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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "NS 250"
COURSE NAME: "Astronomy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2013
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Bates Alan
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 18:00-20:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Recommended: MA 101
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course allows students to discover their place in the universe through the study of planets, stars, galaxies and the cosmos. Knowledge of the universe and the laws governing its behavior bring students on a journey of exploration and discovery from local neighboring planets in our solar system, beyond nearby stars and galaxies, out to the confines of the known observable universe.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Topics of study are divided into four sections

1. The night sky: constellations, stars and their motion

2. The solar system: planetary motion; Aristotle to Galileo; Kepler’s laws; Newton’s theory of gravity; structure of the solar system; properties of planets

3. Stellar physics: the atom; nuclear fusion; development of stars; electromagnetic spectrum; atomic spectra; black-body radiation; properties & types of stars; the HR diagram; measuring distances to stars

4. Cosmology: Olber’s paradox; Doppler shift; Hubble and the expanding universe; the Big Bang theory; dark matter; future of the universe; extra-terrestial intelligence and life in the univserse
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On completion of the course students should be able to

A) Identify planets, stars and constellations in the night sky

B) Describe astronomical events such as star formation and supernovae

C) Apply laws of physics to predict behavior of various bodies in the universe

D) Distinguish between local, galactic and cosmological events

E) Use mathematical operations to calculate astronomical quantities

F) Read and interpret information from graphs

G) Outline the historical development of Astronomy

H) Recognize and explain the role of the scientific method in the development of scientific theories
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Horizons, Exploring the Universe Michael A. SeedsCengage Learning 0495559733     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Take home assignmentsA total of 4 assignments assessing student learning on each of the four units of study40%
Class discussion forumForums are used as a medium to - share ideas - discuss various real-world applications - communicate scientific concepts10%
Midterm exam75 minute exam half-way through the course on Units I and II.20%
Final exam2 hour exam at end of course testing all units but mostly Units III and IV.30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
No more than two unexcused absences are allowed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
Week 1:

Course introduction; night & day; the seasons; the moon; eclipses; planets in the night sky; 

Brightness and apparent magnitude; the main constellations: their names, stars and motion

Kepler’s laws of planetary motion; orbital motion and the solar system

The solid inner planets of the solar system; sustainable life and its quest

The outer gaseous planets of the solar system

Climate, astronomy and historical data

 

Unit I Assignment

Week 2:

Structure of the atom; the atomic table; mass-energy equivalence; nuclear fusion; formation of stars 

Properties of stars; electromagnetic spectrum; atomic spectra; black body radiation; temperature-wavelength relationship  

HR diagram;

Development of stars; Chandrasekhar limit; Schonberg-Oppenheimer limit  

Unit II Assignment

Review for midterm exam; midterm exam

Week 3:

Measuring distances: parallax; spectroscopic and Cepheid methods  

Unit III Assignment

Week 4:

Cosmological principle; Newton’s model of universe; Olber’s paradox; the Doppler effect

The expanding universe; the Big Bang; future of universe; dark matter

The Drake equation, SETI

Unit IV Assignment

Course review

Final exam