PHYS 4090 - Stellar Astrophysics

This course introduces students to one of the most active areas of research in astrophysics. It is intended for students who have taken a first course in astronomy and are interested in learning more. It also satisfies requirements of the astrophysics emphasis and astronomy minor. We focus on understanding how stars function by using physical concepts and observational results. Topics include star formation; nucleosynthesis & stellar evolution (including discussion of supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, and stellar black holes); radiative transfer and energy transport; stellar atmospheres and interiors. The course will introduce concepts of statistical and quantum mechanics, and aspects of relativity, as needed to help explore the course topics.