school of social science - Hampshire College

culcural perspective on biomedical categories and methods of
investigation.
FIVE COLLEGE ASTRONOMY
COURSE LIST
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 113
THE SOLAR SYSTEM
William Dent
AMHERST
ASTFC 1J4
STARS AND GALAXIES
Eugene Tademaru
SMITH
ASTFC 224H
STELLAR ASTRONOMY
Richard White
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 226
COSMOWGY
Stephen Schneider
AMHERST
ASTFC 330
SEMINAR: TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS
George Greenstein
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 451H
STARS AND STELLAR EVOLUTION
David Van Blerkom
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 113
THE SOLAR SYSTEM
William Dent
Introductory course for science, engineering and astronomy
majors. Topics include physical characteristics of the
earth, moon, planets, asteroids, and comets-their motions
and gravitational interactions. Recent discoveries of space
probes relative to formation of the solar system and origin of
life. Prerequisite: high school algebra. MWF 1:25 p.m.-2:50
p.m. Class begins Wednesday, September 3.
AMHERST
ASTFC 114
STARS AND GALAXIES
Eugene T ademaru
Continuation of ASTFC 13; may be taken independently.
Introductory course for science, engineering, and
astronomy majors. Topics include stellar evolution, pulsars.
black holes, galactic structure. and cosmology. Prerequisite:
higb school algebra. TTh 2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Class begins
Thursday, September 4.
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SMITH
ASTFC224H
STELLAR ASTRONOMY
Richard White
The basic observational properties of stars will be
explored in an experimental format relying on both telescopic
observations and computer programming exercises. No
previous computer programming experience is required.
Prerequisites: one semester of calculus. one semester of
physics. and one introductory astronomy class. MW 2:30
p.m.-5:15 p.m. Classes begin Wednesday, September 3.
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 226
COSMOLOGY
Stephen Schneider
Cosmological models and the relationship between
models and observable parameters. Topics in current astronomy
that bear upon cosmological problems, including
background electromagnetic radiation, nucleosynthesis. dating
methods. determinations of the mean density of the universe
and the Hubble constant, and tests of gravitational theories.
Discussion of some questions concerning the foundations of
cosmology and its future as science. Prerequisites: one
semester of calculus and one semester of a physical science.
TTh 2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Class begins Thursday, September
4. ASTFC 25 Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy will be
taught in alternate years wich ASTFC 26.
AMHERST
ASTFC 330
SEMINAR: TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS
George Greenstein
Devoted each year to a particular topic or current
research imerest. this course will commence with a few
lectures in which an observadonal and a theoretical problem is
laid out, but then quickly move to a seminar format. In class
discussions a set of problems will be formulated, each
designed to illuminate a significant aspect of the topic at
hand. The problems will be significant in difficulty and broad
in scope: their solution, worked out individually and in class
discussions, will constitute the real work of the course.
Students will gain experience in both oral and wriuen
presentation.
Topics vary from year to year. Prerequisites: one of 224,
351 or 352. MW 2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Class begins Thursday,
September 4.
UNIVERSITY
ASTFC 451H
ASTROPHYSICS I: STARS AND STELLAR
EVOLUTION
David Van Blerkom
The application of physics [0 the understanding of
astronomical phenomena. Physical principles governing the
properties of stars, their formation, and evolution. Radiation
laws and the determination of stellar temperatures and
luminosides; Newton's laws and the determination of stellar
masses; hydrostadc equation and the thermodynamics of gas
and radiation; nuclear fusion and stellar energy generation;
physics and degenerate matter and the evolution of stars to
white dwarfs. neutron stars, or black holes; nucleosynthesis in
supernova explosions; dynamics of mass transfer in binary