This course is a survey of the universe, light, astronomical instruments and the historical development of Astronomy. Topics to be studied are the heavens, which include the Earth as a planet, the Moon, the Solar System, stars, galaxies, quasars, black holes, and scientific theories of the creation of the universe. The possibility of life elsewhere is discussed throughout. Labs supplement the course material and include an evening at our observatory. >General Education Course. Lecture [3.00], Laboratory [3.00].

3-0-3 Introduces students to discoveries of astronomy and physics, from ancient times to the present day. More specifically, the course focuses on the history of astronomy and science. Students learn about the birth of the universe, the stars, planets, galaxies, and constellations, the possibility of life on other heavenly bodies as well as radiation, magnetism, nuclear reactions, and other aspects of physics. Topics such as relativity, gravity, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, black holes, supernovas, gamma-ray bursters, quasars, neutron stars, spectroscopy, light, heat and heat transfer, dark energy and dark matter, string theory, and conceptual physics are also discussed. Prereq: ENGL 101.