Frederick Community College

PC 107net Introductory Astronomy

Summer 2008

Instructor Information:

Name: Scott Atkins	Office: N/A
E-mail: astronomy107@verizon.net	Phone Number:301-682-8809
Office Hours: By appointment	Campus Mail Box Number: 200

Course Information:

Credits:4	Last Day to Drop: ????
Class Begins: June 5	Class Ends: July 28
Prerequisites: Departmental	Co-requisites: none
On-campus meetings: by appointment	On-Campus Exams: three on-campus exams

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:

By the completion of the course students will:

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 “Universe: The Infinite Frontier”

2. Text and Study guide readings

3. Online Laboratory Investigations

4. On your own: Night Sky Observations

5. Computer simulations

6. Web assignments

How this course is organized:

1. Two tapes from the program will be shown each week, one or two 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) for Course:

1. Horizons: Exploring the Universe, by Michael Seeds, Brooks-Cole, 10^th ed.

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

3. Edmund Scientific Star and Planet Locator

Evaluation Methods:

Tests / Labs / Projects	Point Value	Final Grade Scale
Three on-campus exams	100 points each, total 300	450 = A
Online Lab Investigations 20 total	5 points each, total 100 points	400 = B
Night Sky Observations	60 points	350 = C
Discussion Board Participation	40 points	300 = D
Total Possible Points	500 points	Below 299 = F

Progress Report:

By the end of the 6^th 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, etc) to assure your success in this course.

Note:

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade for proctored work/exams, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Week	Subject	Text Chapter	Tape lesson
1	Scale of the Cosmos The Sky Cycles of the Sky The Origin of Modern Astronomy	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
2	Astronomical Tools Starlight and Atoms	5 6	5 6,7
3	The Sun – Our Star The Family of Stars	7 8	8 9
4	The Formation and Structure of Stars The Deaths of Stars Neutron Stars and Black Holes	9 10 11	11 12 13
5	The Milky Way Galaxy Galaxies Galaxies with Active Nuclei	12 13 14	14 15 16
6	Cosmology in the 21^st Century The Origin of The Solar System Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets	15 16 19	17,18 19 25
7	Terrestrial Planets Jovian Planets	17 18	21,22 23,24
8	Life on other Worlds	20