ASTR 1303 - Stars and Galaxies

3 credit hours. 3 lecture hours.

This course is based on the study of stars, galaxies, and the universe outside of our solar system. This course will give the student insights into how the universe came into being; how galaxies are formed; how stars are born, live, and die; how elements are formed; how intergalactic distances are measured; consequences of special and general relativity; what conditions are necessary for extra-terrestrial life; what are dark matter and dark energy; and, how the universe may end. (Cross-listed as PHYS 1303.)

Measurable Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: describe the basic properties of stars: distance, spectral class, motion, magnitude, composition, and parallax; discuss the classification scheme of stars as to spectral classes;  explain the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and how it relates to stellar evolution; to explain the stages of stellar evolution as the birth, life, and death of any size star; explain the interstellar medium and how it relates to atoms, molecules, dust, and nebulae; identify the classification scheme for binary stars, the importance of binary stars to astronomy, and the origin and evolution of binary systems; describe the various types of natural star groupings in our galaxy and how they evolved; describe the structure of our galaxy (both historical and modern) and the galactic coordinate system; and, discuss various cosmological models.