrate interest in and ability for independent work. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Fall and spring terms annually. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-4120 Observational Astronomy An introduction to astronomical observing techniques and instrumentation. Optical telescope design. Observatory site selection. Telescopes above the atmosphere. Imaging techniques: photography, charge-coupled devices. Optical photometry, spectroscopy and polarimetry, and their applications. Infrared techniques and applications. Radio astronomy. Includes evening laboratory sessions. Prerequisite: ASTR-2050 or permission of instructor. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-4220 Astrophysics A survey course in modern astrophysics with emphasis on relevant physical concepts. Topics include radiation transport and spectral line formation, structure and evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, nonthermal sources of radiation, and high energy astrophysics. Prerequisites: PHYS-2510 and PHYS-4420 or equivalent. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-4230 Frontiers in Astrophysics An in-depth treatment of topics of current interest in astrophysics. The topic(s) selected may vary with each offering. Examples include galactic dust, astrophysical radiation hydrodynamics, physics of star formation, galactic dynamics. (Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ASTR-6230.) Prerequisite: ASTR-4220. Spring term alternate years. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-4240 Gravitation and Cosmology Introduction to the physics of gravitation and spacetime with an emphasis on cosmological applications. Special relativity, tensor calculus, and relativistic electrodynamics. Einstein’s field equations and testable predictions. Gravitational lensing. Gravitational radiation. The physics of black holes. The Big Bang model of the Universe and relevant observations. Prerequisite: PHYS-2330 or permission of instructor. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-4250 Interstellar Medium Thermal structure and dynamics of the interstellar medium. Topics include diffuse nebulae, composition of interstellar dust and relation to extinction and polarization, molecules and interstellar chemistry, physics of star-forming regions. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ASTR-6250. Prerequisite: ASTR-4220. Fall term alternate years. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-4510 Origin of Life: A Cosmic Perspective To understand the origin of life is a fundamental goal of science. We discuss evidence for important prebiotic molecules in the clouds from which new planetary systems are born, and compare cosmic and terrestrial sources of such molecules on the primitive Earth. The course is multidisciplinary, covering topics in physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences, and biology. Prerequisite: ASTR-2050 or permission of instructor. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-4900 Astrophysics Undergraduate Seminar Discussion of topics in the current astrophysical literature. Each student is required to give one oral presentation based on a paper or group of papers. Prerequisite: junior standing or higher, or permission of instructor. Fall and spring terms annually. 1 credit hour |
| ASTR-4940 Special Projects in Astronomy Study and research in various fields of astronomy to demonstrate interest in and ability for independent work. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Fall and spring terms annually. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-4960 Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics 4 credit hours |
| ASTR-6230 Frontiers in Astrophysics An in-depth treatment of topics of current interest in astrophysics. The topic(s) selected may vary with each offering. Examples include galactic dust, astrophysical radiation hydrodynamics, physics of star formation, galactic dynamics. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ASTR-4230. Prerequisite: ASTR-4220. Spring term alternate years. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-6250 Interstellar Medium Thermal structure and dynamics of the interstellar medium. Topics include diffuse nebulae, composition of interstellar dust and relation to extinction and polarization, molecules and interstellar chemistry, physics of star-forming regions. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ASTR-4250. Prerequisite: ASTR-4220. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-6900 Astrophysics Seminar Discussion of topics in the current astrophysical literature. Each student is required to give an oral presentation based on a paper or group of papers. For graduate students only. Fall and spring terms annually. 1 credit hour |
| ASTR-6940 Readings in Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 credit hours |
| ASTR-6960 Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supervised reading and study in various fields of astrophysics. 3 credit hours |
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St., Troy, NY 12180. (518) 276-6000 Please direct questions regarding this site to catalog@rpi.edu. |