ASTRON 101 explores modern astronomical topics including alien existence, the universe's fate, space hazards, and AI impacts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
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The department at a glance
All recorded grades average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades
How grades break down
Grades over time
Red: department · Gray: UW–Madison
About these statistics
GPA and percentages are weighted by recorded letter grades. UW comparisons use the same terms. Cross-listed courses count once within this department and once across UW; department totals should not be added together. Grade counts are not unique students. Offering counts reflect captured records, not a complete historical schedule.
Fall 2026
Recorded this termcourses with offerings
instructors recorded
Grades have not been recorded for this term. Historical results remain in the overview above.
Find your next class
20 coursesHistorical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Grade sorting prioritizes courses with at least 100 letter grades.
ASTRON 103 explores the universe, covering stars, galaxies, black holes, and cosmology.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Matthew Bershady, Thomas Beatty: The course involves significant textbook reading and algebra, with some instructors providing difficult exams that diverge from homework difficulty.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026ASTRON 104 explores the modern understanding of the solar system, planetary formation, and exoplanets, covering celestial motions, gravity, and the history of astronomy.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews indicate low homework time, but note that exams heavily recycle questions from homework and practice materials.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026ASTRON 150
Topics in Astronomy
2 creditsIntensive study of selected modern astronomy topics including planetary missions, stellar evolution, and cosmology.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2025–Fall 2025 · limited sampleASTRON 199
Directed Study
1–3 creditsASTRON 199 is an introductory directed study allowing students to conduct mentored independent research arranged with faculty.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleASTRON 200
The Physical Universe
3 creditsCovers modern astrophysics, applying physical principles to the solar system, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and cosmology.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Elena D''Onghia: Reviewers report minimal homework given right before exams as mock practice and super easy midterms based on textbook content.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026A multidisciplinary study of the cosmic history of matter, tracing elemental distribution from the Big Bang to Earth.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Eric Wilcots: Readings are semi-necessary except for one midterm requiring written reflections, while the second midterm is described as easy.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025ASTRON 310
Stellar Astrophysics
3 creditsCovers stellar astrophysics, including radiation analysis, transfer theory, and the physics of stellar atmospheres, interiors, and evolution.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Robert Mathieu: Homework is described as extremely tedious and time-consuming, requiring significant weekly effort. The final exam carries a 40% weight, contributing to the course's high difficulty.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025ASTRON 335
Cosmology
3 creditsIntroduction to cosmology covering cosmic expansion, Big Bang tests, and structure growth.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Elena D''Onghia: The workload is manageable if students pay attention in lectures and complete the homework assignments.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleA basic introduction to observational astronomy and data analysis using optical and radio telescopes.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025 · limited sampleASTRON 500 introduces astrophysics data collection, teaching students to plan, obtain, reduce, and interpret astronomical observations.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sampleASTRON 620
Seminar in Astrophysical Topics
1–3 creditsA variable-topic seminar addressing current problems in astrophysics.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2025–Spring 2025 · limited sampleASTRON 681
Senior Honors Thesis
3 creditsASTRON 681 is an individual study course for seniors to complete honors theses in the Astronomy major under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
ASTRON 682
Senior Honors Thesis
3 creditsASTRON 682 is a continuation of ASTRON 681 for seniors completing honors theses in astronomy under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleASTRON 691
Senior Thesis
2–3 creditsASTRON 691 is an individual study course for seniors completing their theses, arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
ASTRON 692
Senior Thesis
2–3 creditsASTRON 692 is a senior thesis course involving individual study and thesis completion arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleASTRON 699
Directed Study
1–6 creditsASTRON 699 is a directed study course for junior and senior students to conduct independent projects arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleASTRON 700
Basic Astrophysics I
3 creditsBasic Astrophysics I covers thermodynamics, spectra, radiative transfer, and energy transport in astrophysical contexts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sampleASTRON 990
Research and Thesis
1–12 creditsASTRON 990 is a research and thesis course providing advanced mentored reading and research opportunities for graduate students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
ASTRON/PHYSICS 910
Seminar in Astrophysics
0–1 creditsA graduate seminar covering current topics in astrophysics.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Across course levels
Recorded this termNo released grades for this term.
Recorded offerings over time
Offering snapshots currently cover Fall 2026. Earlier grade records do not provide a complete offering history.