Introductory Astronomy

A survey course that uses introductory physics — gravitation, optics, spectroscopy, thermal radiation — as the lens for understanding how the universe actually works, from planetary motion up to cosmology. You'll work through problem sets on celestial coordinates, Kepler's laws, and stellar properties, plus assignments that involve interpreting real telescopic data and simulations rather than just memorizing facts about planets and stars. It's a standalone elective for non-astronomy majors, but if you're curious about astrophysics it gives you the qualitative scaffolding (HR diagram, stellar evolution, galaxy structure) that later upper-level physics electives assume you've seen.