Calendar 2009-2010
Back to Anthropology
Continue to Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)
Up to Table of Contents and Search or Alphabetic Index

Astronomy (B.Sc.)

Contents

Courses

ASTA01H3

Faculty List

P. Artymowicz, M.Sc. (Warsaw University); Ph.D. (N. Copernicus Astron. Center, Polish Academy of Sciences), Professor

C.C. Dyer, B.Sc. (Bishop's), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto), Professor

J.P. Lowman, B.Sc. (Toronto), M.Sc., Ph.D. (York, Canada), Assistant Professor

Astronomy is at the same time one of the oldest and one of the most dynamic areas of science. It is basically the attempt to understand the environment in which humanity developed, from the solar system in which we find our direct and recent origins, to the largest distance scales typified by quasars and the big bang, in which we must search for the very origins of structure ranging from the solar system to the largest structures, such as large clusters of galaxies and cosmic voids. The past quarter century has seen startling discoveries, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation, that have given us both new understanding of the universe and made us more aware of the problems still facing us in attaining a further understanding. The last decade has witnessed an explosion in the number of known planets, with more than one hundred already discovered in orbit around other stars in our Galaxy. In addition there has recently been a significant trend towards the integration of many of the ideas of modern high energy physics into astronomy, with particularly interesting developments concerning ideas about the very first seconds in the evolution of our universe.
The full range of modern astronomical topics is covered in the introductory courses ASTA01H and ASTA02H. For students wishing to further their study in astronomy, there are a number of B-level courses, which are integral components of a number of the Physical Sciences Specialist Programs. In addition, the course ASTB03H is intended for students who have taken no previous astronomy, and covers the history of modern astronomy. It is intended to provide a historical perspective on modern astronomy, and by example, an introduction to the evolution of a number of modern scientific areas. Similarly, as more planets are discovered there promises to be an even stronger collaborative effort with disciplines such as chemistry and biology to discover the possible origins of life.
Science Engagement Courses
For science experiential learning through community outreach (SCIB01H), classroom in-reach (SCIB02H) and team research, please see the Science Engagement section of this Calendar.

MAJOR PROGRAM IN ASTROPHYSICS AND PHYSICS

See the Physics section of this Calendar for program requirements.

SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN NATURAL SCIENCES

See the Physical Sciences section of this Calendar for program requirements.

SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

See the Physical Sciences section of this Calendar for program requirements.

SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN PHYSICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

See the Physics section of this Calendar for program requirements.

ASTA01H3 Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics I: The Sun and Planets
The solar neighbourhood provides examples of astronomical bodies that can be studied by both ground-based and space vehicle based-observational instruments. The astronomical bodies studied range from cold and rocky planets and asteroids to extremely hot and massive bodies, as represented by the sun. This course considers astronomical bodies and their evolution, as well as basic parts of physics, chemistry, etc., required to observe them and understand their structure. The course is suitable for both science and non-science students.
Exclusion: AST101H

ASTA02H3 Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics II: Beyond the Sun and Planets
This course uses the basis developed in ASTA01H to extend consideration to all stars, galaxies and the universe. The structure and evolution of stars and galaxies is considered, with our own galaxy, the Milky Way, providing the opportunity for detailed study of a well-observed system. Even this system challenges us with many unanswered questions, and the number of questions increases with further study of the universe and its large-scale character. Current models and methods of study of the universe will be considered. The course is suitable for both science and non-science students.
Exclusion: AST121H, AST201H
Prerequisite: ASTA01H

ASTB03H3 Great Moments in Astronomy
An examination of the people, the background and the events associated with some major advances in astronomy.
Emphasis is given to the role of a few key individuals and to how their ideas have revolutionized our understanding of nature and the Universe. The perspective gained is used to assess current astronomical research and its impact on society.
Exclusion: AST210H
Prerequisite: 4.0 full credits

ASTB21H3 Solar System and Stellar Astrophysics
The application of physical principles to study the structure and evolution of astrophysical bodies, particularly planets and stars and their locale and motion in the universe.
The motion of these bodies can usually be described using Kepler's laws of planetary motion, which will be considered as a consequence of Newtonian gravitation's inverse square force law. The use of the Euler-Lagrange equations to describe such mechanical systems will be considered.
Exclusion: AST221H
Prerequisite: ASTA01H & ASTA02H & MATA30H & [MATA36H or MATA37H] & PHYA21H
Corequisite: MATB41H

ASTC01H3 Research Topics in Astronomy
An application of individual effort to reading and research on a topic of current interest.
The student will research on some topic of current interest in astrophysics and write a report ("minithesis") on his or her work. The student is expected to gain an appreciation of the current state of knowledge about a particular topic of astrophysical interest and to become familiar with the basic methods of research. The topic will be selected by one of the instructors in consultation with the student. The bibliography is dependent upon the topic selected.
Students are advised that they must obtain consent from the supervising instructor before registering for this course.
Exclusion: AST425H
Prerequisite: ASTA01H & ASTA02H & PHYB21H & permission of the instructor

ASTC22H3 Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics
The study of the structure of the Galaxy and other galaxies, and the place of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and other large-scale systems, in the Universe, using the principles of physics and mathematics.
Building on the knowledge of the structure of individual astrophysical bodies, their place in successively larger scale systems in the Universe, such as star clusters, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, will be considered leading to the consideration of the Universe as a whole system. Questions concerning the possible origins of structure in the Universe, its final end-state, and related topics in cosmology will conclude the course.
Exclusion: AST222H
Prerequisite: ASTB21H & MATB41H
Corequisite: MATB42H

Published Tuesday October 6th, 2009 Section last updated Wed Feb 25, 2009

Calendar 2009-2010
Back to Anthropology
Continue to Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)
Up to Table of Contents and Search or Alphabetic Index