Academic Calendar - 2024
Western University Academic Calendar. - 2024
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.
Extra Information: The equivalent of 3 lecture hours per week. Offered only online (see Western Distance Studies).
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 1.00
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An introduction to the intersection between Indigenous and Western astronomy, particularly as it relates to naked-eye observations of the night sky; using astronomy as a gateway to learn more about Indigenous culture, history, and the process of decolonization and reconciliation.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This course introduces current scientific thinking on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence. It is suitable for non-science students. 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.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. This course cannot be used for credit in any Physics and Astronomy module other than the Minor in Conceptual Astronomy.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This course is designed as an introduction to current ideas about the universe. It is suitable for non-science students. Topics include the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background, origin of elements, and origin of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems.
Antirequisite(s): Astronomy 4602A/B, Earth Sciences 1086F/G.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours. This course cannot be used for credit in any Physics and Astronomy module other than the Minor in Conceptual Astronomy.
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Prerequisite(s): (Physics 1202A/B or Physics 1402A/B or Physics 1502A/B, or the former Physics 1029A/B or the former Physics 1302A/B); (Calculus 1000A/B or Calculus 1500A/B or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1412A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1412A/B) and (Calculus 1501A/B, or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 60% or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1414A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1414A/B), or the former Applied Mathematics 1413. Integrated Science 1001X with a minimum mark of 60% can be used in place of Physics 1202A/B and Calculus 1301A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Prerequisite(s): (Physics 1202A/B or Physics 1402A/B or Physics 1502A/B, or the former Physics 1029A/B or the former Physics 1302A/B); (Calculus 1000A/B or Calculus 1500A/B or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1412A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1412A/B) and (Calculus 1501A/B, or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 60% or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1414A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1414A/B), or the former Applied Mathematics 1413. Integrated Science 1001X with a minimum mark of 60% can be used in place of Physics 1202A/B and Calculus 1301A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, Physics 2102A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
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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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, Physics 2102A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Internal structure of stars; stellar evolution; stellar atmospheres; the formation of stars.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and Physics 2102A/B, or the former Physics 2128A/B and the former Physics 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and Physics 2102A/B, or the former Physics 2128A/B and the former Physics 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Extra Information: The equivalent of 3 lecture hours per week. Offered only online (see Western Distance Studies).
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 1.00
Return to top
An introduction to the intersection between Indigenous and Western astronomy, particularly as it relates to naked-eye observations of the night sky; using astronomy as a gateway to learn more about Indigenous culture, history, and the process of decolonization and reconciliation.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
This course introduces current scientific thinking on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence. It is suitable for non-science students. 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.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. This course cannot be used for credit in any Physics and Astronomy module other than the Minor in Conceptual Astronomy.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
This course is designed as an introduction to current ideas about the universe. It is suitable for non-science students. Topics include the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background, origin of elements, and origin of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems.
Antirequisite(s): Astronomy 4602A/B, Earth Sciences 1086F/G.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours. This course cannot be used for credit in any Physics and Astronomy module other than the Minor in Conceptual Astronomy.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): (Physics 1202A/B or Physics 1402A/B or Physics 1502A/B, or the former Physics 1029A/B or the former Physics 1302A/B); (Calculus 1000A/B or Calculus 1500A/B or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1412A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1412A/B) and (Calculus 1501A/B, or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 60% or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1414A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1414A/B), or the former Applied Mathematics 1413. Integrated Science 1001X with a minimum mark of 60% can be used in place of Physics 1202A/B and Calculus 1301A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): (Physics 1202A/B or Physics 1402A/B or Physics 1502A/B, or the former Physics 1029A/B or the former Physics 1302A/B); (Calculus 1000A/B or Calculus 1500A/B or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1412A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1412A/B) and (Calculus 1501A/B, or Calculus 1301A/B with a minimum mark of 60% or Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1414A/B or the former Applied Mathematics 1414A/B), or the former Applied Mathematics 1413. Integrated Science 1001X with a minimum mark of 60% can be used in place of Physics 1202A/B and Calculus 1301A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, Physics 2102A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B, Physics 2102A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
Internal structure of stars; stellar evolution; stellar atmospheres; the formation of stars.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and Physics 2102A/B, or the former Physics 2128A/B and the former Physics 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.
Course Weight: 0.50
Return to top
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.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 2101A/B and Physics 2102A/B, or the former Physics 2128A/B and the former Physics 2129A/B; Calculus 2503A/B.
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours. Typically offered in alternate years only.