2006-08 Course Descriptions - Catalog - University of Oklahoma

Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences (AGSC)The Uni ver sity of Oklahoma 2006-2008 Gen eral Cat a log3190 Topics in Astronomy. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: permission ofinstructor. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximumcredit nine hours. (F, Su)3990 Independent Study. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: one course in generalarea to be studied; permission of instructor and department. May berepeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topicnot currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent studymay include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Sp, Su)G4303 Stellar Astrophysics. Prerequisite: 3113 or permission of instructor.Physics of stars: gas and radiation laws, stellar atmospheres and spectra,stellar interiors and evolution. (F)4990 Independent Study. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: three courses in generalarea to be studied; permission of instructor and department. May berepeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study fortopic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independentstudy may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F,Sp, Su)G5403 High-Energy Astrophysics. Prerequisite: 4303 or permission ofinstructor. High-energy radiation processes in astronomy: synchrotronradiation, bremsstrahlung, inverse Compton-effect. New wavebands ofobservation, UV, X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. Radioastronomy:supernova remnants, pulsars, neutron stars. Radiogalaxies, active galacticnuclei, quasars. Theories of the origin of cosmic rays. (Irreg.)G5443 Galactic Astronomy. Prerequisite: 4303 or permission of instructor.Basic properties of galaxies are explored with special focus on the MilkyWay. Topics include galaxy classification and morphology, stellarpopulations, clusters and kinematics, interstellar medium, distributions ofmass and light, spiral structure, chemical evolution, systemic rotation andgalaxy mass, and distance-determining methods. (Irreg.)G5453 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology. Prerequisite: 3113 or4303 or permission of instructor. Basic properties of stars. Review ofobservational tools for extragalactic work. Stellar content and interstellarmedium in normal galaxies. Introduction to the theory of Big Bang cosmology.Comparison of observational data to cosmological predictions. Theextragalactic distance scale and the age of the universe. Large scale structure:galaxy clusters and superclusters. Active galaxies—radio galaxies and quasars.(Irreg.)G5463 Stellar Atmospheres. Prerequisite: 4303 or permission ofinstructor. Local thermodynamic equilibrium. Radiative transfer, continuousabsorption coefficient and model stellar atmospheres. Atomic andmolecular spectroscopy and the quantitative analysis of stellar spectra.Atomic processes and departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium.Extended and expanding atmospheres, novae, supernovae. (Irreg.)G5473 Stellar Interiors. Prerequisite: 4303 or permission of instructor.Evolution and energy balance of stars including gravitational attraction,nucleosynthesis, radiative and convective energy, transport andequilibrium, construction of stellar models for pre-main sequence andmain sequence stars, and the theory of giants and white dwarfs. (Irreg.)G5513 Interstellar Medium. Prerequisite: 4303 or permission. Processesin low-density media are explored, including the physics relevant toemission line objects such as HII and HI regions, molecular clouds, andactive galaxies. Techniques for deriving chemical abundances are explored,as are interstellar absorption by gas and dust and radiation transfer. (Irreg.)G5900 Seminar in Astrophysics. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit ninehours. A research seminar devoted to the study of specialized topics inastronomy and astrophysics. Topics selected will reflect the interest of theinstructor and students. (Irreg.)Atmospheric and GeographicSciences (AGSC)2004 Evolution of the Earth System. Overview of the earth from a systemsperspective. Draws on knowledge from all geosciences to exploreinterconnections and co-evolution of the solid earth, atmosphere, oceans,and living things. Evolution of the Earth’s climate over geologic timeincluding the hydrologic cycle, carbon, cycle and “greenhouse effect”. Roleliving things play in the global environment. Extensive use of numericalmodels to explore structure and response of the Earth system. Studentsmay find it helpful to have taken either Geography 1114, or Geology 1104,or Meteorology 1014. Laboratory (F) [II-LAB]2014 The Earth System. An integrated overview of earth sciencesemphasizing earth materials, the oceans and atmosphere, the solar system,and earth’s evolution. The interrelationship among the different earthsystems will be emphasized. Topics will be explored through alearning-cycle approach. The lab component includes both in-classexperiments and one field-based research project. Laboratory (Sp) [II-LAB]3960 Honors Reading. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to HonorsProgram. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Consists of topicsdesignated by the instructor in keeping with the student’s major program.Covers topics not usually presented in the regular courses.3970 Honors Seminar. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to HonorsProgram. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Subjects coveredvary. Deals with concepts not usually treated in regular courses.3980 Honors Research. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to HonorsProgram. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Provides anopportunity for the gifted honors candidate to work at a special project inthe student’s field.G4970 Seminar. 1 to 9 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Maybe repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit nine hours.Subjects covered vary. Deals with interdisciplinary concepts in geosciencesnot usually treated in regular courses. (Irreg.)4990 Special Studies. 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor,upper-division standing. Contracted special problems study for topics notcurrently offered in regularly scheduled courses; may include library and/orlaboratory research and field projects.G5510 Selected Topics. 1 to 9 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Current or special topicsrelating to the geosciences; may be structured for students in other areas.(Irreg.)G5823 Heat Flow. Prerequisite: Geology 3114, Mathematics 2423, andPhysics 2524. Terrestrial heat flow and thermal aspects of geologicprocesses. Fourier’s law of heat conduction, diffusion equation, thermalproperties of earth materials, laboratory and field methods, terraincorrections. Fluid flow and heat transport in the continental crust. Thermalevolution of sedimentary basins, hydrocarbon maturation, climate changefrom borehole temperature profiles. (F)Aviation (AVIA)1003 Introduction to Computer Concepts and Applications.Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Students learn to navigate inWindows, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook.(F, Sp, Su)1013 Introduction to Air Traffic Control. The purpose of this course is tolearn about the air traffic control system from both the pilot andcontroller’s perspectives. This course is the first of six courses for the ATCminor and a prerequisite for basic air traffic control regulations. (F, Sp)1113 Introduction to Aviation. Prepares student to take the FAA privatepilot written examination. Covers FAR’s, meteorology, aerodynamics, flightphysiology, performance charts, radio navigation techniques. (F, Sp, Su)1213 Basic Air Traffic Control Regulations. Prerequisite: 1013. Thiscourse is a progressive continuation of introduction to air traffic control anda prerequisite for general air traffic control procedures. This course is morenarrowly focused on study and interpretation of the FAA orders andregulations that govern the air traffic control system and the nationalairspace system. (F, Sp)1222 Primary Flying. Prerequisite: 1113. Includes in-flight instruction witheffort directed toward obtaining FAA certification as a private pilot. Thirdclass medical must be obtained prior to solo. (F, Sp, Su)2013 General Air Traffic Control Procedures. Prerequisite: 1213. Thiscourse will present the study of “general control” procedures used in theterminal and en route control options as well as FAA flight service processesand procedures. This course will serve as a prerequisite for airport trafficcontrol procedures. (F, Sp)2231 Advanced Flying. Prerequisite: 1222 or private pilot certificate. (F,Sp, Su)29 Course Descriptions