An opportunity for a qualified student to explore work in an area of individual interest, selected and pursued in consultation with a faculty member. Consent required of the instructor who will supervise the independent study.

Quantitative and descriptive view of the origins, structure, contents, and evolution of our solar system. Class includes both lecture and hands on lab exercises and the basics of night sky observing. Topics include formation of the solar system, planets and other bodies, current research missions, exploration and potential colonization.

Quantitative and descriptive view of the origins, structure, contents, and evolution of our universe. Class includes both lecture and hands on lab exercises and the basics of night sky observing. Topics include light and telescopes, the origin, structure, and evolution of stars and the universe, and galactic classification and evolution.

An in-depth study of the solar system, stellar evolution, exoplanets, binary and variable stars, black holes, the effects of dark matter and dark energy on the evolution of the universe. Emphasis will be given to historical and cultural influences leading to present day understanding.