ASTR 201: Astronomy for Science Majors
A quantitative introduction to astrophysics — extracting physical insight from limited observations using mathematics and physics.
Course logistics
ASTR 201 is a 3-unit course required for the Astronomy pre-major. It meets twice weekly for in-person lectures; come ready to reason, not just listen.
| Course | ASTR 201 — Astronomy for Science Majors |
| Term | Spring 2027 (PLACEHOLDER — confirm) |
| Meetings | Tue & Thu, 12–1 pm (PLACEHOLDER — confirm Sp27) |
| Location | LH 245 (PLACEHOLDER — confirm Sp27) |
| Units | 3 |
| Prerequisite | Phys 195 (intro mechanics); satisfaction of the SDSU Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Assessment |
Required materials
- Textbook: Stan Owocki, Fundamentals of Astrophysics, 2nd Edition (Cambridge University Press; ISBN 9781009618007).
- iClicker for in-class scholarly engagement.
- A scientific calculator for exams (no phones or smartwatches).
Where things live
- Canvas — announcements, assignment submissions, and the gradebook.
- Course website — readings, handouts, and the practice sets.
- iClicker — in-class participation.
This is a quantitative course: we use math to build physical understanding and intuition, not rote memorization or plug-and-chug. You will practice interpreting equations, stating assumptions, and sanity-checking results (units, limits, scaling). As a required course for Astronomy pre-majors, ASTR 201 also prepares you for upper-division Physics and Astronomy coursework.
Course Objectives
Inferphysical properties of celestial objects from electromagnetic radiation — analyzing wavelength, intensity, and spectral features, and explicitly connecting observed signals to physical processes.
Assessed by:homeworkmidterm-1midterm-2final-examApplyfundamental physical principles — gravity, conservation laws, and orbital mechanics — to quantitatively justify the motions and interactions of celestial bodies.
Assessed by:homeworkmidterm-1final-examConstructand evaluate simplified physical models of stars and planets using blackbody radiation, spectral lines, and Doppler shifts, assessing their assumptions and limitations.
Assessed by:homeworkmidterm-1midterm-2final-examReasonfrom initial conditions — stellar mass and composition — to predict and explain stellar lifecycles, linking gravity, fusion, and energy balance to observed evolutionary outcomes.
Assessed by:homeworkmidterm-2final-examInferthe structure, mass distribution, and evolution of galaxies from observational evidence — rotation curves and luminosity profiles — and evaluate the necessity of dark matter.
Assessed by:homeworkmidterm-2final-examAnalyzecosmological observations and scaling relations to build a physically grounded understanding of the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the Universe.
Assessed by:homeworkfinal-examDemonstratehow astronomical observations construct, test, refine, and falsify physical models — articulating how uncertainty, assumptions, and observational limits shape scientific conclusions.
Assessed by:homeworkgrowth-memosmidterm-1midterm-2final-examEvaluatescientific claims using quantitative reasoning and physical principles — identifying disinformation and assessing real-world challenges in energy, climate, and space science.
Assessed by:homeworkgrowth-memos
Grading
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Problem sets | 30% |
| Growth memos | 10% |
| Scholarly engagement | 10% |
| Midterm 1 | 15% |
| Midterm 2 | 15% |
| Final exam | 20% |
Letter scale
| Grade | Minimum % |
|---|---|
| A | 93 |
| A- | 90 |
| B+ | 87 |
| B | 83 |
| B- | 80 |
| C+ | 77 |
| C | 73 |
| C- | 70 |
| D | 60 |
| F | 0 |
Office Hours
| Day | Time | Location | Modality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 11:00–13:00Additional times available by appointment. | Physics 239 | in-person |
Contact
Academic integrity
All submitted work in this course must reflect your own understanding. Collaboration is strongly encouraged for discussing concepts and strategies. However, what you submit must be written independently and must represent your unique reasoning. Copying solutions — from classmates, the internet, generative AI, or solution manuals — is not permitted. Violations are handled according to university procedures and may be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Generative AI policy
Do not use general-purpose AI tools to produce, rewrite, or “polish” anything you submit for a grade. Disclose AI use whenever a submission asks for AI/collaboration disclosure, even if the use was allowed. You are responsible for the correctness of your work and for being able to reproduce any reasoning you submit.
Allowed (study support):
- Clarifying your own notes or assigned readings.
- Generating practice questions (not answers to assigned problems).
- Explaining concepts at a different level for studying, not for submission.
Not allowed (graded work):
- Generating or rewriting homework solutions, derivations, or written explanations you submit.
- Submitting AI-generated reasoning you cannot reproduce on your own.
To support effective studying, the instructor provides course-specific tools grounded in course materials only (lecture notes, textbook, vetted sources), including a private ASTR 201 NotebookLM notebook.
Course materials
Lecture notes, slides, homework, and exams are the intellectual property of the instructor. You may use course materials for your own educational purposes in this course, but you may not reproduce, distribute, share, or post them on any public platform (e.g., Chegg, Course Hero, Discord servers, public GitHub repos) without written permission. Unauthorized recording or redistribution of class sessions or office hours is prohibited.
Attendance & classroom norms
We are all members of a professional academic community. Treat classmates and the instructor with respect; spirited, courteous debate about scientific ideas is welcome. Because active reasoning is the point of being in the room, phone and other non-course device use during class is not permitted. Formal attendance is not taken, but you cannot earn Scholarly Engagement credit if you are not present and participating. Please arrive on time.
Diversity & inclusivity
This classroom is a place where you will be treated with respect, and where individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, abilities, and other visible and non-visible differences are welcome. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member.
Land acknowledgement
San Diego State University sits on Kumeyaay land. The Kumeyaay people have lived in this region for over 10,000 years and continue to live here today.