Welcome, Guest

login
H
ARVARD UNIVERSITY CATALOG AND CROSS REGISTRATION

Harvard Course Catalog

Cross-Registration
My Cross-Registration List
General Policies
School Specific Policies
Credit Conversion
Academic Calendar
Contact

o
o
o
o

Harvard University 2013-14 Course Catalog

Cross Registration

Any Cross-Reg Status

Eligible for cross-registration (21)

Not eligible for cross-registration (1)

Calendar Period

Any Calendar Period

Sep to Dec 2013 (Fall Term) (11)

Jan to May 2014 (Spring Term) (14)

Level

Any Credit Level

Graduate (15)

Undergraduate (11)
School

All Schools

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Semester

All Terms

Fall 2013-2014 (8)

Full Year 2013-2014 (3)

Spring 2013-2014 (11)

Days

Any Day

Monday (10)

Tuesday (5)

Wednesday (9)

Thursday (3)

Friday (2)

Start Time

Any Time

Morning (8am-Noon) (5)

Afternoon (Noon-5pm) (12)

Evening (after 5pm) (1)

Department

All Departments

Astronomy
Offered

Any Offered Status

Offered (22)
Start Over
Search

NARROWED BY

Astronomy

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

22
Courses Found
Sort by: Course Name | School | Department | Day | Time

Course Information
Astronomy 100 Methods of
Observational
Astronomy (95134)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Edo Berger
Less Detail

Schedule
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Description: In this course we will learn the basic tools of modern astronomical research,
including telescopes, detectors, imaging, spectroscopy, and common software. Emphasis
will be placed on both the theory behind telescopes and their use, and hands-on
experience with real data. Using this basic knowledge we will analyze science-level
astronomical data from a wide range of telescopes and review the basic properties of stars,
galaxies, and other astronomical objects of interest. The course includes a trip to the F. L.
Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Arizona, to gather data with various telescopes.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
Astronomy 130 Cosmology (73826)

S
M

Course Information

Faculty of Arts and

Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Douglas Finkbeiner
Less Detail

Schedule
T
W
T
F
S
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Description: The physical model describing the initial conditions, evolution, and ultimate
fate of the Universe. Topics include cosmic dynamics; the Robertson-Walker Metric;
curvature; estimating cosmological parameters; the accelerating universe; dark matter;
gravitational lensing; the cosmic microwave background; nucleosynthesis; inflation and the
very early universe; formation of structure. Note: Offered in alternate years.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 17 or Physics 15c.
Location: Science Center 111

Astronomy 151 Astrophysical Fluid

Dynamics (3025)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Lars Hernquist
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Description: Fluid and gas dynamics with applications drawn from astrophysical
phenomena. Topics include: kinetic theory, diffusive effects, incompressible fluids, inviscid
and viscous flows, boundary layer theory, accretion disks, fluid instabilities, turbulence,
convection, gas dynamics, linear (sound) waves, method of characteristics, Riemann
invariants, supersonic flow, non-linear waves, shocks, similarity solutions, blast waves,
radiative shocks, ionization fronts, magnetohygrodynamics, hydromagnetic shocks,
dynamos, gravitational collapse, principles of plasma physics, Landau damping,
computational approaches, stability criteria, particle based (Lagrangian) methods,
adaptive mesh refinement, radiation hydrodynamics.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
S
Astronomy 16 M
Stellar and Planetary
T
Astronomy (8813)
W
Faculty of Arts and
T
Sciences Spring
F
2013-2014
S
John Asher Johnson
Less Detail
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing the
formation and evolution of stars and their planetary companions. Topics include thermal
radiation and stellar spectra; telescopes; energy generation in stars; stellar evolution;
orbital dynamics; the Solar system; and exoplanets. This course includes an observational
component: students will determine the distance to the Sun, and use the Clay Telescope
atop the Science Center to study stellar evolution and detect exoplanets.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): An introductory course in mechanics, which may be taken concurrently,
satisfied by Physics 11a, Physics 15a, Physics 16 or Physical Sciences 12a.

Course Information

Schedule

Astronomy 17 Galactic and

Extragalactic
S
Astronomy (22304)
M
Faculty of Arts and
T
Sciences Fall 2013W
2014
T
Daniel James Eisenstein
F
and Alicia M.
S
Soderberg
Less Detail
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing
galaxies and the composition and evolution of the Universe. Topics include the interstellar
medium; star clusters; the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way; other galaxies;
clusters of galaxies; active galaxies and quasars; cosmology; and the early universe. This
course includes an observational component: In addition to observing galaxies with the
Science Center Clay Telescope, students will use the millimeter-wavelength telescope at
the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to measure the rotation velocity of the
Milky Way galaxy and to determine its mass.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): An introductory course in mechanics, which may be taken concurrently,
satisfied by Physics lla, Physics 15a, Physics 16, or Physical Sciences 12a.
Location: Science Center 309

Astronomy 191 Astrophysics

Laboratory (3615)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
John M. Kovac
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Description: Laboratory and observational projects in astrophysics. Students design and

undertake two projects from a selection including: observational studies of the cosmic
microwave background radiation, molecules in interstellar clouds, the rotation of the
galaxy, galactic molecular sources with the submillimeter array (SMA), stars and clusters
with the Clay Telescope; and laboratory experiments including super-conducting
submillimeter detectors, x-ray CCDs, and hard x-ray imaging detectors and telescopes.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 16 or 17, or Physics 15c or equivalent.

Astronomy 2 Celestial
Navigation (2179)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
Philip M. Sadler
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Tuesday 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; Tuesday 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Description: Never be lost again! Find your way on sea, land, or air by employing celestial
and terrestrial techniques. Acquire expertise in using navigators' tools (sextant, compass,
and charts) while learning the steps to the celestial dance of the sun, moon, stars, and
planets. This 108-year-old course continues to rely on practical skills and collaborative

Course Information

Schedule

problem-solving, while utilizing historical artifacts (instruments, maps, captains' logs) and
student-built devices. Culminating in a day-long cruise to practice navigation skills.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory D Building Phillips Auditorium
Astronomy 200 S
Radiative Processes
M
in
T
Astrophysics (8993)
W
Faculty of Arts and
T
Sciences Fall 2013F
2014
S
Ramesh Narayan
Less Detail
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Description: This course offers a survey of radiative processes of astrophysical
importance from radio waves to gamma rays. Topics include thermal and non-thermal
processes, including bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, and Compton scattering;
radiation in plasmas; atomic and molecular spectra.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Physics 143a.
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
Astronomy 202a Galaxies and
Dynamics (8237)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
Daniel James
Eisenstein
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Description: An overview of extragalactic astronomy. Galaxy formation, evolution and

properties, galactic dynamics, clustering, gas dynamics, star formation and other topics at
the frontiers of extragalactic astronomy.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
S
Astronomy 202b M
Cosmology (2446)
T
Faculty of Arts and
W
Sciences Spring
T
2013-2014
F
Daniel James Eisenstein
S
and John M. Kovac
Less Detail
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Description: The cosmological principle: isotropy and homogeneity, cosmological world
models, thermal history of the Big Bang, the microwave background, inflation, growth of
density fluctuations, large scale structure and other topics at the frontiers of cosmology.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
Astronomy 215hf Topics in
Contemporary

S
M

Course Information
Astrophysics (38496)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Full Year
2013-2014
Edo Berger
Less Detail

Schedule
T
W
T
F
S
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Description: This full year half course will cover a broad range of contemporary topics in
observational and theoretical astrophysics through a set of 10-12 two-week modules
taught by members of the Astronomy Department faculty. The course will meet twice per
week, and each module will be comprised of a stand-alone topic with a single homework
assignment. Enrolled students will be required to sign up for the full year and attend half of
the offered modules.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): This course is open to all astronomy graduate students.
Location: Observatory A Building A-101

Astronomy 218 Radio

Astronomy (2883)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
James M. Moran
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Description: Historical development; diffraction theory of antennas and interferometers;

signal detection and measurement techniques. Thermal, synchrotron and spectral-line
emission in the context of radio observations of the sun, planets, pulsars, masers,
hydrogen clouds, molecular clouds, ionized regions, active galaxies, quasars, and the
cosmic background. Observational projects and laboratory exercises carried out with the
Submillimeter Array, Haystack Observatory and the CMB Laboratory.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 200 or Physics 153 recommended.
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
Astronomy 219 S
High Energy
M
Astrophysics (1858)
T
Faculty of Arts and
W
Sciences Spring
T
2013-2014
F
Jonathan E. Grindlay
S
and Alexey A. Vikhlinin
Less Detail
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Description: Discussion of relativistic and high-energy astrophysical phenomena and
observational techniques. Accretion onto compact stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black
holes); active galactic nuclei, galaxy clusters. Gamma-ray bursts and cosmic rays. X-ray
and gamma-ray background.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
Astronomy 253 Plasma
Astrophysics (64783)

S
M

Course Information

Schedule

Faculty of Arts and

T
Sciences Spring
W
2013-2014
T
Nicholas A. Murphy and
F
Steven Robert
S
Cranmer
Less Detail
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Description: This course provides an introduction to plasma physics and plasma
processes in an astrophysical context. Topics include charged particle motions, kinetic
theory, magnetohydrodynamics, waves, instabilities, dynamos, shocks, particle
acceleration, and magnetic reconnection. Specific applications may include solar and
stellar coronae (including flares), interplanetary space plasmas, magnetized accretion
disks, cosmic rays, galactic dynamos, and interstellar turbulence.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Knowledge of intermediate electromagnetism, partial differential
equations, and fluid dynamics. Ay151 (Fluid Dynamics) is recommended but not required.
Location: Observatory A Building A-101
Astronomy 300 Topics in Modern
Astrophysics (7915)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Less Detail
tbd
Description: A seminar, reading, or research course may be arranged with any of the
faculty listed. Students can also arrange to obtain Astronomy 300 credit for reading or
research with scientific staff members of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics;
consult Astronomy Department office.
Credits: Half course
Astronomy 300 Topics in Modern
Astrophysics (7915)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
Less Detail
tbd
Description: A seminar, reading, or research course may be arranged with any of the
faculty listed. Students can also arrange to obtain Astronomy 300 credit for reading or
research with scientific staff members of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics;
consult Astronomy Department office.
Credits: Half course

Astronomy 301hf Journal Club (5224)

Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Full Year
2013-2014
Edo Berger and Alicia
M. Soderberg
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Course Information

Schedule

Description: Each week two speakers (faculty, lecturers, and students) will report on
current research in astronomy, providing students with an opportunity to practice the
organization and presentation of technical material. A minimum of one presentation will be
expected from each student each year focused on their own research or new results in the
literature. Faculty will similarly discuss recent results from the literature, as well as their
own research as a way to provide an overview of research activities at the Harvard
Astronomy Department. The course is intended as an opportunity for substantive
discussion, as an opportunity to find out about research activities, and to foster interaction
between the students and faculty.
Credits: Half course
Location: Observatory Perkin Building 3/4 (Pratt Conference Room)

Astronomy 302 Scientists Teaching

Science (9869)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Philip M. Sadler
Less Detail

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Description: Learn the secrets of lecturing well, leading discussions, connecting to realworld applications, and creating tests in any scientific discipline as we focus on relevant
educational research and case studies, plus engage in practical classroom activities.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Experience as a teaching fellow or tutor.
Location: ZZZ-Observatory C Building [Retired] C-34
Astronomy 91r Supervised Reading
and Research (1545)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Spring
2013-2014
Abraham Loeb and
members of the
Department
Less Detail
Hours to be arranged
Description: Supervised reading and research in a subject of astrophysics that is not
normally included in the regular course offerings of the department.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
Astronomy 91r Supervised Reading
and Research (1545)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
Abraham Loeb and
members of the
Department
Less Detail
Hours to be arranged
Description: Supervised reading and research in a subject of astrophysics that is not
normally included in the regular course offerings of the department.

Course Information

Schedule

Credits: Half course

Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
Astronomy 98 Research Tutorial in
Astrophysics (3121)
Faculty of Arts and
Sciences Fall 20132014
Douglas Finkbeiner and
members of the
Department
Less Detail
M., 4-5:30, Tu., 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Description: This tutorial introduces students to research at the forefront of astrophysics,
and provides opportunities for students to meet with research scientists and individuals
active in science policy, education, and journalism. Students meet weekly for a lecture and
discussion over dinner with a guest speaker, preceded by a reading and a preparatory
seminar. Students will be mentored throughout the term on a research project of their
choosing. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is home to one of the largest
groups of astronomers in the world, providing extensive opportunities for undergraduate
research.
Credits: Half course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
Astronomy 99 Senior Thesis in
S
Astrophysics (5413)
M
Faculty of Arts and
T
Sciences Full Year
W
2013-2014
T
James M. Moran and
F
members of the
S
Department
Less Detail
4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Description: Individually supervised reading and research leading to the senior thesis.
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is home to one of the largest groups of
astronomers in the world, providing extensive opportunities for undergraduate research.
Credits: Full course
Prerequisite(s): Astronomy 98.
Location: Observatory Perkin Building 3/4 (Pratt Conference Room)
Copyright 2014 President & Fellows of Harvard College, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy