Graduate Level
- ASTR 8001: Order of Magnitude Astrophysics (1 credit hour; Berlind & Holley-Bockelmann)
Starting from basic physical principles, students will learn to make order-of-magnitude estimates on a wide variety of astrophysical problems. Class centers around the students working through problems together, moderated by the instructors. Course can be taken multiple times to develop problem-solving skills, physical intuition, and the ability to improvise. - ASTR 8010: Radiative Processes (3 credit hours; Holley-Bockelmann)
Electromagnetic radiation from astrophysical sources. Radiative transfer; blackbody radiation; atomic and molecular absorption and emission; radiation from moving charges; relativistic beaming; Bremsstrahlung; synchrotron radiation; Compton scattering. - ASTR 8030: Stellar Astrophysics (3 credit hours; Holley-Bockelmann)
The physics of stars. Observations of stellar properties. Equations of stellar structure; equations of state; energy generation by nuclear reactions; heat transfer by radiation, conduction and convection; opacity sources. Stellar evolution. Numerical stellar models. - ASTR 8040: The Structure and Dynamics of Galaxies (3 credit hours; Holley-Bockelmann)
The stellar, gaseous, and dark matter content of galaxies, their internal bulk properties, structure, kinematics and dynamics. Equilibrium and stability of stellar systems. Orbit theory, the gravitational N-body problem, relaxation, dynamical friction and the Fokker-Planck equation. Galaxy evolution from the standpoint of stellar populations, the initial mass function, chemical evolution and galaxy interactions. - ASTR 8060: Methods in Observational and Computational Astronomy (3 credit hours; Runnoe)
Principles and techniques including accurate measurement of astronomical distance, data handling and error analysis, computer programming. Four to six experiments such as determination of Earth’s radius, distance to the Moon, refraction by the atmosphere, distance to a star cluster. Scheduled evening sessions at Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. - ASTR 8070: Astro-statistics (3 credit hours; Taylor)
Statistical and computational techniques for data-mining and inference in an astronomical context. Probability theory, comparison of frequentist and Bayesian inference. Strategies for data exploration and visualization. Approaches to regression, parameter estimation, and model selection (e.g. Markov chain Monte Carlo). Overview of time-series analysis and deep-learning techniques. - ASTR 8080: Astronomical Techniques: Data Mining in Large Astronomical Surveys (3 credit hours; Runnoe)
The manipulation and analysis of catalog-level data from large astronomical surveys. Survey observations, cross-matching catalogs, statistical analysis, version control. Emphasis on development of code and best practices. - ASTR 8090: Relativistic Astrophysics (3 credit hours; Taylor)
Studying the Universe through the extreme relativistic environments of neutron stars and black holes, along with the gravitational waves they produce. Differential geometry, spacetime curvature, the Einstein Field Equations, the Schwarzschild Metric for black holes, production and detection of Gravitational Waves, and the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric for cosmology.
Undergraduate Level
- ASTR 1010: Introduction to Astronomy (3 credit hours)
This is a general introductory astronomy course intended primarily for non-science majors. This course explores the Universe with a focus on the physical processes that have led to the evolution of life on Earth. A separate course (Astro 201) focuses on the solar system in detail. Students interested in a more rigorous, math- and physics-based introdution to astrophysics are encouraged to take Astro 175. - ASTR 1010L: Introductory Astronomy Lab (1 credit hour)
This is a lab attachment to ASTR 1010 but does not have to be taken simultaneously. The lab meets once a week for 3 hours to work on either computer-based or observing labs. The aims of this class is to gain a familiarity with the night sky, perform observations of planets and stars, and to learn how astronomers may draw conclusions from and figure out the limitations of observations. - ASTR 2110: The Solar System (3 credit hours)
This course presents a thorough overview of the solar system. For the most part, the material is qualitative and factual. While there are some equations and quantitative descriptions, these are so few and basic so as not to be a major challenge to non-physics majors.Topics covered include the formation of the solar system [nebular theory], the Sun as our star, the planets: including an historical overview of the how and why of their observation – Kepler’s laws, distances and masses, terrestrial planets: their atmospheres and physical properties, Jovian planets: atmospheres, structures and magnetic fields, comets and asteroids, and extra-solar planets. - ASTR 2130: Theories of the Universe (3 credit hours; Weintraub)
This course is about the trial of Galileo Galilei by the Roman Inquisition in 1633. In order to understand why Galileo was on trial and to discuss and evaluate both the cases for the prosecution and for the defense, we must understand Galileo’s astronomy and why his astronomy was an issue for the Roman Catholic Church. Hence, the class begins by looking at the interdependence of cosmological theories and religious teachings from the eighth century B.C.E. to the middle of the seventeenth century via examination of scientific works and religious texts, including those of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Copernicus, Luther, and Galileo. - ASTR 3000: Principles of Astrophysics (3 credit hours)
This is an introductory astrophysics course intended for physics majors (especially those on the astronomy/astrophysics track), astronomy minors, other science and engineering majors, or any student interested in a rigorous, math- and physics-based introduction to astronomy. Prerequisites are one semester each of college-level physics and calculus. Students who do not meet these prerequisites are encouraged to take Astro 102. - ASTR 3700: Galactic Astrophysics (3 credit hours; Holley-Bockelmann)
See ASTR 8040 for description. - ASTR 3900: Gravitational Astrophysics: General Relativity & Cosmology (3 credit hours; Taylor)
See ASTR 8090 for description.