ASTR 100
Perspectives in Astronomy

Credit:  3 hours.

This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a
Physical Sciences course.

One-term introduction to astronomy. The nature of science; sun, planets, and moons; origin of the solar system; nature and evolution of stars; exploding stars; stellar remnants, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; molecules in space; galaxies and quasars; past and future of the universe; and life in the universe. Lectures and observation; a field trip to Parkland Staerkel Planetarium may be required, nominal charge. Credit is not given to students with credit in ASTR 121 or ASTR 122; not open to students with credit in PHYS 102, or equivalent. Students with credit in PHYS 102 are encouraged to take ASTR 121 or ASTR 122.

Students interested in ASTR 100 should also consider ASTR 121 or ASTR 122 which cover the same materials and topics but in two semesters instead of one. ASTR 121 and ASTR 122 include two lectures each week and one weekly small discussion meeting for more individual attention. ASTR 121 and ASTR 122 are independent offerings and can be taken in any order. While ASTR 100, ASTR 121 and ASTR 122 are for non-science majors, problem solving with basic algebra is required. Science and astronomy majors should take ASTR 210.