Astronomy Courses
"We wish to find the truth, no matter where it lies. But to find the truth we need imagination and skepticism both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact."
"Cosmos", Carl Sagan
Hear Carl Sagan speak on the nature of wormholes, and their relation to his novel "Contact" by clicking here
Please note: Although the following
departmental guidelines and descriptions may be used as a reference regarding course and/or major
requirements, they are NOT official (catalog) course descriptions. For official (catalog) information, please visit http://www.keene.edu
ASTR 101 ELEMENTARY ASTRONOMY Sample Syllabus
Survey course presenting a quantitative and descriptive view of current knowledge in the field and the methods used to acquire data. Historical and cultural perspective, tools of the astronomer, underlying astrophysical principles, solar and recently-obtained geological and planetary data, and origin and evolution of the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets. Occasional planetarium or observing sessions augment lectures. (Not open for credit toward a major program in science).
Please note from the above description that this is NOT a course in stargazing, constellation identification, or amateur astronomy. If this activity interests you contact Keene Amateur Astronomers . This is a great group with which I have spent many enjoyable evenings. Children welcome. Access to observatory with membership. The course is also NOT astrology, a pseudo-science which may be entertaining, but has no basis in reality. In addition, students in this course will be expected to attend lectures, study, complete homework assignments, perform on exams, read the text, and think critically. While there is no expectation of any science background and only simple arithmetic and algebra concepts are used, students will be introduced to the scientific concepts such as the nature of light and how it interacts with matter and nuclear processes within stars necessary to understand HOW the universe and its components (stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes,galaxies, etc.) are observed, what they are, and how they work. This is a college-level course, albeit an introductory-level one which is recommended for a student who would like to have some fun while learning about some of the most stimulating and mind-stretching topics to be found. Instructor is Prof. Russell Harkay, recipient of Am. Assoc. of Physics Teachers award for ability to convey fundamental concepts, reaching students at the most conceptual, introductory level and ability to popularize science. Highly recommended for education majors and anyone of an inquisitive nature. For a more comprehensive course, those with a science/math background are encouraged to enroll in University Astronomy instead.
ASTR 307 UNIVERSITY ASTRONOMY Sample Syllabus
An in-depth study of contemporary astronomy. Emphasis on deep space objects, their properties and evolution; methods of data acquisition and analysis; cosmology, planetary geology, lunar, and solar research. Occasional viewing sessions augment lectures. Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent including scientific notation, algebra, and logarithms. No integrals or differential equations used.
Highly recommended for geology, math/phys, chem/phys majors and anyone with some math/science background who would like a more in-depth survey course of the Universe. Some Physics or physical science is desirable. Concepts of modern physics are introduced and employed in explaining how astronomers use light as a tool to determine how the universe and its components function. Other astrophysical concepts include light and its interaction with matter, elementary concepts of thermodynamics, relativity, and nuclear processes. Instructor: Prof. J. R. Harkay.
Visit our Elementary Intro to Astronomy Home Page here
You may also link to the following KSC sites:
Keene State College Main Page
Physics Main Page
Courses:
Physics Courses
Astronomy Courses
Majors/Minors:
Chem/Physics Major
Math/Physics Major
General Science Education Major
Physics Minor
Faculty:
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Assorted:
Potential Physics Major Letter
Links Page
Physics Phun Page
KSC Society of Physics Students
For current KSC students:
Intro/Astronomy
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