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Term: Winter 2025

AZTransfer SUN courses only

AST 103 - Astronomy And Planetary Science First Year Seminar: Introduces first-year majors to the academic content, degree programs, faculty, resources, facilities, and opportunities available in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science. Pass/Fail only.
AST 180 - Introduction To Astronomy: Diurnal motion, motion of solar system objects on the background of stars, light rays and spectra, the planets, Kepler's laws, space travel, coordinates and time, the moon and eclipses, meteors, comets and the sun, stars, stellar distances and stellar evolution, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, and the big bang universe. Letter grade only.
AST 180H - Introduction To Astronomy - Honors: Diurnal motion, motion of solar system objects on the background of stars, light rays and spectra, the planets, Kepler's laws, space travel, coordinates and time, the moon and eclipses, meteors, comets and the sun, stars, stellar distances and stellar evolution, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, and the big bang universe. Letter grade only.
AST 181L - Introduction To Observational Astronomy: Lab to accompany AST 180. Astronomical observations and experiments. Use of telescope is stressed. Letter grade only.
AST 183 - Life In The Universe: Course will survey the scientific topics that comprise the key elements of "Astrobiology." These include the philosophical foundations of astrobiology as a science, astronomical sources of life's chemical building blocks and habitable environments, extremophilic organisms, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, feasibility of space travel, and the search for life in the solar system and beyond. Letter grade only.
AST 184L - Life In The Universe Laboratory: Laboratory Complement to lecture course AST 183 - "Life in the Universe." Course will survey the primary evidence for interences about the place of life in the cosmos, the history of life on earth, the role of asteroid/comet impacts and micro-meteoritic dust, and extremophilic organisms. Letter grade only.
AST 190 - Exploring The Planets: In this course, we discuss the Solar System, as it exists today. As part of this discussion, we learn not only about the planetary bodies in the Solar System, but also about the technology and laws of physics used to access that information. We also practice critical thinking in the form of using observations and data of the Solar System as it exists today to extrapolate back in time to think about how it formed. This course provides students with knowledge about the natural world and the impact of technology on exploring the natural world, and helps students develop the essential skill of critical thinking and hypothesis testing through various in-class active learning and homework assignments. Letter grade only.
AST 190L - Exploring The Planets Lab: In this course, we discuss the Solar System, as it exists today. As part of this discussion, we learn not only about the planetary bodies in the Solar System, but also about the technology and laws of physics used to access that information. We also practice critical thinking in the form of using observations and data of the Solar System as it exists today to extrapolate back in time to think about how it formed. This course provides students with knowledge about the natural world and the impact of technology on exploring the natural world, and helps students develop the essential skill of critical thinking and hypothesis testing through various in-class active learning and homework assignments. Letter grade only.
AST 199 - Special Topics: Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.
AST 201 - Introduction To Indigenous Astronomy: This is a course in comparative astronomy, as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples and western astronomers, which provides an introduction to ancient and living astronomies of native cultures. Letter grade only.
AST 210 - Celebrating Diversity In Astronomy: In this course, we discuss the contributions to astronomy by people with identities that differ from those we typically see in textbooks, and do not always gain the same recognition for their work. Students will learn about the cultural contexts, the scientific work, and legacy of these diverse individuals. This course helps students develop the essential skill of critical thinking through various and abundant active learning in class. Letter grade only.
AST 233L - Experimental Techniques For Laboratory Research: The purpose of this class is to give students hands-on experience to develop skills that would be useful to a variety of laboratory research. These skills will be useful for a range of undergraduate and post-graduate research opportunities. This will include topics such as learning basic machining, electronics, vacuum techniques, data analysis, as well as use of general equipment. Pass/Fail only.
AST 280 - Introduction To Astrophysics: Calculus-based introductory astrophysics course covering solar system mechanics, overview of planets, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes, stellar evolution, galactic structure, interstellar medium, galaxies, and cosmology. Letter grade only.
AST 299 - Special Topics: In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
AST 333W - Laboratory Techniques In Astronomy And Planetary Science: The fields of astronomy and planetary science are rooted in data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and presenting results through scientific and technical writing. This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in all of these critically important areas. Students will design research projects, acquire data using field-specific scientific equipment, analyze and interpret these data using a variety of analytical techniques, and produce written reports to clearly disseminate their results. Techniques include sample preparation, machining and 3D printing, and various spectroscopic and modeling approaches. These student-led research projects will teach students the importance of clear communication, teamwork, collaborative research efforts, and revision of written work. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
AST 389 - Cooperative Education: Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Department consent required. Pass-Fail only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Please complete the Cooperative Education Proposal form and obtain signatures of approval BEFORE registering. https://policy.nau.edu/policy/Documents/Cooperative_Education_Form_121317.pdf
AST 390 - Astrophysics: The Solar System: Physical processes governing the origin and evolution of the solar system and the objects within it. Letter grade only.
AST 390H - Astrophysics: The Solar System - Honors: Physical processes governing the origin and evolution of the solar system and the objects within it. Letter grade only.
AST 391 - Astrophysics: Stars: Stellar atmospheres and interiors; star formation and stellar evolution. Letter grade only.
AST 392 - Astrophysics: Galaxies And Cosmology: Structure of the Milky Way and other galaxies; interstellar medium; quasars; cosmology. Letter grade only.
AST 399 - Special Topics: In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.
AST 401 - Observational Astronomy: Time and coordinates, spherical triangle, astrometry; photographic and electronic imaging; astronomical optics; orbital elements; photometry, spectroscopy. Co-convened with AST 580. Letter grade only.
AST 401H - Observational Astronomy - Honors: Time and coordinates, spherical triangle, astrometry; photographic and electronic imaging; astronomical optics; orbital elements; photometry, spectroscopy. Letter grade only.
AST 401L - Observational Astronomy Lab: Lab for AST 401. Letter grade only.
AST 401LH - Observational Astronomy Lab - Nonors: Lab for AST 401. Letter grade only.
AST 408 - Fieldwork Experience: Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 units.
AST 408H - Fieldwork Experience: Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 units.
AST 455 - Planetary Applications Of Remote Sensing: This course will cover the techniques and tools used in the remote sensing of planetary surfaces. These topics include the source and properties of electromagnetic radiation, its interaction with surfaces and atmospheres, its receipt and interpretation through instrumentation, and its display and analysis by investigators back on Earth. Co-convened with AST 555. 2 hrs lecture, 3 hrs lab. Letter grade only.
AST 460 - Planetary Gemorphology: This course is an advanced undergraduate course in the surface geology of planetary bodies in the inner and outer Solar System. Course objectives are: 1) to learn to recognize the basic morphology created by various geologic processes, and 2) understand the associated physics that created the morphology. Students will gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of common planetary landforms, their modes of formation, and their implications for planetary processes. This understanding will be gained through lectures, laboratory exercises, homework assignments, and a semester-long project in planetary geologic mapping. Co-convened with AST 560. Letter grade only.
AST 465 - Planetary Geodynamics: This is an advanced undergraduate course in planetary geodynamics. Students will gain intuitive and quantitative physical understanding of processes that are important in the geodynamical evolution of planetary bodies (planets, moons, other bodies). Topics such as stress and strain, flexure, heat transfer, gravity, fluid mechanics, and rheology will be quantitatively developed and evaluated in terms of observable effects on the Earth and other bodies in the Solar System. Co-convened with AST 565. Letter grade only.
AST 470 - Astrochemistry: This course covers the synthesis of elements in stars, partitioning of elements between solids, liquids, and gas during the formation of the Solar System, an overview of the chemistry of extraterrestrial materials, isotopic tools to investigate planet formation, a chemical timeline of the Solar System, and chemical case studies of asteroids, comets, and planets. Co-convened with AST 570. Letter grade only.
AST 485 - Undergraduate Research: Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Department consent required.
AST 485H - Undergrad Research - Honors: Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Department consent required.
AST 496C - Capstone Experience In Astronomy: Culminating capstone experience in astronomy and planetary science. The course is centered on designing and constructing research proposals, managing projects, and reviewing literature. Resume/CV preparation, conference attendance and presentations, and other career-building topics will also be discussed. Letter grade only.
AST 497 - Independent Study: Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Letter grade or pass-fail. No repeat limit. Department consent required. Please complete the Independent Study Proposal form and obtain signatures of approval BEFORE registering. https://nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/Independent_Study_Form_FINAL-3.pdf
AST 499 - Contemporary Developments: Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. Letter grade only. No repeat limit.
AST 501 - Fundamentals Of Planetary Science I: Physical and chemical processes that are fundamental to the formation and habitability of planetary systems are examined using observations and models of molecular clouds, protoplanetary disks, small solar system bodies, solar system planets, and planets around other stars. Key topics include star and planet formation, protoplanetary disks, reservoirs of small bodies in the solar system, solar system planetary interiors and atmospheres, extra-solar planets, and planetary habitability. Letter grade only.
AST 502 - Fundamentals Of Planetary Science II: This course focuses on the present day physics that structures the solar system, its evolution, and planetary processes. The course is a comprehensive and in-depth overview of fundamental physical processes relevant in current astronomy and planetary science research. The physical processes involved include solar radiation, gravity and orbital dynamics, space weathering, radioactivity, atmospheric processes, impacts, and phase changes. These processes will be explored from a first-principles approach to quantify their effect on relevant bodies such as the terrestrial planets, the gas and ice planets, rings, and the minor planets including asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt Objects. Letter grade only.
AST 510 - Exoplanet Science: This course examines basic principles in planetary atmospheres and interiors as applied to observable properties of extrasolar planets (exoplanets). Detection techniques are reviewed in detail, including radial velocity, astrometry, transit, high-contrast imaging, and microlensing. Special attention is given to the feasibility of the search for Earth-like planets, biosignatures and habitable conditions on exoplanets. Letter grade only.
AST 520 - Astroinformatics: Big Data In Astronomy: This course provides training in the fundamentals of astroinformatics: applying "big data" techniques to research topics in astronomy. Course material will include case studies of astroinformatics projects that exist presently and that are coming in the future; tutorials in computational approaches; exposure to relevant statistical approaches; and training in creating informatics research topics. The course will conclude with a term project in which students will apply the skills they have learned to existing data sets. Letter grade only.
AST 530 - Topics In Astronomy: In-depth study of selected topics in astronomy and planetary science. Topics will vary depending on instructor's expertise. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 9 units of credit.
AST 550 - Spectroscopy: This course is a lecture-based course that meets for three hours per week to discuss the fundamental principles, and to develop the analytical tools to apply these principles to various scientific problems. These topics will be introduced in class and supplemented with assigned readings that support the course lectures. These readings will be assigned weekly from outside materials. Homework sets will be assigned to explore spectroscopic principles and to provide practice in their application. In the first half of the semester, students will develop a short proposal on a topic related their interests that is relevant to spectroscopy. Students will work with the instructor to develop a topic suitable for the proposal. In the latter half of the course, students will examine how to apply spectroscopic instruments to current research questions and will develop a spectrometer instrument concept proposal.
AST 555 - Planetary Applications Of Remote Sensing: This course will cover the techniques and tools used in the remote sensing of planetary surfaces. These topics include the source and properties of electromagnetic radiation, its interaction with surfaces and atmospheres, its receipt and interpretation through instrumentation, and its display and analysis by investigators back on Earth. Co-convened with AST 455. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
AST 560 - Planetary Gemorphology: This course is a beginning graduate course in the surface geology of planetary bodies in the inner and outer Solar System. It serves as an elective in the Ph.D. program in Astronomy and Planetary Science and is co-convened with AST 460, an advanced undergraduate elective. Course objectives are: 1) to learn to recognize the basic morphology created by various geologic processes, and 2) understand the associated physics that created the morphology. Students will gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of common planetary landforms, their modes of formation, and their implications for planetary processes. This understanding will be gained through lectures, laboratory exercises, homework assignments, and a semester-long project in planetary geologic mapping, which will be written up as a conference-style abstract with references. Co-convened with AST 460. Letter grade only.
AST 565 - Planetary Geodynamics: This is a graduate course in planetary geodynamics. Students will gain intuitive and quantitative physical understanding of processes that are important in the geodynamical evolution of planetary bodies (planets, moons, other bodies). Topics such as stress and strain, flexure, heat transfer, gravity, fluid mechanics, and rheology will be quantitatively developed and evaluated in terms of observable effects on the Earth and other bodies in the Solar System. Co-convened with AST 465. Letter grade only.
AST 570 - Astrochemistry: This course covers the synthesis of elements in stars, partitioning of elements between solids, liquids, and gas during the formation of the Solar System, an overview of the chemistry of extraterrestrial materials, isotopic tools to investigate planet formation, a chemical timeline of the Solar System, and chemical case studies of asteroids, comets, and planets. Co-convened with AST 470. Letter grade only.
AST 580 - Techniques In Observational Astronomy: Acquisition and reduction of modern astronomical data, emphasizing imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. 3 hrs. lecture, 1 hr. lab. Co-convened with AST 401. Letter grade only. Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of undergraduate modern physics course (PHY 361) and graduate status.
AST 593 - Public In-service Workshop: Topical instruction involving exchange of ideas, practical methods, skills, and principles. You many count up to 6 hours of 593 toward your graduate program. Pass-fail only. No repeat limit.
AST 596 - Planetary Analogs Field Course: This course will focus on a variety of field sites relevant for understanding planetary processes and interpretation of data from our solar system. Each field site, which will rotate on every offering, will be designed to provide specific insight into a process, formation mechanism, geologic expression or remote sensing technique that has direct relevance for planetary science investigations. Particular emphasis will be placed on student-led field guides, where students will develop a thorough understanding of the field site, lead the field trip and develop assignments. There will be 2-4 lecture hours per semester and 5-20 lab (i.e., field site) hours per semester. Pass/Fail only.
AST 597 - Reading For Comprehensive Exam: Preparation for comprehensive examination. Pass-Fail only.
AST 599 - Contemporary Developments: Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area of a particular field of study. May be offered no more than three times before being submitted for a permanent course number. May be repeated for credit. Letter grade only.
AST 608 - Fieldwork Experience: Supervised field experience in an appropriate agency, organization, or situation. Pass/Fail only. May not exceed 12 units of credit.
AST 685 - Graduate Research: Individualized directed research on selected topics. Pass-fail or letter grade, depending on department policy. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
AST 687 - Professional Development Seminar: Designed to assist in preparing you for entry into your professional arena. Pass-Fail or letter grade, depending on department policy.
AST 698 - Graduate Seminar: Reading and discussion on selected advanced topics. Pass-Fail or letter grade, depending on department policy.
AST 699 - Thesis: Individualized directed research, writing, and oral defense of selected thesis topic. Pass-Fail only.
AST 799 - Dissertation: Individualized directed research, writing, and oral defense of selected dissertation topic. Pass-Fail only. May be repeated for credit.