University of Toronto at Scarborough 2003/2004 Calendar
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(B.Sc.)
Discipline Representative: C.C. Dyer
(416-287-7206)
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. 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 ASTB03S 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.
Please refer to the Physical Sciences Scarborough preamble on page 185 for a list of the Programs offered. Students interested in Programs which involve Astronomy are referred to Physics and Its Applications on page 191 and Physical and Mathematical Sciences on page 188.
Please refer to the Physics section of this Calendar for details of the Program.
The Teaching and the Astronomy and Physics concentrations in the Specialist Program in Physics and Its Applications, and the Major Program in Astrophysics and Physics are eligible for inclusion in the Co-operative Program in Physical Sciences and the Early Teacher Project in Physical Sciences. Please refer to the Physical Sciences (page 185) and the Co-operative Programs (page 71) sections of this Calendar for further information.
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: AST210
Prerequisite: Four full-credit equivalents
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.
Exclusions: (ASTB50H), (ASTC50H), (ASTC51H). AST221
Prerequisites: [ASTA01H & ASTA02H or (ASTA03Y)] & [MATA30H/ A31H & MATA36H/ A37H or (MATA26Y)] & PHYA21H
Corequisite: MATB41H
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. For more detailed information see Professor Dyer. 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: AST425
Prerequisites: [ASTA01H & ASTA02H or (ASTA03Y) or (AST323)] & PHYB21H & permission of the instructor
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.
Exclusions: (ASTB50H), (ASTC50H), (ASTC51H), AST222, (ASTB22H)
Prerequisites: ASTB21H & MATB41H
Corequisite: MATB42H
University of Toronto at Scarborough 2003/2004 Calendar
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