College of Arts & Sciences

Astronomy

Chair James Jackson

Director of Undergraduate Studies Jeffrey Hughes

Professors Bania, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clarke, Clemens, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Spence

Associate Professors Brainerd, Oppenheim, Schwadron

Assistant Professor Blanton

Research Professors Crooker, Goodrich, Lyon, Quinn, Siscoe

Associate Research Professor Cook

Associated Faculty Oliver (College of Engineering), Semeter (College of Engineering)

The Department of Astronomy provides a range of courses and programs for students planning careers in astronomy, space science, or related fields as well as for those wishing a non-technical introduction to this exciting field of science. A concentration in astronomy or in astronomy and physics includes a rigorous program of physics and calculus in addition to courses in astronomy. The geophysics and planetary science concentration is a multidisciplinary program including astronomy, earth science, physics, and calculus courses. A BA in astronomy, astronomy and physics, or geophysics and planetary science prepares students for immediate employment or further study leading to research and teaching positions in astrophysics, geophysics, and space science, or careers in science education, science management, scientific computing, or science writing.

Facilities for student observing and instruction are maintained at the Judson Boardman Coit Observatory on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences building and elsewhere within the department. On-site telescopes include a 6.5" refractor, five portable 8" reflectors, a 10" reflector, a 14" reflector, a spectroscopic telescope, and a small radio telescope. The department maintains a comprehensive astronomical research library that includes sky surveys and subscriptions to more than 50 scientific journals.

The department’s computer network connects well over one hundred local workstations to the University’s supercomputers and other computing resources.

The Department of Astronomy is a vigorous research department which takes pride in the quality of its undergraduate teaching. Most students concentrating in astronomy participate in faculty research projects throughout their undergraduate program.

Students are welcome to enroll in independent study courses (CAS AS 491 and CAS AS 492) in their junior and senior years, and qualified seniors are encouraged to enroll in two semesters of independent study leading to a degree with distinction (CAS AS 401 and CAS AS 402).

Faculty research interests include observational and theoretical studies in galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, magnetospheric and ionospheric physics, planetary studies, and solar system plasma physics. Faculty and students carry out observational programs at the Perkins 72" telescope of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and department members are regular guest observers at a number of national research facilities. Both undergraduate and graduate students are actively involved in research programs using space probes, satellites, and sounding rockets.

Concentration in Astronomy (1911)

Advisors  Professors Bania, Blanton, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clarke, Clemens, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Schwadron, Spence

Principal Courses CAS AS 202, 203, 311, 312, 441; CAS MA 123, 124 (or both replaced by 127), 225; CAS PY 211, 212 (or 251, 252), 313 (or 354); and at least four courses from the following list: CAS AS 413, 414, 491 (or 492 but not both); CAS PY 355, 405, 408, 410, and 451.

Recommended  Any from the above-required list if not taken as a principal course, in addition to CAS MA 242, PY 406, GE 310, CS 111, and CS 112. Students who plan to enter graduate school to study astronomy should take several of the recommended and alternate principal courses.

TOP OF PAGE

Concentration in Astronomy and Physics (1965)


Advisors  Professors Bania, Blanton, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clarke, Clemens, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Schwadron, Spence

Prerequisites  CAS AS 202, 203 and CAS PY 251, 252 (or 211, 212).

Principal Courses  CAS AS 311, 312; CAS AS 441 or CAS PY 581; CAS MA 123, 124 (or both replaced by 127), 225; CAS PY 354 (or 313), 355, 405, 406, 408, 410, 451; and at least two courses from the following list: CAS AS 413, 414, and PY 452.

Recommended  Any from the above-required list if not taken as a principal course, in addition to CAS PY 371; GE 302, 310; CS 111 and 112. Students who choose this concentration will be prepared to enter graduate school to study astronomy or astrophysics.

Concentration in Geophysics & Planetary Sciences

Advisors  Professors Bania, Blanton, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clarke, Clemens, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Schwadron, Spence (AS), Hall (ES)

Principal Courses  CAS AS 202 and 311; one 100-level ES course or CAS GE 104; CAS ES 360; CAS MA 123, 124 (or both replaced by 127 or 129) and MA 225; CAS CH 101 or 131; CAS PY 211, 212 (or 251, 252), and 355, and 405 or 408; at least four courses from the following, one of which must be 400 level or above, not all in the same department: AS 312, 414, 441; ES 222, 301, 371, 483, 505, 581; GE 302, 310, 312; PY 313 or 354; PY 410; PY405 or 408 if not already taken.

Recommended  Any from the above required list if not taken as a principal course, in addition to CAS CH 102; CS 111, 112.

Minor Concentration in Astronomy (1911)

Advisors  Professors Bania, Blanton, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clarke, Clemens, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Schwadron, Spence

Principal Courses  CAS AS 202, 203, 311, 312 and one 400-level astronomy course, including the possibility of a directed study in astronomy (CAS AS 491 or 492).

BA/MA in Astrophysics & Space Physics (1928)

The BA/MA program in Astrophysics & Space Physics is designed for those well-prepared students who wish to obtain a master’s degree by adding a fifth year of intensive study in astrophysics and space physics. The requirements of the BA/MA program consist of those for the BA in Astronomy & Physics plus those of the MA in Astronomy. Application to the Department of Astronomy Director of Graduate Studies must be completed by March of the junior year. Only those students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.3 in mathematics, physics, and astronomy courses will normally be admitted. There are two tracks in the program, one comprising 38 courses plus a master’s thesis, and one comprising 40 courses without a thesis. Further details may be obtained at the Department of Astronomy office or from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Organizations

Boston University Astronomical Society (BUAS)  The Boston University Astronomical Society is open to all undergraduates in the University who have an interest in astronomy. The BUAS assists in the departmental open night program, engages in observing projects, organizes trips to observatories, and participates in other astronomical and social events.

TOP OF PAGE

Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy natural sciences divisional studies requirements.

Introductory Astronomy Courses

Primarily intended for students not concentrating in one of the natural sciences.

†CAS AS 100 Cosmic Controversies

From surprise over the need to invoke Dark Matter and Dark Energy, to confusion about Pluto’s being reclassified as a non-planet, this course explores how scientists explain our place in the physical universe, by focusing on some of the most current issues in modern astronomy. Topics range from the solar system, to extraterrestrial life, to the fabric of the entire universe. Mendillo. 4 cr, either sem. (NS)

†CAS AS 101 The Solar System

The historical development of astronomy and the motion of the planets. The formation of the solar system. The sun and its effects on the earth. Description of the planets and the moons of our solar system including recent results from the space program. Use of the observatory. Chakrabarti, Clarke, Fritz, Hughes, Janes, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Schwadron, Spence. 4 cr, either sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS AS 102 The Astronomical Universe

The birth and death of stars. Red giants, white dwarfs, black holes. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, and other galaxies. The Big Bang and other cosmological theories of our expanding universe. Use of the observatory. Bania, Brainerd, Brecher, Clemens, Jackson, Janes. AS 101 is not a prerequisite for AS 102. 4 cr, either sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS AS 109 Cosmology

The evolution of cosmological thought from prehistory to the present: Greek astronomy, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and Einstein. Motion, gravity, and the nature of space-time. The expanding universe. The early universe and Big Bang. Brainerd, Chakrabarti, Jackson. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (NS)

†CAS AS 117 Cosmic Evolution

Physical and chemical evolution of the universe from its origin to the present, from simple to complex. Stellar evolution. Planetary formation and evolution. Origin of life. The rise of civilization and technology. The future of humankind. Search for extraterrestrial life. Bania. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS)

Courses Intended Primarily for Science Majors

†CAS AS 202, 203 Principles of Astronomy I, II

Coreq: CAS MA 123 (or equivalent). Astronomical measurements; time and the celestial sphere; telescopes and observatories; the solar system, orbital motion; comparative planetology; the sun and solar-terrestrial effects; electromagnetic radiation; spectroscopy, stellar properties and stellar evolution; the Milky Way galaxy; galaxies; the universe. Lectures and laboratories. Intended primarily for physical science concentrators. AS 202 1st sem, AS 203 2nd sem. AS 202 is not a prerequisite for AS 203. Blanton, Janes, Oppenheim, Spence. 4 cr each. (NS) (lab)

CAS AS 311 Planetary Physics

Prereq: CAS MA 124 and CAS PY 212 or PY 252. Celestial mechanics, tides, resonances. Physical processes which affect atmospheres, surfaces, interiors of planets, and their satellites. Comets, asteroids, meterorites, and Kuiper belt objects. Formation and evolution of the solar system. Extra-solar planets. Clarke, Hughes. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS AS 312 Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics

Prereq: CAS MA 124, CAS PY 212 or PY 252. Basic physics of radiation; spectral analysis; distances, motions, and physical properties of stars; stellar interiors and atmospheres; stellar evolution; clusters of stars; the interstellar medium; content, structure, and rotation of the Milky Way galaxy. Bania, Blanton, Brainerd, Clemens, Schwadron. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS AS 401, 402 Senior Distinction Work

Prereq: approval of Honors Committee. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS AS 413 Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology

Prereq: CAS AS 312 and CAS PY 355 or equivalent. Galaxies and galaxy clusters; the extragalactic distance scale and the Hubble Law; quasars and active galactic nuclei; metrics and general relativity; distances and luminosities in cosmology. Origin of the universe: the Big Bang, cosmic background radiation, and inflation. (Offered alternate years.) Brainerd, Jackson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS AS 414 Solar and Space Physics

Prereq: CAS PY 355 and CAS PY 212 or 252. The sun and solar wind: solar magnetic fields, sunspot cycle, active sun, corona. Interaction of the solar wind with planets and comets. Planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres. Aeronomy. Solar system plasma physics. Magnetic storms and space weather. Fritz, Hughes, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Spence. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS AS 441 Observational Astronomy

Prereq: CAS AS 312. Astronomical techniques. Photometry, spectroscopy, photography, CCD imaging, and interferometry. Statistical methods for data reduction and analysis. Strong laboratory component. Use of computers. Clarke, Clemens, Janes. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS AS 491, 492 Directed Studies in Astronomy

Prereq: consent of instructor and approval of CAS Academic Advising Office. Devoted to an intensive study of a particular aspect of astronomy, often working with a member of the faculty on a specific research project. Staff. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

TOP OF PAGE

Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

16 October 2009
Boston University
Questions
Credits