Courses at Caltech, the University of Bern, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia.
Astrobiology Ge/Ay 159 — California Institute of Technology
Instructors: Prof. Yuk L. Yung · Furkan Ozturk (2026) · Dr. Stuart Bartlett · Dr. A. V. Oza (Co-Instructor) · 2025–2026
Special topics and fundamentals in planetary environments, biosignatures, atmospheric escape, radiative transfer, information, thermodynamics and photochemistry.
Topics: Europa, Enceladus and Titan · ocean worlds · exoplanet transmission spectroscopy · atmospheric escape · geological activity and hydrothermal vents
- Exomoons — lecture, 2026
- Titan — lecture with Dr. Rosaly Lopes, 2026
- Term projects — supervision and grading of student research papers, 2025–2026
Planet Formation and Evolution — Universität Bern, Switzerland
Instructors: Dr. A. V. Oza, Prof. Yann Alibert · 2019–2023
How grains and dust become planetary bodies, their dynamical and geological evolution, and how we detect these phenomena remotely and in situ.
Topics: disk physics · accretion models · atmospheric evolution · alkali metal absorption
Introductory Physics Labs — Universität Bern, Switzerland
Instructors: Dr. A. V. Oza · Prof. Daniel Kitzmann · colleagues
Introductory physics courses covering classical and modern physics fundamentals.
Topics: classical mechanics · electricity and magnetism · optics
Introduction to Planetary Astrophysics — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, India
Instructor: Dr. A. V. Oza (host: Prof. Sivarani Thirupathi) · 2019–
Fundamentals of planetary atmospheres, orbits and radiation, with an emphasis on linking physics to exoplanet data.
Topics: radiative transfer · spectroscopy · orbital dynamics
Introduction to Astronomy — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Instructor: A. V. Oza (with Prof. Daniel E. Reichart)
An introduction to astronomy in which students operate research-grade robotic telescopes in Chile (PROMPT) through the Skynet robotic telescope network.
Topics: observing labs · stellar evolution · cosmology basics
Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe — University of Virginia, USA
Instructor: A. V. Oza (with Prof. Kelsey Johnson) · recitation I created
Seminar-style exploration of open questions: dark energy, dark matter, black holes, interstellar travel and life beyond Earth.
Topics: student-led sessions · guest speakers · research proposals
Education and Public Outreach
Caltech Astronomy Club · public talks · community workshops
Astronomy on Tap (Bern, Lausanne, Pasadena), planetarium nights, school sessions and science–art events.
Topics: youth programs · public seminars · telescope operation
Apurva V. Oza