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ASTR 501 Full Syllabus

Course Number & Title: ASTR 501 Introduction to Computing
Course Website: https://ua-2025q3-astr501-513.github.io

Semester and Year: Fall 2025
Time: Tuesday 2:00-3:35pm
Location: Steward Observatory, Room 208

Description of Course

Introduction to computing for incoming astronomy and astrophysics graduate students. Course will cover basics of programming in Python and C++, including commonly-used libraries for astronomical research, an introduction to computer hardware including coprocessors such as GPUs, and some introductory concepts from computer science.

Course Prerequisites or Co-requisites

This course is recommended in conjunction with ASTR 513 Statistical and Computational Methods in Astrophysics.

Instructor and Contact Information

Instructor: Chi-kwan Chan
Email: chanc@arizona.edu (please include “ASTR 501” in subjects of emails)
Office: Steward Observatory N332
Office Hours: TBD

Instructor: Shuo Kong
Email: shuokong@arizona.edu (please include “ASTR 501” in subjects of emails)
Office: Steward Observatory N328
Office Hours: TBD

Course Format and Teaching Methods

Live in person; lecture and lab combination.

Course Objectives

ASTR 501 aims to develop students’ proficiency in applying statistical and computational methods to astrophysical research. Through hands-on labs and presentations, students will gain experience of how to employ statistic techniques for analyzing and interpreting astrophysical data, as well as developing numerical algorithms to solve a variety of problems. The course will also empower students to independently learn new computational tools, recognize common pitfalls, and critically evaluate the implications of their findings.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Policies of Course

Absence and Class Participation Policy

The UA policy concerning Class Attendance and Participation is available at: https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/courses-credit/courses/class-attendance-participation.

The UA policy regarding absences for any sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice will be accommodated where reasonable, http://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/religious-accommodation-policy.

Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean Designee) will be honored. See: https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/policies/attendance-policies-and-practices

Participating in the course and attending lectures and other course events are vital to the learning process. As such, attendance is required at all lectures and discussion section meetings. Absences may affect a student’s final course grade. If you anticipate being absent, are unexpectedly absent, or are unable to participate in class online activities, please contact me as soon as possible. To request a disability-related accommodation to this attendance policy, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (520) 621-3268 or disability@arizona.edu. If you are experiencing unexpected barriers to your success in your courses, the Dean of Students Office is a central support resource for all students and may be helpful. The Dean of Students Office is located in the Robert L. Nugent Building, room 100, or call 520-621-7057.

Makeup Policy for Students Who Register Late

Statement on whether students who register after the first class meeting may make up missed assignments/quizzes and the deadline for doing so.

Course Communications

Email is the official method to communicate with the instructor and teaching assistant outside scheduled classes and office hours.

Course Materials

Required Texts or Readings

Required Text: None

References:

Required or Special Materials

As a course on computational physics, students are excepted to have access to computers. Although not required, students will be encouraged to install popular development tools such as git, python, and JupyterLab to their computers.

Required Extracurricular Activities

The instructor will provide students additional online videos to broaden the students’ knowledge on computational physics. When bundled with assignments, students are required to watch them. When provided as references, the videos are optional.

Near the end of the semester, students are encouraged to join a field trip to UA’s Computer Center and see our supercomputers.

Assignments and Examinations

Schedule/Due Dates

This course includes 12 in-class, hands-on labs. There should be enough time during class for students to finish the labs.

Writing Requirement

Although this is not a writing intensive course, good documentation is essential in communicating science and developing software, and will be used in evaluating homework and/or projects.

Final Examination or Project

There is a final project for this course. Project presentations are scheduled on November 26th and December 3rd.

Grading Scale and Policies

This course provides pass/fail grades. Students who finish majority of hands-on labs and create reasonable projects would receive pass grades.

Incomplete (I) or Withdrawal (W): Requests for incomplete (I) or withdrawal (W) must be made in accordance with University policy, which is available at https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/courses-credit/grading/grading-system.

Dispute of Grade Policy: If a student disagrees on his or her grade on a homework assignment or a project, the student must send the instructor a formal request through email to re-evaluate the grade within a week from the time that the student receives the grade. Because no scaling will be applied in the final grade, the final grade cannot be re-evaluated. A student is expected to know his or her own performance throughout the course.

Scheduled Topics/Activities

See Schedule.

Code of Conduct

Classroom Behavior Policy

To foster a positive learning environment, students and instructors have a shared responsibility. We want a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where all of us feel comfortable with each other and where we can challenge ourselves to succeed. To that end, our focus is on the tasks at hand and not on extraneous activities (e.g., texting, chatting, reading a newspaper, making phone calls, web surfing, etc.).

Threatening Behavior Policy

The UA Threatening Behavior by Students Policy prohibits threats of physical harm to any member of the University community, including to oneself. See http://policy.arizona.edu/education-and-student-affairs/threatening-behavior-students.

Accessibility and Accommodations

At the University of Arizona, we strive to make learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on disability or pregnancy, please contact the Disability Resource Center (520-621-3268, https://drc.arizona.edu) to establish reasonable accommodations.

Code of Academic Integrity

Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principles and applications of course materials. However, graded work/exercises must be the product of independent effort unless otherwise instructed. Students are expected to adhere to the UA Code of Academic Integrity as described in the UA General Catalog. See: https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/student-rights-responsibilities/academic-integrity.

The University Libraries have some excellent tips for avoiding plagiarism, available at https://lib.arizona.edu/research/citing/plagiarism.

Selling class notes and/or other course materials to other students or to a third party for resale is not permitted without the instructor’s express written consent. Violations to this and other course rules are subject to the Code of Academic Integrity and may result in course sanctions. Additionally, students who use D2L or UA e-mail to sell or buy these copyrighted materials are subject to Code of Conduct Violations for misuse of student e-mail addresses. This conduct may also constitute copyright infringement.

Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy

The University of Arizona is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination. In support of this commitment, the University prohibits discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, based on a protected classification, including race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. For more information, including how to report a concern, please see https://policy.arizona.edu/employment-human-resources/nondiscrimination-and-anti-harassment-policy

Our classroom is a place where everyone is encouraged to express well-formed opinions and their reasons for those opinions. We also want to create a tolerant and open environment where such opinions can be expressed without resorting to bullying or discrimination of others.

Usage of Generative AI

Homework and projects in this course are designed to help students apply class concepts, test their learning, and develop software development and science communication skills. Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and GitHub Co-Pilot, can be useful for brainstorming and debugging. However, students must write their own code, take full responsibility for their work, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the concepts.

While AI tools can assist learning, they may produce inaccurate or biased outputs. Students are responsible for verifying facts and critically assessing all submitted material. Any use of generative AI must be acknowledged or cited (see guidelines from UA library). Failure to disclose such use or to write original code will be considered a violation of academic integrity.

For questions, contact your instructor.

Additional Resources for Students

UA Academic policies and procedures are available at http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies

Campus Health

http://www.health.arizona.edu/
Campus Health provides quality medical and mental health care services through virtual and in-person care.
Phone: 520-621-9202

Counseling and Psych Services (CAPS)

https://health.arizona.edu/counseling-psych-services
CAPS provides mental health care, including short-term counseling services.
Phone: 520-621-3334

The Dean of Students Office’s Student Assistance Program

https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/support/student-assistance
Student Assistance helps students manage crises, life traumas, and other barriers that impede success. The staff addresses the needs of students who experience issues related to social adjustment, academic challenges, psychological health, physical health, victimization, and relationship issues, through a variety of interventions, referrals, and follow up services.
Email: DOS-deanofstudents@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-7057

Survivor Advocacy Program

https://survivoradvocacy.arizona.edu/
The Survivor Advocacy Program provides confidential support and advocacy services to student survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The Program can also advise students about relevant non-UA resources available within the local community for support.
Email: survivoradvocacy@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-5767

Safety on Campus and in the Classroom

For a list of emergency procedures for all types of incidents, please visit the website of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT): https://cirt.arizona.edu/case-emergency/overview

Also watch the video available at https://arizona.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/NA7P1PRD161/common/learningeventdetail/crtfy000000000003560

Confidentiality of Student Records

http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/ferpa

Subject to Change Statement

Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policy, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

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