Frederick Community College

Frederick Community College

PC107onl–Introductory Astronomy

Summer 2011

Class begins: June 6

Class ends: August 1

Last Day to Withdraw: July 13

Instructor Information:

Name: Scott Atkins	Office: N/A
E-mail: satkins@frederick.edu	Phone Number: 301-682-8809
Contact Hours: email and by appointment for in-person meeting	Campus Mail Box #: 910

Course Information:

Credits: 4
On-campus Meetings: 1	On-campus Exams: 3
Prerequisites: EN 50A and EN 52 or ESL 95 and ESL 99, and MA 82 or MA 91	Corequisites: none

Course Description:

Presents a survey of astronomy that includes a study of the physical nature of the universe, the solar system, stars, nebulae and galaxies. The laboratory includes sky observations for collection and analysis of data, photographic analysis and laboratory experiments.

Core Learning Outcomes:

1. Become acquainted with the various objects in the sky, their origins, and how they are studied.

2. Learn what causes astronomical phenomena (seasons, eclipses, etc.).

3. Gain an understanding of the role of the Scientific Method in the evolution of astronomy as the first science.

Instructional Methods:

1. TV broadcasts of “Astronomy: Observations & Theories”
2. Text and Study guide reading
3. Online Laboratory Investigations
4. On your own: Sky Observations
5. Computer simulations
6. Web assignments

How is this course organized:

1. Two to four tapes from the program will be shown each week, two to four chapters will be assigned from the text that covers the material shown in the broadcasts.
2. You will have weekly online labs to complete, a semester long Night Sky Observations project, and weekly discussion questions.
3. There will be three on-campus exams.

Text(s) and Course Materials:

1. Horizons: Exploring the Universe, by Michael Seeds, Brooks-Cole, 11th ed.

2. Course Student Guide for Universe: Observations and Theories, Brooks-Cole, 2nd ed.

3. Edmund Scientific Star and Planet Locator

Progress Report:

By the end of the 6th week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.

Evaluation Methods:

Tests / Labs / Projects	Point Value	Final Grade Scale
Three on-campus exams	100 each, total 300	900 = A
Three online quizzes	50 each, total 150	800 = B
Online Labs, 20 total	10 each, total 200	700 = C
Night Sky Observations	200	600 = D
Discussion Board Participation	150	Below 599 = F
Total Possible Points	1000
If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

Student Services

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

Participation Policy:

Due to the nature of an online course, participation is much different than a classroom course. As part of your participation, you are expected to:

· keep your personal information updated

· notify the instructor of any problems you encounter immediately so that a resolution can be worked out

· notify the instructor BEFORE you have any conflict with the course schedule so that an alternate schedule can be created

· confirm that important information/work was received by the instructor

· notify the instructor if work, such as labs, cannot be completed by the allotted time BEFORE it is due

· check that the posted grade matches the grade you received

Your participation grade is based upon your discussion board responses and your prompt notification of any issues.

Email Policy:

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

Academic Integrity:

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times. Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

Topical Outline (ONLINE COURSES)

Week

Subject

Text

Chapter

Tape

Lesson

Scale of the Cosmos

The Sky

Cycles of the Sky

Origin of Modern Astronomy

Astronomical Tools

Starlight and Atoms

The Sun – Our Star

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Galaxies with Active Nuclei

Cosmology in the 21^st Century

The Origin of the Solar System

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Terrestrial Planets

Jovian Planets and Pluto

Life on other Worlds