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Data analysis and numerical computation are ubiquitous in astronomy; undergraduate curricula have been slower to train students in a systematic fashion in these skills. At Michigan State University, astronomy students are required to complete a senior thesis. We have been dissatisfied with the preparation of students for longer, open-ended research projects, such as that of a typical two-semester research project.  Another motivation for redesigning AST 208 is that this course is the first rigorous course in the astronomy major. The prerequisite course, AST 207, serves as more of a broad survey over the entire field, whereas AST 208 contains a laboratory (observing) component and explores in more depth planetary science. Traditionally the course followed its title \emph{Planets title---\emph{Planets  and Telescopes}, with Telescopes}---with  the lecture devoted to planetary science and the lab devoted to observing. We felt that a tighter integration of the lecture and lab would serve the students better. Because AST 208 is the gateway into the astronomy major, it provides an opportunity to develop some core skills that can be developed further in the junior/senior level courses AST 304, \emph{Stars}, and AST 308, \emph{Galaxies}.