Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. 3 credit(s) This course provides a hands-on, project-based introduction to the tools and techniques used to acquire and analyze astronomical data. Topics covered include: introduction to the techniques of gathering and analyzing astronomical data; telescope design and optics; instrumentation for imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy; astronomical detectors; image processing and data visualization; error analysis and curve fitting; data analysis and astrophysical interpretation. Lab fee.