PHS 4535 DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY (non-lab)
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in the freshman or sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
PHS4535 - Descriptive Astronomy (non-lab) (3 hrs.)
[KRSN PHY 1021]
This course will enable students to study the characteristics of the solar system, stars, and galaxies. Also discussed will be the tools and methods used by astronomers. Other topics will include the history of astronomical thought, galaxy formation, the evolution of stars, the origin of the universe and the possibility of life on other planets.
Prerequisite:
Basic computer skills, campus or personal Internet access.
Course Classification:
3 cr. Lecture
Controlling Purpose:
The science of astronomy is characterized by man’s ever-expanding concepts of the universe. The student’s study of astronomy will expand their awareness of the cosmos. The goal of this class is to give the student a feeling for the size and makeup of our universe, and a better understanding of our place in that universe.
Core Outcomes:
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course meet, or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be familiar with the latest terminology and methods of modern astronomy including the history of astronomy, lights and telescopes, using the sky to observe the universe, astronomy and the universe, eclipse and motion of the moon, our solar system, the sun and stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, and science and the media.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.
UNIT 1: Astronomy and the Universe
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will gain an overview of Astronomy.
- Describe from the context of astronomy the scale of time and space.
- Understand the value of astronomy to society and science.
- Evaluate scale from scientific notation expressions.
- Evaluate angular size and distance with the angle formula.
UNIT 2: Observing the Universe Through the Sky Around Us
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will understand the movement of objects on the celestial sphere.
- Communicate important ideas from early Egyptian, Greek and Ptolemaic astronomy.
- Describe ancient astronomical concepts.
- Use celestial coordinates to find positions of objects in the sky.
- Relate stellar objects to constellations and names of constellations.
- Locate and follow the motions of stars on the celestial sphere.
- Explain how seasons are determined.
- Develop a relationship between time keeping and astronomical motions.
UNIT 3: Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will understand the motion and behavior of the moon.
- Describe lunar phases and motion.
- Describe and predict lunar eclipses.
- Describe total, partial and annular solar eclipses.
- Gain perspective for the measurement of planetary distances.
UNIT 4: History of Astronomy
Outcomes: Upon completion of the unit, the student will understand the history of astronomical thought and be able to use Newtonian Physics concepts to understand planetary motion and gravitation.
- Evaluate early geocentric cosmogony in terms of planetary motion.
- Relate Copernican Heliocentric cosmogony to planetary motion.
- Describe conjunctions, oppositions and elongation of planets.
- Summarize the contributions made to astronomy by Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo and Newton.
- Describe Kepler’s Three Laws of Planetary Motion.
- Describe the effects of Galileo’s telescopic observations on the existing view of the universe.
- Describe Newton’s laws of motion and his law of universal gravitation.
- Explain the causes of tides on Earth.
UNIT 5: Light and Telescopes
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will gain an understanding of the nature of light, matter, and the different types of telescopes.
- Identify and rank domains of the electromagnetic spectrum with respect to wavelength, frequency and photon energy.
- Identify and describe the particle and wave-like nature of light.
- Explain the doppler effect as it pertains to light.
- Describe the processes by with an atom absorbs and emits light.
- Describe the Stefan-Boltzman characterization of blackbody radiation and color temperature.
- Describe the different types of spectra and how they are used to evaluate the chemical makeup of stars.
- Differentiate between the two major types of optical telescopes.
- Identify the focal length, magnification, and resolving power of telescopes.
- Explain how CCD cameras, adaptive optics, radio astronomy and space telescopes are used to study the universe.
UNIT 6: Our Solar System
Outcomes: Upon completion of the unit, the student will gain knowledge of the solar system and the bodies within it.
- Name and describe the various types of celestial bodies in our solar system.
- Distinguish between terrestrial and Jovian planets.
- Compare the orbital and physical properties of planets, major moons and small bodies.
- Explain the currently accepted theory of the origin of the moon.
- Differentiate between the formation processes of craters and of maria on the moon.
- List the distinguishing features of each of the planets and major moons.
- Describe the various types of asteroids in the solar system.
- Describe the physical and chemical characteristics of comets.
- Explain the currently accepted theory of planetary system formation.
- Describe methods for finding exoplanets and techniques for measuring their properties.
- Identify the major spacecraft involved in the exploration of each planet.
UNIT 7: The Sun and Stars
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will gain an understanding of the chemical and physical characteristics of the sun and stars.
- Compare the size and mas of the sun with the rest of the solar system.
- Define the physical characteristics of the sun including the solar atmosphere and internal structure.
- Describe sunspots and the cyclic nature of the occurrences.
- Understand and describe the thermonuclear processes that generate solar energy.
- Describe space weather and its various effects on Earth.
- Distinguish the two methods of finding distances to stars.
- Describe and distinguish between absolute magnitude and apparent magnitude.
- List the spectral classes of stars and the dominant color of each class.
- Compute the luminosity of a star.
- Construct an H-R Diagram and describe its use.
- Compute the stellar masses of stars in binary systems.
- Indicate the relation between a star’s lifetime and its location on the main sequence.
- Analyze the role of interstellar materials in the formation of stars.
- Describe the formation and evolution of stars.
- Describe the evolutionary outcomes of high-mass stars and low-mass stars.
- Describe the composition of a white dwarf, a neutron star, and a black hole.
- List the factors that cause nova events and supernova explosions.
UNIT 8: Stellar Evolution
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to rationalize the behavior of stars after the main sequence.
- Describe the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- Discuss the formation of red giant and blue giant stars.
- Discuss the difference in stellar spectra between Population I and Population II stars.
- Discuss the formation of white dwarf stars.
- Describe the nature and formation of neutron stars and pulsars.
- Discuss the production and nature of black holes.
UNIT 9: Galaxies
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will gain an understanding of the structure, distribution and classification of galaxies.
- Discuss the process of discovering the size and shape of our galaxy and the location of the sun within it.
- Name the various regions of our galaxy.
- Estimate the amount of matter in our galaxy.
- Compare open clusters and globular clusters of stars.
- Describe the content and shape of the three types of galaxies: spirals, ellipticals, and irregulars.
- Describe Hubble’s discovery of the expanding universe and the implications in cosmology.
- Discuss the use of standard candles in distance determination.
- Discuss dark matter and dark energy and their influence in the universe.
- Explain what a quasar is.
- Discuss the factors to be considered in determining the age of the universe.
- Describe the Inflationary Big Bang Theory and compare it to alternative scientific theories for the origin of the universe.
UNIT 10: Science and the Media
Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the student will gain an understanding about how the media influences scientific knowledge.
- Summarize current finding and discoveries in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and space flight.
- Discriminate between scientific reporting and pseudoscience-based opinion writing.
- Discuss the importance of having basic scientific literacy in modern society.
Projects Required:
To be determined by instructor
Text Book:
Contact the Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equip:
Computer access to Internet
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum Class Size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Timeframe:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability, which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
Rev. 2/2022
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