| Astronomy Center Department of Physics & Astronomy |
University of South Carolina Columbia, SC |
Any day we may read of or see new astronomical discoveries. The Hubble space telescope is taking pictures of objects and events in our universe that we have not anticipated. Space probes are sampling the planets in our solar system. Astronomers are listening with radio telescopes for possible messages from alien civilizations. With all of these events, and many more, astronomy provides a rapidly changing and always exciting source of information. Astronomy also has the advantage that most of the new discoveries can be easily explained to and understood by the layperson.
Today's students taking astronomy are exposed not only to an up-to-date summary of astronomical facts and methods, but also a discussion of their relationships to the rest of the universe. Astronomy may be studied not only for itself but also for its relation to other human endeavors such as philosophy, politics, history, environomental problems, arts, and even religion.
Prof. Varsha Kulkarni, Professor
Prof. Christina Lacey, Professor
Prof. John L. Safko, Course Developer and Professor Emeritus
The introductory sequence of course are designed primarily for the non-science majors in search of courses to meet the general education science requirement or as electives. These courses can be taken in combination for credit for one (1) to eleven (11) hours. These courses are:
ASTR 111 (3 credit hours)
ASTR 111A (1 credit hour)
ASTR 211 (3 credit hours) -- requires completion of or co-enrollment in ASTR 111
ASTR 211A(1 credit hour) -- requires completion of or co-enrollment in either ASTR 111 or ASTR 111A.
ASTR 311 (3 credit hours) -- requires completion of or co-enrollment in ASTR 112. Not normally offered in Summer Sessions.
The first three of these courses (ASTR 111, 111A, 211) can provide the seven (7) hours of laboratory science required by the university core. The fourth course (ASTR 211A) will complete the requirements in colleges requiring eight (8) hours of laboratory science.
This sequence is offered as self-paced, mastery-oriented courses. There are no secheduled class meetings except for an orientation class for the ASTR 111 course. Video tapes, an extensive study guide, and individual tutoring are available for those needing individual help. All of these courses provide laboratory experience (scheduled with an instructor), and provide the opportunity for observational experience.
Some of the flavor and rules of the course are given in the Introductory pages from the Study Guide
See the syllbus of each course for details of the required work for that course.
ASTR 320 Introduction to Radio Astronomy (3 credit hours) (Prereq: ASTR 112 and MATH 115 or equivalent; alt. prereq: PHYS 202 or PHYS 212 or PHYS 301)
ASTR 340 Introduction to Relativistic Astrophysics [=PHYS 340] (Prereq: ASTR 112 and MATH 115 or equivalent; alt. prereq: PHYS 202 or PHYS 212 or PHYS 301 or consent of instructor)
ASTR 520 Advanced Astronomy (3 credit hours) (Prereq: consent of instructor)
ASTR 533 Advanced Observational Astronomy I (1 to 3 credit hours) (Prereq: consent of instructor)
ASTR 534 Advanced Observational Astronomy II(1 to 3 credit hours) (Prereq: consent of instructor)
SCCC 115 (4 credit hours) (normally Fall term only) The SCCC course equivalent to ASTR 111/111A
SCCC 116 (4 credit hours) (normally Spring term only)
[Astronomy Center Home] [Courses] [ASTR111/ASTR111A] [ASTR111A/211A]ASTR211/ASTR211A
[ASTR311] [SCCC115] [SCCC115L/116L]
This page maintained by safko@sc.edu and last modified 20 December 2000
The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of South Carolina.
URL = http://astro.physics.sc.edu/courses.html