Prof. Battersby is dedicated to high-quality teaching that focuses on key concepts and encourages all students to view themselves as scientists. She has developed many custom interactive activities (including the “Create your own ‘what planet are you?’ personality quiz” activity, an asteroid mining project, and a class-wide journal club). In Prof. Battersby’s classes you will build your enthusiasm for how much (and how little) we understand about the Universe, as well as build skills that will help in your future careers. Here are some examples of student projects that are available online:
- Seven students have published Astrobites based on work they have done in PHYS2701 with Prof. B, read more “Writing Astrobites in Your Courses!”.
- There are two fabulous youtube playlists of student videos from “The Cosmic Origins of Life:” Spring 2025 videos and Spring 2024 videos.
- Students in advanced astrophysics course PHYS4720/6720: Galaxies & the Interstellar Medium write 8-10 formal term papers on topics of their choice.
Below is some information and the most recent syllabi for courses Prof. B. regularly teaches.
PHYS 1040QE: Cosmic Origins of Life
A general education course exploring the cosmic evolution of the Universe into its unique state where it contains complex life. We start with physics and the origin and evolution of the universe, then move into the formation of Earth, and the development of life on our planet. We explore the possibility of life elsewhere in our Solar System and the wider Universe. Taught Spring 2025, Spring 2024. Latest syllabus below and full course material available to registered students on HuskyCT or by special request to Prof. Battersby.
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Open in new tab PHYS 4720 / 6720: Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium
An advanced undergraduate / graduate course on Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium. Taught Fall 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2021.. Latest syllabus below and full course material available to registered students on HuskyCT or by special request to Prof. Battersby.
PHYS 1025Q: Introduction to Astronomy
A large interactive course for non-majors interested in learning more about the Universe and our place within it. Taught Spring 2022, Spring 2020, and Spring 2019. Latest syllabus below and full course material available to registered students on HuskyCT or by special request to Prof. Battersby
PHYS 2701: Foundations of Modern Astrophysics
A fully interactive course introducing astrophysics, designed for physics majors, and the first course in the Astrophysics minor sequence. Taught Fall 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017.
Latest syllabus below and full course material available to registered students on HuskyCT or by special request to Prof. Battersby.