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Academic Calendar 2015 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
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UNDERGRADUATE SESSIONAL DATES
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ACADEMIC INFORMATION
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UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION
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GLOSSARY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Astronomy (S)
1011A/B10212021A/B2022A/B2201A/B2232F/G2801A/B3302A/B
4101A/B4602A/B
Astronomy 1011A/B - Essentials of Modern Astronomy
An overview of modern astronomical topics including the formation, structure, and evolution of stars, planetary and stellar systems, galaxies, and the Universe.
Antirequisite(s): Astronomy 1021
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: The equivalent of 3 lecture hours per week. Offered only online (see Western Distance Studies); 0.5 course.
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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): Astronomy 1011A/B.
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
This course is designed for non-science students as 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): Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B, 1501A/B or the former Physics 1020, 1024, 1026.
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course. 
May not be taken for credit by students in the Faculty of Science.
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Astronomy 2022A/B - The Origin of the Universe
This course is designed for non-science students as 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.
Antirequisite(s): Earth Sciences 1086F/G, Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B, 1501A/B or the former Physics 1020, 1024, 1026.
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
May not be taken for credit by students in the Faculty of Science.
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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.
Prerequisite(s): (Physics 1028A/B or 1301A/B or 1401A/B or 1501A/B) and (Physics 1029A/B or 1302A/B or 1402A/B or 1502A/B), or the former Physics 1020 or 1024 or 1026; Calculus 1000A/B or 1100A/B or 1500A/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.
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.
Typically offered in alternate years only.
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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 1028A/B or 1301A/B or 1401A/B or 1501A/B) and (Physics 1029A/B or 1302A/B or 1402A/B or 1502A/B), or the former Physics 1020 or 1024 or 1026; Calculus 1000A/B or 1100A/B or 1500A/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 4101A/B - Stellar Astrophysics
Internal structure of stars; stellar evolution; stellar atmospheres; the formation of stars.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B, or Physics 2128A/B and 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
Typically offered in alternate 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 applications to black holes, cosmology, and the early universe.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B, or Physics 2128A/B and 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
Typically offered in alternate years only.
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Academic Calendar 2015 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
Decision Academic