PHYS - 390. Principles of Astrophysics I

3 credit(s)
Astrophysics is the application of physical principles to astronomical systems. Astrophysicists use their knowledge of physics to explain observations of astronomical phenomena, drawing upon a wide range of subjects in physics, including classical mechanics, quantum and atomic physics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, chemistry, and nuclear physics, among others. In this two semester introduction to astrophysics students will learn how to use a variety of physical principles to understand the characteristics and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies and the Universe as a whole. In this course the thematic focus will be on gravity, which is the dominant force in many astronomical systems. Among the topics we will explore include planetary and binary star systems, supermassive black holes, spiral and elliptical galaxies, dark matter, gravitational lensing, and geometry and cosmic expansion history of the Universe.

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 120 or PHYS 140
Equivalent: (Same as ASTR 390)
Attribute: ARTS, PHEL