The Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University offers many different courses with emphases on astronomy and planetary science for both undergraduate and graduate students. Below is a list of courses with brief descriptions. Please check the class schedule each semester to see which courses are being offered. Also note that the department has recently transitioned from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and so course offerings are still in flux. Interested students should reach out to Dr. Salvatore about current course availability.
AST 180 (and 181): Introduction to Astronomy. Diurnal motion, motion of solar system objects on the background of stars, light rays and spectra, the planets, Kepler's laws, space travel, coordinates and time, the moon and eclipses, meteors, comets and the sun, stars, stellar distances and stellar evolution, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, and the big bang universe.
AST 183 (and 184L): Life in the Universe. Course will survey the scientific topics that comprise the key elements of "Astrobiology." These include the philosophical foundations of astrobiology as a science, astronomical sources of life's chemical building blocks and habitable environments, extremophilic organisms, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, feasibility of space travel, and the search for life in the solar system and beyond.
AST 201: Introduction to Indigenous Astronomy. This is a course in comparative astronomy, as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples and western astronomers, which provides an introduction to ancient and living astronomies of native cultures.
AST 280: Introduction to Astrophysics. Calculus-based introductory astrophysics course covering solar system mechanics, overview of planets, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, stellar evolution, galactic structure, interstellar medium, galaxies, and cosmology.
AST 390: Astrophysics - The Solar System. Physical processes governing the origin and evolution of the solar system and the objects within it.
AST 391: Astrophysics - Stars. Stellar atmospheres and interiors; star formation and stellar evolution.
AST 392: Astrophysics - Galaxies and Cosmology. Structure of the Milky Way and other galaxies; interstellar medium; quasars; cosmology.
AST 399: Special Topics. In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study.
AST 401 (and 401L): Observational Astronomy. Time and coordinates, spherical triangle, astrometry; photographic and electronic imaging; astronomical optics; orbital elements; photometry, spectroscopy. Co-convened with AST 580.
AST 408: Fieldwork Experience. Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization.
AST 499: Contemporary Developments. Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area.
AST 501: Fundamentals of Planetary Science I. Physical and chemical processes that are fundamental to the formation and habitability of planetary systems are examined in the light of observations of protoplanetary disks, small solar system bodies, and planets around other stars. Key topics include star and planet formation, orbital dynamics, asteroids, comets, Trans-Neptunian Objects, planetary rings, extra-solar planets, and life-planet interactions.
AST 502: Fundamentals of Planetary Science II. Physical and chemical processes that are fundamental to the formation and habitability of planetary systems are examined in the light of observations of protoplanetary disks, small solar system bodies, and planets around other stars. Key topics include star and planet formation, orbital dynamics, asteroids, comets, Trans-Neptunian Objects, planetary rings, extra-solar planets, and life-planet interactions.
AST 510: Exoplanets. This course examines basic principles in planetary atmospheres and interiors as applied to observable properties of extrasolar planets (exoplanets). Detection techniques are reviewed in detail, including radial velocity, astrometry, transit, high-contrast imaging, and microlensing. Special attention is given to the feasibility of the search for Earth-like planets, biosignatures and habitable conditions on exoplanets.
AST 520: Astroinformatics. This course provides training in the fundamentals of astroinformatics: applying "big data" techniques to research topics in astronomy. Course material will include case studies of astroinformatics projects that exist presently and that are coming in the future; tutorials in computational approaches; exposure to relevant statistical approaches; and training in creating informatics research topics. The course will conclude with a term project in which students will apply the skills they have learned to existing data sets.
AST 555: Remote Sensing. This course will focus on the tools, techniques, and fundamental principles of the remote investigation of planetary surfaces and atmospheres. Particular emphasis will be placed on tracking energy from its source through its interactions with different forms of matter, its receipt by instruments of specific design, and its eventual processing and interpretation by humans on Earth. The majority of labs and exercises will be focused on the Earth, as data are widely available and easier to validate than more distant planetary bodies.
AST 570: Astrochemistry. This course covers the synthesis of elements in stars, partitioning of elements between solids, liquids, and gas during the formation of the Solar System, an overview of the chemistry of extraterrestrial materials, isotopic tools to investigate planet formation, a chemical timeline of the Solar System, and chemical case studies of asteroids, comets, and planets.
AST 580: Techniques in Observational Astronomy. Acquisition and reduction of modern astronomical data, emphasizing imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Co-convened with AST 401.
AST 590: Physics of the Solar System. Focuses on the physics that structures the solar system-its formation and evolution. Instructor consent required.
AST 599: Field Analogs. This course will focus on a variety field sites relevant for understanding planetary processes and interpretation of data from our solar system. Each field site, which will rotate on every offering, will be designed to provide specific insight in to a process, formation mechanism, geologic expression or remote sensing technique that has direct relevance for planetary science investigations. Particular emphasis will be placed on student-led field guides, where students will develop a thorough understanding of the field site, lead the field trip and develop assignments. Students will also be able to enroll in this course multiple times, as the course destination and topics will differ each semester. Proposed topics and field sites include (but are not limited to) the following: (1) volcanic landforms; (2) impact cratering; (3) sedimentary layered deposits; (4) aeolian processes; (5) fluvial channels; and (6) hydrothermal activity and landforms.
AST 180 (and 181): Introduction to Astronomy. Diurnal motion, motion of solar system objects on the background of stars, light rays and spectra, the planets, Kepler's laws, space travel, coordinates and time, the moon and eclipses, meteors, comets and the sun, stars, stellar distances and stellar evolution, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, and the big bang universe.
AST 183 (and 184L): Life in the Universe. Course will survey the scientific topics that comprise the key elements of "Astrobiology." These include the philosophical foundations of astrobiology as a science, astronomical sources of life's chemical building blocks and habitable environments, extremophilic organisms, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, feasibility of space travel, and the search for life in the solar system and beyond.
AST 201: Introduction to Indigenous Astronomy. This is a course in comparative astronomy, as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples and western astronomers, which provides an introduction to ancient and living astronomies of native cultures.
AST 280: Introduction to Astrophysics. Calculus-based introductory astrophysics course covering solar system mechanics, overview of planets, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, stellar evolution, galactic structure, interstellar medium, galaxies, and cosmology.
AST 390: Astrophysics - The Solar System. Physical processes governing the origin and evolution of the solar system and the objects within it.
AST 391: Astrophysics - Stars. Stellar atmospheres and interiors; star formation and stellar evolution.
AST 392: Astrophysics - Galaxies and Cosmology. Structure of the Milky Way and other galaxies; interstellar medium; quasars; cosmology.
AST 399: Special Topics. In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study.
AST 401 (and 401L): Observational Astronomy. Time and coordinates, spherical triangle, astrometry; photographic and electronic imaging; astronomical optics; orbital elements; photometry, spectroscopy. Co-convened with AST 580.
AST 408: Fieldwork Experience. Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization.
AST 499: Contemporary Developments. Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area.
AST 501: Fundamentals of Planetary Science I. Physical and chemical processes that are fundamental to the formation and habitability of planetary systems are examined in the light of observations of protoplanetary disks, small solar system bodies, and planets around other stars. Key topics include star and planet formation, orbital dynamics, asteroids, comets, Trans-Neptunian Objects, planetary rings, extra-solar planets, and life-planet interactions.
AST 502: Fundamentals of Planetary Science II. Physical and chemical processes that are fundamental to the formation and habitability of planetary systems are examined in the light of observations of protoplanetary disks, small solar system bodies, and planets around other stars. Key topics include star and planet formation, orbital dynamics, asteroids, comets, Trans-Neptunian Objects, planetary rings, extra-solar planets, and life-planet interactions.
AST 510: Exoplanets. This course examines basic principles in planetary atmospheres and interiors as applied to observable properties of extrasolar planets (exoplanets). Detection techniques are reviewed in detail, including radial velocity, astrometry, transit, high-contrast imaging, and microlensing. Special attention is given to the feasibility of the search for Earth-like planets, biosignatures and habitable conditions on exoplanets.
AST 520: Astroinformatics. This course provides training in the fundamentals of astroinformatics: applying "big data" techniques to research topics in astronomy. Course material will include case studies of astroinformatics projects that exist presently and that are coming in the future; tutorials in computational approaches; exposure to relevant statistical approaches; and training in creating informatics research topics. The course will conclude with a term project in which students will apply the skills they have learned to existing data sets.
AST 555: Remote Sensing. This course will focus on the tools, techniques, and fundamental principles of the remote investigation of planetary surfaces and atmospheres. Particular emphasis will be placed on tracking energy from its source through its interactions with different forms of matter, its receipt by instruments of specific design, and its eventual processing and interpretation by humans on Earth. The majority of labs and exercises will be focused on the Earth, as data are widely available and easier to validate than more distant planetary bodies.
AST 570: Astrochemistry. This course covers the synthesis of elements in stars, partitioning of elements between solids, liquids, and gas during the formation of the Solar System, an overview of the chemistry of extraterrestrial materials, isotopic tools to investigate planet formation, a chemical timeline of the Solar System, and chemical case studies of asteroids, comets, and planets.
AST 580: Techniques in Observational Astronomy. Acquisition and reduction of modern astronomical data, emphasizing imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Co-convened with AST 401.
AST 590: Physics of the Solar System. Focuses on the physics that structures the solar system-its formation and evolution. Instructor consent required.
AST 599: Field Analogs. This course will focus on a variety field sites relevant for understanding planetary processes and interpretation of data from our solar system. Each field site, which will rotate on every offering, will be designed to provide specific insight in to a process, formation mechanism, geologic expression or remote sensing technique that has direct relevance for planetary science investigations. Particular emphasis will be placed on student-led field guides, where students will develop a thorough understanding of the field site, lead the field trip and develop assignments. Students will also be able to enroll in this course multiple times, as the course destination and topics will differ each semester. Proposed topics and field sites include (but are not limited to) the following: (1) volcanic landforms; (2) impact cratering; (3) sedimentary layered deposits; (4) aeolian processes; (5) fluvial channels; and (6) hydrothermal activity and landforms.