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Courses and Programs

The Astronomy Department offers a range of courses to interest scientists and dabblers alike. We also offer an Astronomy Major, an Astronomy Minor, and an Interdepartmental Astrophysics Major jointly with the Physics Department. Other activities at the Whitin Observatory afford students opportunities for work-study and other term-time employment, research projects, and recreational observing.

Subjects Offered

Brief course descriptions are below. Complete catalog listings (PDF file; requires Acrobat Reader) and schedules are accessible on the Web through the Registrar's Office.

ASTR 100 Life in the Universe
A look at the origin of life on Earth and the prospects for finding life elsewhere in the cosmos.
ASTR 101 w/Lab Introduction to Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology
A survey of astronomy beyond the solar system, from the Big Bang to the present. Evening laboratory.
ASTR 108 Discovering Our Universe
This course leads first-year students through hands-on exploration of the structure of the Universe and our place within it, using tools ranging from our own eyes to the telescopes at Whitin Observatory to the National Virtual Observatory.
ASTR 201 Motions in the Sky: Archaeoastronomy and the Copernican Revolution
An investigation of motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets in the sky and how humans have interpreted them through time. Normally offered alternate years.
ASTR 203 Planetary Geology
A discussion of the formation and evolution of the planets and small bodies in the solar system, from a comparative point of view. Normally offered alternate years.
ASTR 205 Relativity and Cosmology
An algebra- and trigonometry-based exploration of special and general relativity, space travel, black holes, gravitational lensing, and the expanding universe. Normally offered alternate years.
ASTR 206 w/Lab Basic Astronomical Techniques
A project-based course using our 24-inch research telescope which introduces the fundamentals of planning an observing project, obtaining and reducing the data, and presenting the results. QR Overlay.
ASTR 301 Multiwavelength Astronomy
A look at current research in fields of astronomy that rely heavily on wavelengths outside of the visible range.
ASTR 311 Elements of Astrophysics
Development of a “universal toolkit” of practical astrophysical techniques that can be applied to the entire celestial menagerie.
ASTR 350 Research or Individual Study
ASTR 360 Senior Thesis Research
ASTR 370 Senior Thesis

Several subjects offered at MIT also have been of interest to majors, including

Information about MIT subjects can be found in the MIT Course Catalogue.

(Next page: Projected Schedule of Subject Offerings)

To ensure a safe environment for astronomy work at Whitin, the driveway and circle to the Observatory are closed to all motor vehicles from sunset until sunrise.

Make sure that you attend the first class meeting of a subject which you intend to take, or hope to take if space is available. Generally speaking, registered or not, attending the first class meeting of the semester is required in order to be able to take the class.