518. Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques (3) I 2001-02 For a description of course topics, see 418. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper. (Identical with PTYS 518) May be convened with 418.
Last taught by:  George Rieke, Gary Schmidt
Class Web Site

522. Atomic and Molecular Astrophysics (3) I 2000-01 Interpretation of astronomical spectra: basic aspects of atomic and molecular spectra and processes that enable one to infer physical conditions in astronomical environments from analysis of their electromagnetic spectra. Familiarity with basic quantum mechanics is assumed.
Last taught by: Lucy Ziurys, Peter Strittmatter

535. Stellar Structure (3) II 2001-02 Equations of stellar structure, virial theorem, energy transport, equations of state, opacities, nuclear reactions, stellar models, evolution of low and high mass stars, observational tests, rotation and magnetic fields, binary evolution.
Last taught by:  Dave Arnett, Jim Liebert
Class web site

540. Structure and Dynamics of Galaxies (3) I 2000-01 Observational properties of galaxies; structure, kinematics, star and gas content. Structure of our own galaxy. Dynamics of stellar systems: equilibria, instabilities, internally and externally driven evolution.
Last taught by:  Dennis Zaritsky, Romeel Dave
Class Web Site

541. Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology (3) II 2000-01 The structure, origin and evolution of the physical universe from theory and observations of systems outside our own galaxy. Relativistic cosmology; galaxy evolution and clustering; active galaxies and quasars; the microwave background; galaxy formation; the hot big bang; and physics of the early universe. P, 540.
Last taught by:  Daniel Eisenstein, Romeel Dave
Class Web site

545. Stellar Atmospheres (3) I 2001-02 Radiative transfer, gray atmosphere, opacity, line formation, non-LTE, curves of growth, stellar hydrodynamics, and planetary applications. (Identical with PTYS 545)
Last taught by:  Ivan Hubeny
Class web site

582. High Energy Astrophysics (3) Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars, black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, active galactic nuclei. (Identical with PHYS 582 and PTYS 582)
Last taught by:  Fulvio Melia
Class Web site
Course notes have been published as a book:  http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8964.html

ASTR 519 -- Adaptive Optics  (1 unit)
Description:  An overview of adaptive optics for astronomy and optical sciences grad students. Will cover light propagation through atmospheric turbulence and methods for sensing and correcting wavefront errors. Topics will include laser beacons, multi-conjugate adaptive optics, and exoplanet imaging.
Usually offered:  Spring.

ASTR 537 -- The Physics of the Sun  (3 units)
Description:  The purpose of this course is to present an introduction to the physics of the Sun. The course begins with a discussion of the standard solar model, the solar-neutrino problem, and observational techniques. Long-term variability in the total irradiance, sunspot number, and diameter, and its effect on Earth's climate will be addressed in some detail. Other topics include the physics of the solar interior, solar oscillations, and solar composition. This course will also introduce the equations of magnetohydrodynamics and apply them to important solar-physics problems, such as: the solar magnetic dynamo, stability of prominences, physics of sunspots and flares, and heating of the solar atmosphere. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Usually offered:  Fall.

ASTR 539 -- Methods of Teaching Space Sciences  (3 units)
Description:  Planning and assessment in space science teaching, identification and correction of student misconceptions, management of classroom discourse, and use of technology for data collection and analysis. Graduate level requirements include two additional critical review projects, one of which must be suitable for submission to Astronomy Education Review as a scholarly review.
Usually offered:  Fall.

ASTR 542 -- Mars  (3 units)
Description:  In-depth class about the planet Mars, including origin and evolution, geophysics, geology, atmospheric science, climate change, the search for life, and the history and future of Mars exploration. There will be guest lectures from professors and research scientists with expertise about aspects of Mars. The course will include visits to Mars exploration centers at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, including the operations center for the Gamma Ray Spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars, and an all-day trip to the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, operations center for experiments on the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Exploration Rovers. There will be lots of discussion of recent results and scientific controversies about Mars. Graduate-level requirements include the completion of a research project that will be presented in class as well as a report. The research project could be analysis of Mars datasets, a laboratory experiment, or new theoretical modeling.
Usually offered:  Spring.

ASTR 553 -- Solar System Dynamics  (3 units)
Description:  Dynamical processes affecting the orbital evolution of planets, asteroids, and satellites, and the rotational evolution of solid bodies. Emphasizes modern nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
Usually offered:  Spring.

ASTR 555 -- Teaching College-Level Astronomy and Planetary Science  (1-3 units)
Description:  Students will discuss their current or recent experiences as a student. They will also learn how to create productive learning environments by reviewing research on the nature of teaching and learning; setting course goals and objectives; using interactive lectures, peer instruction, engaging demonstrations, collaborative groups, tutorials, and ranking tasks; and observing other instructors. Students will conduct a collaborative research project of their choosing related to astronomy and space science. The course will culminate with students presenting mock lectures using these techniques. Graduate-level requirements are based a higher level of
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

ASTR 556 -- Teaching College-Level Astronomy & Planetary Science  (1 unit)
Description:  Students will discuss their current or recent experiences as a student. They will also learn how to create productive learning environments by reviewing research on the nature of teaching and learning; setting course goals and objectives; using interactive lectures, peer instruction, engaging demonstrations, collaborative groups, tutorials, and ranking tasks; and observing other instructors. Students will conduct a collaborative research project of their choosing related to astronomy and space science. The course will culminate with students presenting mock lectures using these techniques. Graduate-level requirements include an increased degree of rigor required to earn the same grade. Since graduate students are further along their academic path, the bar is set higher for equal achievement.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

ASTR 557A -- The Anthropology of Astronomy  (3 units)
Temporary course:  offered during Spring 2009 only.
Description:  This course is designed for students who want to add a cultural astronomy component to their undergraduate senior thesis, master�s thesis research, or their dissertation. Cultural astronomy encompasses the fields of astronomy, ethnoastronomy, and archaeoastronomy. This semester we will explore ethnoastronomy (the astronomy beliefs and practices of contemporary cultures); archaeoastronomy (built structures aligned to celestial bodies); and astrology (how the positions of celestial bodies are used to predict human events on Earth). The course emphasizes data collection methods from cultural anthropology, archaeology, historical/archival research, and mathematical calculations. The case studies provide detailed information about the relationship between individual communities and the sky, which can be compared cross-culturally. The course is discussion based, thus you must do the assigned readings. You are required to turn in a 15+ page research paper and to give a 20 minute oral presentation on your research paper. Graduate-level requirements include extra participation in class discussion, five homework assignments, and an individual research papers.

ASTR 558 -- Plasma Physics with Astrophysical and Solar System Applications  (3 units)
Description:  The goal of this course is to present an introduction to fundamental plasma physics and magnetohydrodymics, beginning with kinetic theory. The various important limits including the vlasov equation and magnetohydrodynamics will be derived. Applications will be mostly from astrophysics and the solar system. These will include the main dynamical processes in the solar atmosphere, interplanetary medium, magnetospheres, interstellar medium, blast waves, accretion disks, etc. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Usually offered:  Fall.

ASTR 571 -- General Relativity and Cosmology  (3 units)
Description:  General relativity with application to celestial mechanics, stellar structure, gravitational radiation, black holes, gravitational lensing and cosmology.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

ASTR 579 -- Writing for Astronomers  (3 units)
Description:  The purpose of this class is to strengthen the writing skills of the student along the entire range of writing, from technical scientific writing in astronomy to popular articles about astronomy. It has the secondary purpose of preparing the student for the wide variety of occasions when communication skills, written and verbal, will be required in the professional practice of astronomy.
Usually offered:  Fall.

ASTR 586 -- Astronomy Education and Public Outreach  (3 units)
Description:  The four overarching ideas about astronomy education and public outreach that frame this course can be summarized as: (1) the main conceptual ideas that students and the public need to be engaged in regarding astronomy; (2) a working knowledge of science education research and how people learn astronomy in different venues; (3) the most effective strategies to partner with and disseminate materials to K-14 formal learning entities; and (4) the nature of effective informal free-choice learning environments (including modern museums, planetariums, observatory visitor centers, and science centers). Students will study and apply contemporary learning theory in a variety of learning environments and critically evaluate existing products and programs as preparation for planning and evaluating novel programs. Course is characterized by discussion on assigned readings, mini-lectures, field-trips, evaluation of existing programs, and by creation of new programs. Graduate-level requirements include two additional critical review projects, one of which must be suitable for submission to Astronomy Education Review as a scholarly review.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

ASTR 596B -- Methods in Computational Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  The course is a "hands-on" introduction to computer use for research by scientists in astrophysics and related areas. The course begins with a survey of and introduction to tools available on Linux systems, web-based tools, and open-source software widely used in astrophysics. Standard methods for integration, iteration, differential and difference equations, and Monte Carlo simulations, are discussed, in one to four dimensions. Historically important methods of radiative transfer, reaction networks, and hydrodynamics are presented, and contrasted with presently-used methods. Parallel programming is introduced, and discussed in terms of new and future computer systems. Special topics are added to reflect new developments. The course is task-oriented, with individual and team work projects, and class participation determining grades. Most of the work is done on the student's own personal computer (Linux or Mac operating systems are preferred).
Usually offered:  Spring.

ASTR 596F -- College Astronomy Teaching  (1 unit)
Description:  An overview of the introductory astronomy curriculum, effective teaching approaches that focus on student learning, and appropriate testing and grading methods for students planning on teaching at the collegiate level. Current topics in pedagogical content knowledge are covered in depth, with an emphasis on the undergraduate non-science major.
Usually offered:  Spring, Summer.

ASTR 597A -- Teacher Leaders in Research-Based Science Education  (3 units)
Description:  This course includes a 16 week distant learning course and a two week summer in-residence workshop at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Participants are trained in astronomy content, pedagogy, and leadership skills.
Usually offered:  Spring.