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Academic Calendar 2016 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
INTRODUCTION
UNDERGRADUATE SESSIONAL DATES
STUDENT SERVICES
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
FACULTIES
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION
FACULTY MEMBERS
AFFILIATED UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
GLOSSARY
NEW MODULES/PROGRAMS
FIRST YEAR UPDATES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Astronomy (S)
1011A/B10212021A/B2022A/B2201A/B2232F/G2801A/B3302A/B
3303A/B4101A/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 - Planetary Systems
An examination of planets and their environments, both in our own Solar System and in planetary systems around other stars. Celestial mechanics; dynamics of the Earth; the Earth-Moon System; planets, including atmospheres and interiors; satellites; comets; meteors; the interplanetary medium; detection, origin and evolution of planetary systems.
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); 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, Earth Sciences 2232F/G; the former Planetary Science 3380A/B, and the former Earth Sciences 2001F/G.
Prerequisite(s):
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 - Observing the Stars
The properties of stars, the building blocks of the universe, and how we obtain their characteristics. The night sky, coordinates, detectors, telescopes, stellar magnitudes and fluxes, spectra, interaction of light and matter, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, stellar evolution, and the Sun. Introduction to astrophysics, order of magnitude estimates, astronomical nomenclature and observations.
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); 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, 1 tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
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Astronomy 3302A/B - Astrophysics of Interstellar Space
The physics of interstellar space- the gas, dust, electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, and magnetic fields- present between the stars in a galaxy and between galaxies. Star formation, the interaction of light and matter, and the physical processes that determine the properties, dynamics, and behavior of the interstellar medium.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, 2102A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours, 0.5 course. Typically offered in alternate years only.
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Astronomy 3303A/B - Galaxies
Introduction to galaxies, including the Milky Way. Galaxy components and their variation with galaxy location, shape, and age; the distribution of galaxies in space and time; interpretation of observational data to derive physical properties of galaxies.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, 2102A/B.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours, 0.5 course. Typically offered in alternate years only.
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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 2016 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Astronomy (S)
Decision Academic