Astronomy Courses
This course surveys the development of our current understanding of the Universe, including our Solar System, exoplanets, stars and stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and supernovae), galaxies and cosmology (dark matter, dark energy, the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, supermassive black holes), and life in the Universe. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 101 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 102 must also be taken.
This laboratory course involves indoor hands-on activities interpreting stellar spectra, stellar luminosity-temperature diagrams, celestial spheres, and astronomical imagery of the Moon, stars (including the Sun), star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 102 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 101 must also be taken.
This course is a survey of the new and rapidly-developing interdisciplinary science of astrobiology, accessible to the non-science major. Using the tools of astronomy, biology, geology, and chemistry, we will explore some of the biggest questions ever asked: How did life start on the Earth? Did life start elsewhere in our solar system, and elsewhere in our galaxy? Are we alone in the Universe? If there is life on other planets, how would we recognize it? Using the example of the history of life on Earth, we will explore locations in our solar system to gather evidence of whether life could have started, and could currently thrive in those locations. We will then broaden our scope to explore possibilities of life on planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy (and beyond) by summarizing what has been learned recently from surveys of planets orbiting other stars, in the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence.
In this course students learn to observe and record images and spectra of planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies using portable telescopes on campus, the 16-inch telescope of the campus observatory, telescopes located in the darker skies at Moundville, and observatory telescopes in Arizona and Chile by internet control. Both indoor exercises and observing projects are undertaken. Students should normally have already completed an introductory or advanced astronomy course. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 203 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 204 or AY 206 must also be taken.
This course provides (1) a discussion of orbital mechanics and of the interior structure, surface features, atmosphere, and origin of the sun, planets, and solar system; (2) an understanding of the detection techniques and current census of extrasolar planets; and (3) a discourse on the possibility of life on other planets. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 204 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 203 must also be taken.
This course: (1) connects the observed properties of stars (including our Sun) to their physical structure and evolution, up to their final endpoints as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes; (2) surveys the properties of galaxies (including our Milky Way), their baryonic and dark matter content, their dynamics and evolution (star formation history, feedback, secular processes, mergers, growth of central supermassive black holes) and galaxy clustering; and (3) presents modern cosmology, including the Big Bang, the Cosmic Microwave Background, the accelerating expansion of the Universe, dark energy, inflation, and the formation of the lightest elements. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 206 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 203 must also be taken.
This course provides a broad introduction to the theoretical foundations of astrophysical phenomena, demonstrating how fundamental phenomenology arises from physical laws. Several broad domains of astrophysics are covered, including planetary and stellar orbits, radiation, radiative transfer, ionization, star and planet formation, stellar evolution, binary stars, special and general relativity (including black holes), galactic structure and dynamics (including dark matter), active galaxies, spacetime structure, formation of large scale matter structure, and cosmology (including the accelerating expansion of the Universe, dark energy, and Grand Unification of forces in the early Universe).
Students will learn to perform astronomical observations with eye, telescope, and modern detectors, using techniques of digital imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Wavelength ranges from radio to gamma-ray will be addressed. Students will gain familiarity with current software tools for data analysis, model fitting, and error analysis. Students will carry out and report on all components of observational research, from concept and data collection to analysis and presentation of conclusions. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
This course is intended to facilitate a fairly complete understanding of stars, including their structure, evolution (formation, stages of burning, end states), synthesis of elements, and the physical processes involved in each of these, as well as introduce the modern computational modeling techniques used to apply stellar physics to stars. For astronomy students, this course will provide the background necessary to understand the underlying principles of stellar processes and modelling as they are used both in ongoing research into stellar physics and phenomena and in support of other areas of astronomical research where stellar populations, products and processes are important. In a broader context, relevant for any physics student, this course will discuss how understanding the physical principles in fluid dynamics, high-density materials, heat transfer, plasma physics, nuclear structure, and nuclear processes are assembled into our modern understanding of how stellar objects behave, and how the study of stars pushes the frontier of understanding in these areas of physics.
This course may deal with any astronomy topic not covered by existing courses. The course title is added at the time the course is taught. Repeat credit is allowed for different course titles.
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Physics Courses
Lectures and laboratory. An algebra-based introductory course including classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Topics include: kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational motion, oscillations and waves, kinetic theory of gases, and thermodynamics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Lectures and laboratory. An algebra-based introductory course including electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Topics include: electrostatic force and fields, electrical energy, capacitance, resistance, dc circuits, magnetism, induction, ac circuits, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, wave optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 102, PH 106, or PH 126.
Lectures and laboratory. This is an introductory calculus-based course covering classical mechanics, conservation laws, oscillations, waves, and thermal phenomena. Two course format options may be offered: a studio format with integrated lectures and laboratories and a non-studio format in which lectures and laboratories meet separately. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Seminar on current topics in Physics, aimed at a level accessible to all undergraduates. A broad introduction to exciting recent developments in physics, current areas of interest, and ongoing research at UA. Multiple faculty will present seminars, including some based on student suggestions.
A non-technical course designed for non-science majors intended to give an introduction to physics with no math prerequisites. Demonstrations and lectures on the chief topics of classical and modern physics and how they relate to everyday life. Credit earned in this course may not be counted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the major or minor in physics. Credit will not be granted for both PH 101 and PH 115. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period.
This is an Honors version of PH 105, primarily intended for Physics majors and Honors students. This is an introductory calculus-based course covering classical mechanics, conservation laws, oscillations, waves, and thermal phenomena. This course is usually offered in the studio format (integrated lectures and labs). Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Lecture, discussion, and laboratory. This is an Honors version of PH 106, primarily intended for Physics majors and Honors students. Introductory calculus-based course in classical physics, including electricity, magnetism, and optics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 102, PH 106, or PH 126.
Study of topics in modern physics, including special relativity, quantum physics, atomic structure, solid state physics, and selected additional topics (e.g. lasers, molecular physics, the atomic nucleus). NOTE: If the student plans to apply PH 253 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, PH 255 must also be taken.
Experimental work in the topics that form the subject matter of PH 253, including special relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear structure, and solid state physics. Successful students will develop their ability to collect and analyze experimental data, interpret the results, and present their findings in a clear, concise, and convincing way. NOTE: If the student plans to apply PH 255 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, PH 253 must also be taken.
This course is a more rigorous and sophisticated treatment of the classical mechanics topics covered in the introductory courses PH 101/105/125. The treatment is based on differential equations. The list of topics includes vectors, Newtonian mechanics in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions, oscillations, Lagrangian mechanics, gravity and central forces, rotational motion of rigid bodies, non-inertial coordinate systems, and coupled oscillators and normal modes.
This course is a more rigorous and sophisticated treatment of the classical mechanics topics covered in the introductory courses PH 101/105/125. The course is based on differential equations, and is particularly intended for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in physics or astronomy. The list of topics includes Newton's laws, projectile motion, energy, momentum and angular momentum conservation, oscillations, calculus of variations, Lagrangian formalism, two-body central forces, rotation of rigid bodies, coupled oscillators and normal modes. Some aspects of nonlinear motion and chaos, Hamiltonian mechanics, collisions, and special relativity may also be covered.
Electrodynamics, conservation laws, electromagnetic waves, radiation, and relativity.
The course provides an introduction to the topics of modern physics based on a theoretical approach. Topics include: the theory of special and general relativity with applications to black holes and cosmological models; particle physics and basic aspects of the standard model; nuclear physics with applications; fundamental interactions and symmetries; astrophysics of stellar evolution and celestial objects.
Selected topics in contemporary physics for high-school and post-secondary science teachers. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
Physics of biological systems: proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, supramolecular structures, and molecular motors; structure, function, energetics, thermodynamics, bionanotechnology. Emphasis on systems that are best understood in physical and molecular detail.
This is a course in teaching methodologies for introductory physics, based on recent results from physics education research.
Two laboratory periods. Theory and practical application of digital integrated circuits, including gates, flip-flops, and counters. Computer data acquisition, D/A and A/D conversion, communication and instrument control fundamentals using LabView.
Wave functions, time-independent Schroedinger equation, mathematical tools of quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics in three dimensions, identical particles. No graduate credit will be awarded for PH 441.
Time-independent perturbation theory, variational principle, WKB approximation, time-dependent perturbation theory, adiabatic approximation, scattering theory. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. No graduate credit will be awarded for PH 442.
The course will cover a mixture of foundational and applied machine learning topics related to practical applications in analysis of large scientific data. Students will learn the theory behind various machine learning algorithms and tools and will learn how to apply them to real-world problems. This course will introduce the fundamentals of machine learning and classification theory based on statistical learning and describe classes of popular algorithms in depth: decision and rule-based methods (decision trees and rules, bagging and boosting, random forests), deep learning-based models (fully connected, convolutional, recurrent, recursive, Bayesian, geometric deep learning and graph neural networks) as well as other machine learning algorithms.
Introduction to thermal phenomena on a macroscopic and a statistical basis, and principles and laws governing them. Introduction to energy and entropy formalism and discussion of thermodynamic potentials (Helmholtz and Gibbs). Applications to systems in equilibrium.
This course covers the structure of crystals, the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, the free-electron model, and the band approximation.
Topics in physics and astronomy not covered by existing courses. Repeat credit is allowed for different topics.
A seminar course on current topics in physics and astronomy.
Advanced experiments in modern physics. Research, analysis, and reporting of scientific results. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
Credit is by arrangement, but no graduate credit will be awarded for PH 493. Student performs research under supervision of a faculty member.
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No description available.