Description of research and results in modern extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We read the stories of discoveries of the principles of our Universe. Simple algebra is used.

Tutorial for groups of two or three students.

The departments of Astronomy and Earth and Planetary Science offer a joint research seminar in advanced topics in planetary science, featuring speakers drawn from graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars. Topics will span planetary interiors; surface morphology; atmospheres; dynamics; planet formation; and astrobiology. Speakers will vary from semester to semester. Meetings will be held once a week for 1 hour each, and the schedule of speakers will be determined on the first day of class. To pass the class, participants will be required to give a 30-minute presentation, either on their own research or on recent results from the literature.

Discussion and practice of teaching techniques as applied to astronomy. Open to graduate students who are presently teaching assistants or associates. Two units for course plus one section; three units for two discussion sections.

A description of modern astronomy with emphasis on the structure and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. Additional topics optionally discussed include quasars, pulsars, black holes, and extraterrestrial communication, etc. Individual instructor's synopses available from the department.

Seminar format discussion of selection of current problems in astronomy. This course meets for two hours per week in an informal setting where group discussions or student presentations will take place on astronomical issues of current interest. The focus will be not only on the formal subject matter, but also on the nature of scientific inquiry itself. Students should learn by experience how to recognize scientific problems and resolve them.

This course covers the largest topics in astronomy: the study of galaxies and the universe as a whole. It includes the modern story of creation, beginning with the expansion of our Universe, its early hot-dense phase when the light elements were formed. A discussion of normal and active galaxies including their formation and evolution. Quasars and their utility in illuminating the gas in the Universe at high redshift. The discovery of Dark Matter by its effect on the motion of galaxies and its gravitational lensing effect and its role in the formation of large-scale structure.

Survey of research currently being performed in the Department or the University.

A survey of physical cosmology - the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics include the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, thermal history and big bang nucleosynthesis, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and large scale structure, the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave radiation, inflation in the early universe, tests of cosmological models, and current research areas. The course complements the material of Astronomy 218.