This spring the physics department will offer two astronomy courses: PHYS 108 Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and the Big Bang; and PHYS 208 Introduction to Astrophysics. Since PHYS 208 is a new course, and there are new limitations on who may take PHYS 108, this advice is intended to guide students and their advisors during course selection.
PHYS 108 assumes no prior college mathematics or physics experience, and is primarily intended for non-STEM majors fulfilling their NS requirements. While equations/problem-solving is included, conceptual understanding is emphasized. With this in mind, the course is now closed to students who have taken calculus-based introductory mechanics (PHYS 131 or PHYS 151).
PHYS 208 is a new course that is better suited for students who have taken an introductory mechanics course. PHYS 208 will assume that students have learned the basics of gravity and mathematical problem-solving, allowing the course to include more topics and to delve more deeply into the physical reasons for cosmic phenomena.
For spring 2025, PHYS 108 and 208 labs will share lab times, which will hopefully ease student scheduling constraints. The two lab sections will take place on Monday 1:15-4 and 7-9:45.
Students who have never taken physics should continue to register for PHYS 108 as before.
Students with credit for PHYS 111 (algebra-based mechanics) may choose whether to take PHYS 108 or 208. A student pursuing (or intending to pursue) a physics, math, or engineering major, or who is otherwise comfortable with algebraic problem-solving, will likely prefer PHYS 208.
Students with credit for PHYS 131/151 (calculus-based mechanics) should register for PHYS 208. This course will be more appropriate for their experience and typical interests. PHYS 208 also fulfills elective requirements for the Physics minor and the BS Physics major, while PHYS 104/108 can only count towards the AB Physics major.
PHYS 108: Spring 2023 syllabus, Spring 2024 syllabus (note one-time adjustments for the solar eclipse)
PHYS 208: Draft syllabus for Spring 2025
If you still have questions, please reach out to Prof. Stephanie Douglas.