Graduate Bulletin
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1996-1997
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Astronomy
In the College of Sciences
Office: Physics-Astronomy 210
Telephone: (619) 594-6182
Fax: (619) 594-1413
Ronald J. Angione, Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy, Chair of Department, Director of Mount Laguna Observatory
C. T. Daub, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy
(Graduate Adviser)
Paul B. Etzel, Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy
Allen W. Shafter, Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy
Arthur Young, Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy
Thomas L. May, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Astronomy
Freddie D. Talbert, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Astronomy
Robert Leach, Ph.D., Senior Staff Scientist
(equivalent rank of Professor)
K.P. Cheng, Ph.D., Astronomy
Paul M. Hintzen, Ph.D., Astronomy
John M. Hood, Ph.D., Physics
William S. Kovach, Ph.D., Astronomy
Andrew T. Young, Ph.D., Astronomy
Graduate teaching associateships in astronomy are available to a few qualified students. Application blanks and additional information may be secured from the chair of the department.
The Department of Astronomy, in the College of Sciences, offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in astronomy. The degree is designed to prepare students either for further graduate work leading to the doctorate, or for a professional career in teaching or in industry.
San Diego State University operates the Mount Laguna Observatory which is located 45 road miles east of the campus at an elevation of 6100 feet. The research telescopes at the observatory include three reflectors with apertures of 40, 24 and 16 inches. The 40-inch telescope is operated jointly with the University of Illinois. Auxiliary equipment for the telescopes includes photoelectric photometers, spectrographs, and CCD camera for direct imaging. A dormitory for observers and a shop-laboratory building complete the main research facilities at the observatory. Additionally, each telescope dome has a PC for data collection and on-line reduction. A central, general-purpose, Sun Sparc station computer provides on-line data bases as well as reduction and analysis capabilities. Associated with the observatory is the Awona Harrington Visitor Center which provides facilities for educational programs and for visiting astronomers.
The Department of Astronomy operates its own image processing facility with a main computer and printer/plotter peripherals. Many of the nearly 40 departmental PC's, as well as the six Sun Sparc stations, are connected to the main computer, as well as to the San Diego Super Computer Center.
Campus facilities also include a Clark 12-inch refractor, 12-inch and 16-inch reflectors, solar telescope, and a Spitz AP3 planetarium for use in introductory classes and public programs. In addition to the campus library, the department maintains its own library with computer access to data bases.
A main research interest in the department is the study of the structure and evolution of stars derived from the investigation of eclipsing and interacting binary stars. These studies make use of both photometry and spectroscopy at the observatory. Stellar evolution is further studied with photometry of star clusters. Information on the late stages of stellar evolution comes from both theoretical and observational studies of planetary nebulae. Galaxies are investigated through surface photometry using direct imaging. The department also has a strong CCD instrumentation program. Graduate students are extensively involved in many of these research programs. Students also may make use of observatory facilities in support of their own research.
All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Part Two of this bulletin. In addition, the student must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 units of his undergraduate work and must have preparation in astronomy and related sciences substantially equivalent to that required for the bachelor's degree in astronomy at San Diego State University. Applicants transferring to San Diego State University must submit two letters of recommendation.
All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as specified in Part Two of this bulletin. In addition, students may be required to take a qualifying examination during their first semester of residence.
In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master's degree as described in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must also meet the following departmental requirements in a 30-unit program:
- 1. Complete the 15-unit core course curriculum (Astronomy
620, 630, 640, 660, and 680).
- 2. Complete at least 12 additional units of graduate level or
approved 500 level courses in astronomy or related fields as
approved by departmental committee.
- 3. Complete Astronomy 799A (Thesis, 3 units) and pass a final
oral examination on the thesis.
- 4. A reading knowledge of scientific French, German, or Russian is recommended. Facility with a scientific computing language is desirable.
596. Advanced Topics in Astronomy (2 or 3) I, II
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Selected topics in theoretical astronomy or astrophysics. May be repeated with new content upon approval of instructor. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596 applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum combined credit of six units of 596 and 696 applicable to a 30-unit master's degree.
600. Seminar (2 or 3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An intensive study in advanced astronomy. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
610. Binary Stars (3)
Prerequisite: Astronomy 450.
Visual, spectroscopic, and eclipsing binary stars. Review of observational techniques. Methods of orbital analysis with applications emphasizing determination of fundamental stellar properties, such as mass, radius, temperature, and luminosity. Implications for stellar evolution.
620. Galactic Structure (3)
Prerequisite: Astronomy 450.
Survey of basic observational data for determining structure of Milky Way Galaxy. Includes luminosity functions, stellar distributions, solar motion, stellar populations, kinematics and dynamics of general and peculiar stellar motions.
630. Stellar Atmospheres and Interiors (3)
Prerequisite: Astronomy 450.
Gas thermodynamics and equations of state. Production of stellar continuum radiation and spectral lines. Theories of radiative and convective energy transport. Interior structure and evolution of stars.
640. Interstellar Medium (3)
Prerequisites: Astronomy 450 and Mathematics 342A.
Atomic radiative and collisional processes. Gas, dust, grains, and dynamics of the interstellar medium. Emission and planetary nebulae. Active galactic nuclei.
660. Galaxies and Cosmology (3)
Prerequisite: Astronomy 450.
Morphology, photometric, and spectroscopic properties, dynamics, and evolution of normal galaxies. Current interpretations of peculiar galaxies and QSO's. The extragalactic distance scale. Observational cosmology.
680. Astronomical Techniques (3) I
Prerequisites: Astronomy 350 and 450.
Basic methods of data acquisition and analysis. Emphasis is given to CCD direct imaging, spectroscopy, and photometry. Direct experience with telescopes and instruments at Mount Laguna Observatory, as well as with the department computing and image processing facility.
797. Research (1-3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisite: Classified graduate standing.
Research in one of the fields of astronomy. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
798. Special Study (1-3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisite: Consent of staff; to be arranged with department
chair and instructor.
Individual study. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
799A. Thesis (3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisites: An officially appointed thesis committee and
advancement to candidacy.
Preparation of a project or thesis for the master's degree.
799B. Thesis Extension (0) Cr/NC
Prerequisite: Prior registration in Thesis 799A with an assigned
grade symbol of SP.
Registration required in any semester or term following assignment of SP in Course 799A in which the student expects to use the facilities and resources of the university; also student must be registered in the course when the completed thesis is granted final approval.
