Welcome to the Department of Astronomy's general education class web site. The Department of Astronomy and the Department of Planetary Science currently offer courses that can be used to satisfy general education degree requirements. The University catalog descriptions of each course are given below. Here we provide a brief summary of the offerings.
ASTR 170A1 -- Alien Earths (3 units)
Description: Thousands of planets have been discovered orbiting nearby stars. How many of these worlds can we expect to be Earth-like? We explore this question from the perspective of astronomers, geologists, and historians. We look back at Earth's geologic history to periods when our planet itself would appear very alien to us today. We study the nearby planets Venus and Mars, which were once more Earth-like than today. We discuss not only the evolution of Earth, Venus, and Mars as habitable worlds but also how human understanding of these planets has evolved. Finally, we apply these perspectives to the search for alien Earths in our galaxy. This interdisciplinary treatment of Earth, its neighboring planets, and planets being discovered around nearby stars allows us to consider the potentially unique position of Earth as a habitable world not only in space but in time.
Approved as: General Education: Building Connections; Identical to: PTYS 170A1; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
ASTR 170B1 -- Exploring our Universe (3 units)
Description: This course tells the story of how astronomers explore our Universe. You will engage in a variety of activities that illustrate historical and contemporary ideas and methods which reveal the mysteries of the Cosmos. Astronomy will be placed in a cultural context that allows you to reflect on the relevance of science in society today.
Approved as: Exploring Perspectives: Natural Science
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
ASTR 170B2 -- Universe and Humanity: Exploring our Place in Space (3 units)
Description: This course places the Earth and humanity in a broad cosmic context and seeks to answer fundamental questions about our surroundings. Where are we and where do we come from? What is matter made of and what processes created it? What are different types of stars like and where does our Sun fit in? What is the role of stars in shaping the cosmos and the planets orbiting them? How did the Sun, the Earth, and the other planets in the solar system form? What are the planets in the solar system like and are there other planetary systems like ours? In addition to exploring these questions, this course will help students to understand how we have arrived at our current view of the universe, with a focus on the scientific method and the history of astronomy.
Approved as: Exploring Perspectives: Natural Science; Identical to: PTYS 170B2; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered: Fall.
ASTR 202 -- Life in the Universe: Are We Alone? (3 units)
Description: Are we alone in the Universe? This is one of the biggest questions humans can ask, and we confront it head-on in this course. This course is an introduction to astrobiology where students explore diverse perspectives of astronomers, physicists, biologists, geologists, and more. Astrobiology is driven by large telescopes, space missions, lab experiments, and continued exploration of the full range of terrestrial life. We will bring these perspectives to bear on questions of the solar system formation, evidence of first life on early Earth, where we can find potential life in the solar system, extrasolar planets and detection methods, habitable zone in the extrasolar planetary systems and more. This multiple perspective course offers students the chance to explore our Universe and to discuss possibilities of life starting from our home planet to the Solar System's other planets and moons, out to extrasolar planets in other alien solar systems. Through this journey we will place our Solar System into context within the Universe.
Approved as: General Education: Building Connections
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
ASTR 206 -- Exploring our Solar System (3 units)
Description: Our Solar System is filled with an incredible diversity of objects. These include the sun and planets, of course, but also many hundreds of moons -- some with exotic oceans, erupting volcanoes, or dynamic atmospheres. Billions of asteroids and comets inhabit the space between and beyond the planets. Each body is unique, and has followed its own evolutionary history. This class will explore our current understanding of the Solar System and emphasize similarities that unite the different bodies as well as the differences between them. We will develop an understanding of physical processes that occur on these bodies, including tectonics, impact cratering, volcanism, and processes operating in their interiors, oceans, and atmospheres. We will also discuss planets around nearby stars and the potential for life beyond Earth. Throughout the class, we will highlight the leading role that the University of Arizona has played in exploring our Solar System.
Approved as: Exploring Perspectives: Natural Scientist; Identical to: PTYS 206; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
ASTR 214 -- Life in the Cosmos (3 units)
Description: This course explores key questions in astrobiology and planetary science about the origin and evolution of life on Earth and the possibility that such phenomena have arisen elsewhere in the Universe. We examine what it means for a planet to be alive at scales ranging from cellular processes up to global impacts of biological activity. We survey international space-exploration activities to search for life within the Solar System, throughout our Galaxy, and beyond.
Approved as: General Education: Building Connections; Identical to: PTYS 214; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
ASTR 333 -- Astronomy and the Arts (3 units)
Description: Course examines astronomical ideas in works of literature, art, and music. It then contextualizes each work as a bridge between the history of astronomy and the history of the arts. A diverse assortment of cultural works from different periods will be examined, both for their astronomy and for their art. These include novels, philosophical tales, poetry, painting, music and operas. Classroom sessions will be a combination of lecture and discussion. There will be mid-term, a final exam, several short papers and a research project.
Approved as: General Education: Building Connections
Usually offered: Fall, Spring.
For further information contact the Astronomy Academic Office:
Department of Astronomy Academic Office
933 N Cherry Avenue, Room N204
Tucson AZ 85721-0065
Phone: (520) 621-2288
Fax: (520) 621-1532