Rice Course Schedule, Fall 2003
Astronomy (ASTR)

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NOTE: Course web pages are available for some ASTR courses.

ASTR 100   EXPLORING THE COSMOS                     Credits 1.00  Fall 03
Introduction to concepts and methods used in astronomy and astrophysics, with a
theme of "Astrobiology - Life in the Universe."  Will include student
presentations and web page development.  For first-year students intending to
major in science or engineering.  Corequisite: PHYS 102 or PHYS 112
001 TBA - TBA                           Dufour, Reginald J.       Enr: 9 Max: NA

ASTR 201   STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE UNIVERSE        Credits 3.00  Fall 03
* DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
* RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
An introductory course for students in academic programs.  The formation,
evolution, and death of stars; the composition and evolution of galaxies; the
structure and evolution of the universe.
001 SS 106 - TTH 01:00PM - 02:20PM      Oberlack, Uwe             Enr: 49 Max: NA

ASTR 202   EXPLORATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM          Credits 3.00  Fall 03
* DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
* RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
An introductory course for students in academic programs, surveying the sun,
planetary motions, interplanetary fields and plasmas, the planets, their
satellites and rings, and comets.  The purposes and methods of manned and
unmanned solar system exploration are also discussed
001 HB 227 - MWF 10:00AM - 10:50AM      Reiff, Patricia H.        Enr: 73 Max: 0

ASTR 221   OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY                  Credits 1.00  Fall 03
Use of small telescopes and binoculars to study constellations, bright stars,
planets and the sun at the campus observatory and at dark-sky sites. Modern
analog and digital techniques will be used along with direct visual
observation. Intended for students in academic programs.  Prerequisites: One of
ASTR 100, ASTR 201, ASTR 202
Prereq- One of ASTR 100, ASTR 201, ASTR 202
001 TBA - TBA                           Dufour, Reginald J.       Enr: 3 Max: NA

ASTR 350   INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS - STARS     Credits 3.00  Fall 03
An introduction to celestial mechanics, radiative transfer, stellar structure,
and stellar remnants (including black holes and neutron stars). Aspects of
planetary science and solar system formation may also be explored.  Together,
ASTR 350 and ASTR 360 provide a comprehensive survey of modern astrophysics
needed for senior research and graduate study in astronomy.  Either ASTR 350 or
360 may be taken first.  Prerequisite: MATH 211.  Corequisite: PHYS 202 or CHEM
312.
001 HB 453 - TTH 10:50AM - 12:05PM      Baring, Matthew G.        Enr: 8 Max: 0

ASTR 400   UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR           Credits 1.00  Fall 03
Seminar on current research topics in astronomy, astrophysics, and space
physics for juniors and seniors.  Students will be expected to give one oral
presentation each semester.  May be repeated for credit.
001 HB 227 - W 12:00PM - 12:50PM        Johns-Krull, Christopher  Enr: 3 Max: 0

ASTR 451   ASTROPHYSICS I: SUN AND STARS            Credits 3.00  Fall 03
Undergraduate version of Astr 551.  Prerequisites: ASTR 350 or ASTR 360 and
PHYS 301 and 302.
001 HB 254 - TTH 09:25AM - 10:40AM      Johns-Krull, Christopher  Enr: 3 Max: 0

ASTR 470   SOLAR SYSTEM PHYSICS                     Credits 3.00  Fall 03
The Sun, solar-terrestrial relationships, solar wind; planetary atmospheres,
ionospheres and magnetospheres.  Prerequisites: ASTR 350 or ASTR 360 and PHYS
301 and 302.
ASTR 350 or 360; PHYS 301,302.
001 HB B01 - TTH 10:50AM - 12:05PM      Cloutier, Paul A.         Enr: 10 Max: 0

ASTR 500   GRADUATE SEMINAR                         Credits 1.00  Fall 03
A presentation of current research programs in the department.  Course may be
repeated for credit.
001 HB 227 - W 12:00PM - 12:50PM        Johns-Krull, Christopher  Enr: 3 Max: 0

ASTR 542   NEBULAR ASTROPHYSICS                     Credits 3.00  Fall 03
The physics of emission nebulae, including radiative transfer,
photoionization
and thermal equilibria, and internal gaseous
dynamics. Physical processes in
the insterstellar medium.
001 TBA - TBA                           Hartigan, Patrick M.      Enr: 3 Max: NA

ASTR 551   ASTROPHYSICS I: SUN AND STARS            Credits 3.00  Fall 03
Physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres; solar phenomena.  Concepts of
stellar evolution.
001 HB 254 - TTH 09:25AM - 10:40AM      Johns-Krull, Christopher  Enr: 4 Max: 0

ASTR 600   ADVANCED TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS          Credits 3.00  Fall 03
Lecture/seminars which treat topics of departmental interest. Not offered every
year.
001 TBA - TBA                           Liang, Edison P.          Enr: 1 Max: NA