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Academic Calendar 2009 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS




Astronomy (S)

Note:  In order to find a course in the new 4 digit numbering system using an old 3 digit number, please refer to the conversion list below. Before registering for courses with the new 4 digit numbering system, please ensure that you have not previously taken the course in its 3 digit form.

Click here for conversion list of former 3-digit course numbers.

Astronomy 1021 - General Astronomy
A general survey of astronomy including: the solar system and its constituents; stars, their basic properties and evolution; systems of stars including clusters, the milky way, and other galaxies; the universe, its past, present and future structure; astronomical instruments; topics of current interest including pulsars, quasars, black holes.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 1.0 course.
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Astronomy 2021A/B - The Search for Life in the Universe
An introduction to current scientific thinking on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence. Ideas, observations, and experiments from the frontiers of many areas of science converge in this unique interdisciplinary field. Emphasis will be on topics of current interest, including searches for life in our Solar System, detection of extrasolar planets, and the origins of life on Earth.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s):
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Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 2022A/B - The Origin of the Universe
An introduction to current ideas about the universe. Topics include the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background, origin of elements, and origin of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. Emphasis is placed on recent and upcoming results from the new generation of ground and space based observatories. Suitable for non-science students.
Antirequisite(s): Earth Sciences 1086F/G.
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 2201A/B - The Solar System
Celestial mechanics; dynamics of the Earth; the Earth-Moon System; planets, including atmospheres and interiors; satellites; comets; meteors; the interplanetary medium; origin and evolution of the solar system.
Antirequisite(s): Astronomy 2232F/G or the former Astronomy 221a/b, 231F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 1020 or 1024 or 1026; Calculus 1000A/B or 1100A/B, and Calculus 1501A/B (or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 85%).
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 2232F/G - Sun, Earth, and Planets
A survey of the contents of the solar system and space science phenomena, with emphasis on processes that are common to planets and solar system bodies. Advances in solar system understanding and space science will be highlighted with particular attention to recent results from space missions and contemporary ground-based observations.
Antirequisite(s): Astronomy 2201A/B, the former Astronomy 221a/b, 231F/G
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 university course in Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences or Physics.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 2801A/B - Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology
The sun; stars, including distances, magnitude scale, interiors and evolution; binary stars; white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; supernovae; the Milky Way Galaxy; the interstellar medium; external galaxies; Hubble's Law; large-scale structure of the universe; the Big Bang, and the early universe.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Physics 1020 or 1024 or 1026; Calculus 1000A/B or 1100A/B, and Calculus 1501A/B (or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 85%).
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 3302A/B - The Interstellar Medium
Introduction to the nature and physics of interstellar matter. Topics covered include a wide range of microscopic and macroscopic physical processes that determine the properties, dynamics, and behaviour of the interstellar medium. Emphasis on the underlying (astro)physical concepts, and their connections to actual astronomical observations of the interstellar medium.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 2201A/B, 2801A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 3501A/B - Observational Astronomy
Practical experience in using tools of modern observational astronomy, including observing projects. Astronomical software and web-based resources may be used. Lectures emphasize interpretation of motions of objects in the sky, as well as principles of observational techniques and telescopic instrumentation.
Antirequisite(s): The former Astronomy 222a/b.
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 2201A/B and 2801A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 4101A/B - Stellar Astrophysics
Internal structure of stars; stellar evolution; stellar atmospheres; the formation of stars.
Antirequisite(s): The former Astronomy 321a/b.  
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
Offered even-numbered years only.
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Astronomy 4602A/B - Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology
Introduction to gravity in astrophysics. Application of Newtonian gravitation to basic galactic dynamics and galactic structure. An introduction to general relativity with application to black holes, cosmology, and the early universe.
Antirequisite(s): The former Astronomy 332a/b.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
Offered in odd-numbered years only.
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Academic Calendar 2009 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
Decision Academic