ASTRO 101 - Black Holes

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

An introduction to the science of black holes and its connection to how black holes are portrayed in popular culture and news. Topics include: properties of light; introduction to gravity, relativity and quantum physics; life cycle of stars; measurements of black hole properties; observed features of black holes interacting with their environment; event horizons, the ergosphere, and singularities; quantum black holes, information, and Hawking radiation; gravitational lensing; gravitational radiation. Prerequisites: Math 30-1. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has been obtained in ASTRO 122.

ASTRO 120 - Astronomy of the Solar System

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

The development of astronomy and astronomical techniques, including results obtained from the latest orbiting observatories. The origin, evolution and nature of the Earth, the other planets and non-planetary bodies will be discussed. Viewing experience will be available using the campus observatory. Prerequisites: Mathematics 30-1 and Physics 30.

PHYS 574 - Data Analysis in Physics

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

This course teaches the principles for designing physics experiments and analyzing data to obtain robust results. It explores the choice of experimental methods and conditions used for data collection and examines important techniques used for data analysis. Topics include: experimental and numerical noise/background sources, characteristics, and mitigation; sampling, replicates, and controls; probability distributions; parameter estimation; error estimation and confidence levels; model selection, model fitting, and hypothesis testing; non-parametric analyses; applications of frequentist and Bayesian statistics; modes of failure in measurements and analysis.