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Disclaimer: The course information below is current as of Sep 29, 2009, is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a legal contract between the University of Utah and any person or entity.
This Web document is updated twice a year, on or about the first day of registration for Fall and Spring semesters.
1050 The Solar System
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 1050.
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration.
Astronomy--from ancient to modern times. Central theme will be the attempt to understand the nature and origin of our solar system starting with early ideas of the cosmos, proceeding through investigations that led to the scientific revolution of the 17th century and culminating with the observations and discoveries made by the 20th-century space program. Topics will include apparent motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars; seasons and eclipses; principles of light and telescopes. Films of the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, Galileo, and Pathfinder missions and the latest Hubble images will be included.
1060 The Universe
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 1060.
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration.
Modern astronomy--central theme will be modern science's attempt to understand the nature and origin of the universe at large, including the matter and radiation that make it up. Specific topics include stars, exotic stellar objects (white dwarfs, red giants, neutron stars and black holes), supernova explosions, the origin of atomic elements, galaxies, giant radio sources, quasars, clusters of galaxies, the fabric of space and time, and Big Bang cosmology.
1080 Does Extraterrestrial Intelligence Exist?
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 1080.
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration.
Most arguments for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) rest on the Principle of Mediocrity, which asserts that on the cosmic scale there is nothing special about either the earth or the human beings who inhabit it- so intelligent extraterrestrials ought to exist. We will discuss the possibility of finding them by radio searches currently in progress, or by direct contact via future space exploration. If we're nothing special, then ETIs should have developed millions of solar systems long before ours did and the presence should already be known to us. Yet, we've never seen a single shred of evidence to support the existence of ETI, so where are they? This seemingly innocuous question represents a paradox whose scientific and philosophical implications will be fully explored. We will make reasonable estimates of the number of ETIs that co-inhabit our galaxy based upon our current understanding of cosmology, stellar and planetary evolution, anthropology, the nature of life, and evolutionary processes that have produced the human species, the probable sociology and philosophy of intelligent civilizations, and the possible evolution of noncarbon-based ETI. If we conclude that the number of ETIs is small then we must explain the uniqueness of our existence, given the Principle of Mediocrity. But, if we conclude that the number is large, then we must ask the question, so where are they? Either conclusion has profound consequences for the continued existence of the human species. All speculation is based on sound scientific principles and current theories and facts drawn from a highly diverse set of scientific principles.
2060 Popular Observational Astronomy
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 2060.
This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical and radio astronomy. Using the facilities at the University of Utah Observatory, we will explore the cosmos and study the Sun, planets, asteroids, stars and galaxies. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine such things as the mass of jupiter as well as the ages of stars.
3060 Intro to Astrophysics
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 3060.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 or equivalent. Recommended Prerequisite: PHYS 3760, 4420, 3740, or equivalent.
An introductory course in astrophysics including observational astronomy (celestial coordinates, astronomical instruments, stellar magnitudes and spectra) and stellar astrophysics (radiation and energy transport, stellar evolution, star formation). Discusses novae and supernovae, white dwarves, neutron stars, and black holes. The course will introduce concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and general relativity as needed to help explore the course topics.
4060 Observational Astronomy for Scientists
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 4060.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with computers, PHYS 1060 or PHYS 1070, and PHYS 2220.
This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical and radio astronomy. Using the facilities at the University of Utah Observatory, we will explore the cosmos and study the Sun, planets, asteroids, stars and galaxies. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine such things as the mass of jupiter as well as the ages of stars.
4080 Introduction to Cosmology
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 4080.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 or equiv, PHYS 3760, 4420, 3740 or equivalent.
An introductory course which explores modern cosmological concepts. Discusses formation of galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, the expansion and the age of the Universe. Topics include the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, the origin of the light elements, cosmological inflation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the formation and expansion of the Universe. The course will introduce concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special and general relativity as needed to explore the course topics.
5580 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology (Honors)
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 5580.
Prerequisite: MKTG 3000, 3010 or 3011 and 4500.
A core course that explores modern cosmological concepts. Develops a mathematical formalism necessary to understand the formation of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, large scale structure and the expansion and the age of the Universe. Topics include the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, the origin of the light elements, cosmological inflation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the formation and expansion of the Universe.
5590 Stellar Astrophysics and Compact Objects (Honors)
(3) Cross listed as PHYS 5590.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3740, 3760, 4410, 4420 and MATH 2250 or equivalent.
A core course which develops a physical methodology to understand the origin and evolution of stars. Discusses formation of stars, stellar evolution, star clusters, novae and supernovae, white dwarves, neutron stars, and black holes. Topics include Cepheid variables, Wolf-Rayet Stars, binary stellar systems and accretion disks.
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