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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "NS 250"
COURSE NAME: "Astronomy"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alan Bates
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Recommended: MA 101
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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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
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Horizons, Exploring the Universe | Michael A. Seeds | Cengage Learning | 0495559733 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Take home assignments | A total of 4 assignments assessing student learning on each of the four units of study | 40% |
| Class discussion forum | Forums are used as a medium to
- share ideas
- discuss various real-world applications
- communicate scientific concepts | 10% |
| Midterm exam | 75 minute exam half-way through the course on Units I and II. | 20% |
| Final exam | 2 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 cours
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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Weeks 1-4:
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
Life and Habitability
Unit I Assignment
Weeks 5-8:
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; Schoenberg-Oppenheimer limit
Unit II Assignment
Review for midterm exam; midterm exam
Weeks 9-11:
Measuring distances: parallax; spectroscopic and Cepheid methods
Unit III Assignment
Weeks 11-14:
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, The Fermi Paradox
Unit IV Assignment
Course review
Final exam
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