Syllabus for AST-101

INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introductory Astronomy explores the history and development of astronomy, including the major contributions and discoveries of the scientists who have shaped the field, the objects that can (and cannot) be seen in the nighttime sky, and the birth and fate of the universe. Students will examine how astronomers collect, interpret, and evaluate data as well as how they go on to develop laws and scientific theories to explain their observations. Human understanding of the universe is always evolving and growing; yet astronomy is one of the few areas where plenty of intriguing questions remain unanswered.

COURSE TOPICS

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, students should be able to:

CO1        Explain the scientific method and its relationship with the foundations of astronomy.       

CO2        Describe the nature, size, and scale of the universe and the physical laws of nature that govern it.

CO3        Identify the cycles of the sky, including the seasons, cycles of the moon, and the development of timekeeping and calendars.

CO4        Explain the origin, history, and development of astronomy, including the contributions of major scientists in the advent of modern astronomy.

CO5        Discuss the nature of light and the electromagnetic spectrum and how astronomers use telescopes to learn about the composition, size, distance, and movement of stars and galaxies.

CO6        Explain the major characteristics, structure, and reactions of the sun and other stars and how astronomers use that information to predict their evolution.

CO7        Identify the types, structure, and classification of galaxies and describe their birth and evolution.

CO8     Discuss the central ideas of cosmology, such as the Big Bang theory and the potential fate of

      the universe, and the evidence that supports them.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Note: The required textbook is a free, open-source textbook which you may access online and/or save as a PDF.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Introductory Astronomy is a three-credit, online course consisting of six modules and a midterm and final exam. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments and module quizzes, and take a proctored midterm and final examination. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in About SafeAssign.

Discussion Forums

You are required to complete six discussion forums. The discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. A grading rubric for the discussion forums can be found in the Evaluation Rubrics folder.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete six written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Lack of proper citations and references and/or poor grammar and spelling could result in a grade deduction of 5 to 15 points on each of the written assignments.

Module Quizzes

You are required to complete six module quizzes. Each quiz will consist of 10 to 15 multiple-choice questions. The module quizzes are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. You may take these quizzes multiple times for additional practice; the result of your most recent attempt will appear in your gradebook. 

Examinations

You are required to take two proctored online examinations: a midterm exam and a final exam. Both exams require that you use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course website) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.

Online exams are administered through the course website. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam weeks.

 

Midterm Examination

Note: For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

 

The midterm exam covers all material assigned in Modules 1–3 of the course. You will have two hours to complete fifty multiple-choice items.

Final Examination

Note: For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

 

The final exam covers all material assigned in Modules 4–6 of the course. You will have two hours to complete fifty multiple-choice items.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A

=

93–100

C+

=

78–79

A–

=

90–92

C

=

73–77

B+

=

88–89

C–

=

70–72

B

=

83–87

D

=

60–69

B–

=

80–82

F

=

Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see:

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