ASTR 360 (Introduction to Astrophysics: Galaxies and Cosmology) and ASTR 350 (Stars) provide a year-long introduction to the branch of physics that deals with celestial objects. The courses may be taken in either order. Both are required for the BS degree in Astrophysics and the BA in Astronomy. Most majors take these courses as juniors; however, it is not uncommon to have sophomores in the class, as well as seniors from majors outside physics. The graduate level version of these courses is 451 and 452. ASTR 350 and ASTR 360 prepare our majors for these graduate courses, which are standard at colleges throughout the country.
ASTR 360 covers fundamental astrophysical concepts related to the study of galaxies and cosmology. The course begins with a detailed study of the structure and kinematics/dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy, then progresses to outline key features of nearby galaxies, both spirals and ellipticals, and a brief introduction to galactic evolution. The course then addresses extragalactic distance scales, and the large scale structure and expansion of the universe, in preparation for the cosmology component in the latter half of the semester. Exotic constituents of the distant universe are then studied, specifically active galaxies, including blazars and quasars, and the unification scheme for such energetic systems that are powered by supermassive black holes. There is also a brief exposition on the topical gamma-ray bursts. The lectures then proceed to the cosmological emphasis in the course, starting with the cosmological principle, and then outlining the essential characteristics of Newtonian cosmology, and shortly thereafter, relativistic cosmology resulting from the Robertson-Walker metric. Implications of observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation are discussed, highlighting the recent watershed results from the WMAP mission. This couples to other elements of observational cosmology, and focuses on the evidence for an accelerating universe and the presence of "dark energy" and dark matter. The course concludes with material on the thermal history of the universe, primordial nucleosynthesis, the formation of large scale structure, and a brief foray into the theoretical world of inflation.
ASTR 360 uses concepts about stellar physics that are covered in Astronomy 350, yet ASTR 350 is not a prerequisite. Nonetheless, students who have not taken ASTR 350 or a similar course should study carefully Chapters 3 (stellar magnitudes, blackbody radiation and atomic spectral lines) and 8 (stellar spectral classification and the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram) in the text early on in the semester. These topics are basic to substantial parts of the course and will be reviewed only briefly, during the first class. For a more extensive outline of the material covered in the lectures, go to The Universe page.
Unfortunately, complete mathematical rigor is not possible, since much of the physics and mathematics needed to study astrophysics you learn as juniors and seniors. However, I will endeavour to present as clear and complete a picture as possible given the time constraints of the course.