Departmental Representative: Prof. Norman H. Baker, 1320 Pupin; 854-3884
Departmental Office: 1328 Pupin; 854-3278

Professors
James Applegate
Norman H. Baker
David J. Helfand
Steven Kahn (Physics)
Joseph Patterson
Kevin H. Prendergast
Edward A. Spiegel
Jacqueline van Gorkom

Associate Professors
Arlin P. S. Crotts
Jules P. Halpern

Assistant Professors
Laura Kay (Barnard)

On Leave
Professor Kay for the academic year
Professor Prendergast for the fall term

The Department offers two introductory sequences: C1403-C1404 is recommended for students not majoring in the sciences; C2001-C2002 is recommended for intending astronomy majors and concentrators and is required for astrophysics majors. The two sequences C3601, C3602 and C3101, C3646 are given in alternate years. These sequences need not be taken in any particular order. Each year a third course at the 3000 level on another topic in astronomy or astrophysics will be offered.

Degree Requirements

FOR A MAJOR IN ASTRONOMY Program of study: to be planned with the departmental representative before the beginning of the junior year. The astronomy major is designed for students who wish to study astronomy within the context of a broader liberal arts education, and for students wishing to combine astronomy with related sciences other than physics, such as chemistry or geology.

Mathematics courses: two years of calculus.

Astronomy courses: 12 points in astronomy at the 3000 level or above if the sequence C1403x, C1404y is taken,

or

9 points in astronomy at the 3000 level or above if the sequence C2001x, C2002y is taken

Physics courses: One of the sequences C1401, C1402, C1403, or C1601, C1602, C2601, or C2801, C2802; two physics courses at the 3000 level or above.

Students contemplating graduate study are advised to include two of these Physics courses: W3003, W3007, and W3021. One of these may be substituted for 3 points of astronomy

FOR A MAJOR IN ASTROPHYSICS

Program of study: to be planned with the departmental representative before the beginning of the junior year. The program is similar to that for a physics major: students who have majored in astrophysics are equally qualified to proceed to graduate work in physics or in astronomy.

Mathematics courses: two years of calculus.

Astronomy courses: C2001x-C2002y and 6 points in astronomy at the 3000 level or above.

Physics courses: Either the sequence C1401, C1402, C1403, or the sequence C1601, C1602, C2601, or the sequence C2801, C2802; W3003, W3007, W3008, W3021, W3022.

Recommended elective courses: Physics G4003, G4021, G4022

Recommended cognate courses: Geology W4008, W4945, W4946; 3000-level mathematics and computer science courses.

Total points: 50, from astronomy, physics, and mathematics combined.

CONCENTRATION

A concentration in astronomy is also available. The requirements for this are:

Mathematics: 9 points of calculus.

Astronomy courses: 15 points of astronomy, 9 of which must be at the 3000 level.

Physics: 9 points (any level).

An extra 3 points of physics can substitute for 3 points of astronomy, as long as the course submitted is at the equivalent or higher level.

NOTE: Courses in which the grade of D has been received do not count toward the major requirements.
NOTE: For courses that satisfy the science requirement, see Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Courses of Instruction

In the listing below, the designator Astronomy is understood to precede all course numbers for which no designator is indicated.

Astronomy-Physics-Geology C1234x-C1235y The universal timekeeper: an introduction to scientific habits of mind. 3 pts. D. Helfand. MW 2:40-3:55. Prerequisite for C1235y is C1234x. An introduction to ideas and models of thought in the physical sciences, adopting as its theme the use of the atom as an imperturbable clock. Lectures will develop basic physical ideas behind the structure of the atom and its nucleus and then explore such diverse applications as measuring the age of the Shroud of Turin, determining the diets of ancient civilizations, unraveling the evolution of the universe and charting the history of earth's climate. Facility with high school algebra will be assumed.

C1403x Earth, moon, and planets (lecture). 3 pts. J. Applegate. TuTh 1:10-2:25. Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The overall architecture of the solar system. Motions of the celestial sphere. Time and the calendar. Major planets, the earth-moon system, minor planets, comets. Life in the solar system and beyond.

C1404y Beyond the solar system (lecture). 3 pts. J. van Gorkom. TuTh 1:10-2:25. Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. Distances to, and fundamental properties of, nearby stars; nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution; novae and supernovae; galaxies; the structure of the universe and theories concerning its origin, evolution, and ultimate fate.

C1420y Galaxies and cosmology. 3 pts. A. Crotts. MW 1:10-2:25. Prerequisite: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The content, structure, and possible evolution of galaxies. The "21-centimeter line": the song of interstellar hydrogen. Distribution of mass, seen and unseen, in galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Distribution of clusters over the sky. Quasars and the nuclei of galaxies. The origin of the universe, and the present controversy over its eventual fate.

V1753x Introduction to astronomy, I. 3 pts. M. Weil. MW 1:10-2:25. Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. An introduction to astronomy, taught at Barnard, intended primarily for non-science majors. Includes the history of astronomy, the apparent motions of the moon, sun, stars, and planets, gravitation and planetary orbits, the physics of the earth and its atmosphere, and the exploration of the solar system.

V1754y Introduction to astronomy, II. 3 pts. TBA. MW 1:10-2:25. Recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The properties of stars, star formation, stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and the origin and evolution of the universe.

C1903x Earth, moon, and planets (laboratory) 1 pt. A. Crotts. One three-hour evening laboratory to be arranged. Laboratory for C1403x. Projects include observations with the department's telescopes, computer simulation, laboratory experiments in spectroscopy, and the analysis of astronomical data.

C1904y Beyond the solar system (laboratory) 1 pt. The staff. One three-hour evening laboratory to be arranged. Laboratory for C1404y. Projects include use of telescopes, laboratory experiments in the nature of light, spectroscopy, and the analysis of astronomical data.

C2001x Introduction to astrophysics, I. 3 pts. J. Patterson. TuTh 2:40-3:55. Prerequisite: a working knowledge of calculus. Co-requisite: a course in calculus-based general physics. This is the first term of a two-term calculus-based introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include the physics of stellar interiors, stellar atmospheres and spectral classifications, stellar energy generation and nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron stars, white dwarfs, interacting binary stars.

C2002y Introduction to astrophysics, II. 3 pts. J. Halpern. TuTh 2:40-3:55. Prerequisite: a working knowledge of calculus. Co-requisite: the second term of a course in calculus-based general physics. Continuation of Astronomy C2001. These two courses constitute a full year of calculus-based introduction to astrophysics. Topics include the structure of our galaxy, the interstellar medium, star clusters, properties of external galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, cosmology.

C2900x Frontiers of astrophysics research. A. Crotts and Staff. F 11-12. 1pt Several members of the faculty will each offer a brief series of talks providing context for a current research topic in the field and will then present recent results of their ongoing research. Opportunities for future student research collaboration will be offered. Grading is Pass/Fail.

C3101x Stellar structure and evolution. 3 pts. N. Baker. MW 4:10-5:25. Prerequisite: one year of calculus-based general physics. Topics include the physics of stellar structure, stellar atmospheres, nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, interacting binary stars, white dwarfs, and neutron stars. Given in alternate years; not given in 1997-98.

C3102y Planetary dynamics and physics of the solar system. 3 pts. TuTh 10:35-11:50. J. Patterson. Topics include orbital dynamics, planetary rings, planetary atmospheres, interiors of terrestrial and Jovian planets, comets and the solar wind.

C3601x General relativity, black holes, and cosmology. 3 pts. TuTh 1:10-2:25. E. Spiegel. Prerequisite: one year of calculus-based general physics. This course is an introduction to general relativity, Einstein's geometrical theory of gravity. Topics include special relativity, tensor calculus, the Einstein field equations, the Friedmann equations and cosmology, black holes, gravitational lenses and mirages, gravitational radiation, and black hole evaporation.

C3602y Physical cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. 3 pts. TuTh 1:10-2:25. J. Applegate. Prerequisite: one year of calculus-based general physics. This course presents the standard hot big bang cosmological model and modern observational results which test it. Topics include the Friedmann equations, the standard model of particle physics, the age of the universe, primordial nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, the extragalactic distance scale, modern observations.

C3646y Observational astronomy. 3 pts. A. Crotts. F 10-11:30, and additional evening laboratory hours to be arranged. Prerequisite: one year of general astronomy. An introduction to the basic techniques used in obtaining and analyzing astronomical data. Focus on "ground-based" methods, at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Regular use of the telescope facilities atop the roof of the Pupin Labs, and at Harriman Observatory. The radio-astronomy portion consists mostly of computer labs. In research projects, students also work on the analysis of data obtained at National Observatories. Given in alternate years; not given in 1997-98.

C3997x-C3998y Independent research. 1 to 3 pts. Staff. Hours flexible and to be arranged. Prerequisite: Instructors permission. A variety of research projects conducted under the supervision of members of the faculty. Observational, theoretical and experimental work in Galactic and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. The topic and scope of the work must be arranged with a faculty member in advance; a written paper describing the results of the project will be required at its completion (note that a two-semester project can be designed such that the grade YC is given after the first term). Senior majors in Astronomy or Astrophysics wishing to do a Senior thesis should make arrangements in May of their Junior year and sign up for a total of six points over their final two semesters. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results will be required.

G4001y-G4002x Astrophysics, I and II. 4.5 pts. J. van Gorkom (y). N. Baker (x). MWF 11-12:15 (y), MWF 4:10-5:25 (x). G4001: topics include the physics of stellar structure, stellar spectra, the HR diagram, the determination of distances, stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, interacting binaries, stellar pulsations. G4002: topics include galactic structure, star clusters, the interstellar medium, external galaxies, clusters and superclusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, cosmology.

G4686x The physics of astrophysics, I. 4.5 pts. N. Baker. MWF 2:40-3:55. Prerequisite: 3000-level electromagnetic theory and quantum mechanics. Physical processes in gases, with emphasis on those topics important in an astrophysical setting (stars, diffuse nebulae, galaxies). Statistical mechanics; non-equilibrium statistical and continuum physics; classical and semi-classical radiation theory.

G4687y The physics of astrophysics, II. 4.5 pts. K. Prendergast. MWF 2:40-3:55. Prerequisite: Astronomy G4686 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and plasma physics with applications to problems of astrophysical interest. The Euler and Navier-Stokes equations, linear and non-linear waves, rotating fluids, stability theory, supersonic flow and shock waves, similarity solutions, and heuristic theories of turbulent transport. Ideal magnetohydrodynamics, flux conservation, Alfven waves. Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields, adiabatic invariants, Vlasov equation, dispersion relations, and collisional dissipation.

1997 August 28	www@astro.columbia.edu