PHYS 375Stars

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Science
Subject: Physics

When it runs

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Stellar distances, masses, ages. Stellar interiors and atmospheres, star formation and evolution. Supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 2 of the following:
  - AMATH271 - Introduction to Theoretical Mechanics (0.50)
  - PHYS234 - Quantum Physics 1 (0.50)
  - PHYS242 - Electricity and Magnetism 1 (0.50)
  - PHYS256 - Geometrical and Physical Optics (0.50)
  - PHYS275 - Planets (0.50)
  - PHYS358 - Thermal Physics (0.50)
- Complete 1 of the following
  - Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    - CS114 - Principles of Computing for Science (0.50)
    - CS116 - Introduction to Computer Science 2 (0.50)
    - CS136 - Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction (0.50)
    - CS146 - Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction (Advanced Level) (0.50)
  - Must have completed the following:
    - PHYS236
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
  - PHYS112 - Physics 2 (0.50)
  - PHYS122 - Electricity and Magnetism (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

PHYS 474

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	6615	0 / 90	MW 16:00–17:20
LEC 701	2528	54 / 9999	Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

73% liked it38% easy63% useful

From 22 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

fake course

Apr 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW Flow Remove this
probably the easiest 100 I've ever gotten, the class is engaging, Broderick was fun and passionate about the class, there is no final, I had so many after class discussion about the class and extension subjects, and he's always happy to respond and provide guidance, honestly might be the best astro class in my entire undergrad

Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
Really disappointing course. Avoid if you can. Test questions are inconsistently worded and make it impossible to get them right, even if you know exactly what you're doing. Easy 80+, but be prepared to not learn anything in depth and have no clue where any of the math is coming from.

Apr 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW Flow Remove this
Very unfulfilling and disappointing course. Did not go in depth on any topic, just skimmed the surface. Taking this course was like taking a bite of a cookie just to realize it has raisins in it

Apr 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW Flow Remove this
35% hw (4), 30% mt (3) and a 35% final. exams are mc (cheat sheet allowed) except for 1 mt where we're deriving scaling relations. Took it with Prof. McNamara- rly recommend going to the lectures. workload & exams are reasonable, most enjoyable 3rd yr phys course imo

Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

21 posts and comments in 21 threads mention PHYS 375, November 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2024

Aug 17, 2024 Interesting Pure Science Courses 5 points, 2 comments

“I need to do CS breadth/depth requirement and want to know what people think are the most interesting pure science courses. I don't just want to take the easiest courses.”

u/wungus-enjoyer: “PHYS 375 - Stars”

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Jun 5, 2024 Easy physics courses for a minor in physics 1 point, 2 comments

“I am a SCIAVIA student looking to minor in physics. Currently in my 3rd year. Courses I have taken: Phys 121, 122, 225, 275, 234 Math 127, 128, 228, taking 227 next term. …”

u/evan2020_: “… I very much enjoyed phys375. Tests are fair and more on the easy side and the prof loves teaching the course. The other courses are tough but are tolerable when taught by good profs. Some highlights: 363 was a good class with Dr. Resch and 334 with Dr. …”

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Winter 2023

Apr 23, 2023 Anyone have the course notes or syllabus for PHYS375? 3 points, 2 comments

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Spring 2022

Jul 27, 2022 What do you guys use your laptops for? 25 points, 32 comments

“I'm heading into ECE. I was wondering what everyone use their laptops for when it comes to school-related stuff. …”

u/void_nemesis: “The only two times I had to run relatively heavy loads on my personal computer were for PHYS 375 (Stars) and PHYS 449 (ML for Physics), and both times a low-tier gaming laptop was enough. …”

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Jun 5, 2022 Question for Physics/ Physics and Astronomy 6 points, 6 comments

“Hello, new undergrad here. I accepted Physics and Astronomy and I was wondering what laptop people would recommend for that program? Thanks.”

u/void_nemesis: “… The only two times I've needed more than what a reasonably modern budget laptop could do was for PHYS 375 (Stars) and PHYS 449 (Machine Learning), but in both cases we had access to school resources. …”

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May 13, 2022 What kind of laptop will do just fine for a Physics Undergraduate at UWaterloo? 3 points, 21 comments

u/TheRealArjun: “Anything that turns on is good enough. No need to go out all out on a crazy laptop.”

u/void_nemesis: “The only exceptions to this is Stars (PHYS 375) and ML for Physics (PHYS 449). For those having something from the last 1-2 years will help (laptop CPUs have gotten insanely powerful).”

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Fall 2021

Nov 11, 2021 Course outline for Phys 375 (Stars) 5 points, 5 comments

u/Season1Episode3: “Does anyone happen to have a course outline for Phys 375? Preferably from back when the class was taught in person. Considering taking it next term, wanna get a good idea of what it is like and what’s covered. Thanks! Edit: taught by Avery Broderick”

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Fall 2020

Nov 30, 2020 This course is wack! ("Mean = 30, Median = 10") 98 points, 13 comments

u/dotuanhiep: “Which course is that?”

u/Paul_A_M_Dirac1: “Isn't Avery Broderick teaching it this term? I had him for Phys 275/375 and he was excellent.”

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Spring 2020

May 2, 2020 What are your top 5 courses at Waterloo? 29 points, 43 comments

“After 3 years of this place, these were my favourite courses that I found (no particular order): CS 341 CS 251 MATH 135 MATH 239 ENGL 332 (Comics) I liked CS 341, MATH 135, and MATH 239 because they …”

u/void_nemesis: “PHYS 234 (really easy course, did a good job of building intuition), PMATH 347 (my first "real" pmath course and very fun), MATH 138 (with Matt Scott, was absolutely amazing), PHYS 375 (staaaaars), and PHYS 242 (I still don't know how to do canonical curves).”

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