COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN

Transcription

1 WACO, TEXAS COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN Stars and Galaxies PHYS Dr. Bernard Smith Summer 2013

2 I reserve the right to change any term on this syllabus at any time during the semester. Course Description: The course covers the fundamentals of astronomy with special emphasis on stellar and galactic astronomy. Topics include properties of stars, nebulae, stellar evolution, neutron stars and black holes, galaxies and quasars, and cosmology. Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None. Instructor Information: Instructor Name: Dr. Bernard Smith MCC Office Phone Number: (254) Office Location: SB 210 Office Hours: MTWTh: 2:30 PM 4:30 PM Other times by appointment. Required Text & Materials: Required Material: Astronomy Today, 7 th Edition Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan Pearson Addison-Wesley Bundle comes with: Mastering Astronomy Student Access Kit Starry Night College (Lab software) Starry Night College Activities & Observation and Research Projects for Astronomy Today (Lab book) A scientific calculator: This means something that can handle exponents, trig functions, and logarithms. Access to Blackboard: This course will have a significant component on Blackboard. If you haven t yet logged into the system, learn how to do so. Log in, and make sure you can access this course s materials. Computer Requirements for Starry Night Pro 6: (Macintosh in Parenthesis) Windows XP/Vista or later (Mac OS X or higher) 500 MHz or higher processor (G3 450 MHz or higher processor) 128 MB RAM 2 GB of hard disk space 64 MB OpenGL 1.4 capable graphics card Minimum recommended monitor resolution of 1024X768 MCC Bookstore Website Additional requirements: Students must have a reliable computer and internet connection. Students must be able to demonstrate basic computer literacy skills such as keyboarding, sending and receiving , and using a web browser. 2

3 Methods of Teaching and Learning: Students will learn through reading the textbook and notes, as well as through work on homework, labs, and, exams. Additional methods may be used as opportunities present themselves. Course Objectives and/or Competencies: COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Describe the scientific method and how it is used in the study of the universe. 2. Describe the motion of the Earth around the Sun, its orientation in space, and how this affects the apparent motion of celestial objects from night to night and from month to month. 3. Describe the motion of the Moon around the Earth and how this motion causes phases and eclipses. 4. Discuss parallax and solve simple problems using this principle. 5. Compare and contrast the ancient Earth-centered models of the universe and the modern view of a Sun-centered solar system. 6. State Kepler's three laws of planetary motion and solve simple problems using these laws. 7. State Newton's three laws of motion and his law of gravity, and solve simple problems using these laws. 8. Discuss the dual nature of radiation and how wave mechanics relates to the study of radiation. 9. Describe the electromagnetic spectrum. 10. Explain how the intensity and wavelength of radiation can be used to determine the temperature of an object and solve simple problems using both Wien s Law and Stefan s Law. 11. Describe the Doppler Effect and solve problems using this theory to probe the motion of distant objects. 12. Discuss how electrons within atoms produce emission and absorption features in the spectra of atoms. 13. List and discuss the kinds of information obtained by analyzing spectral features. 14. Discuss the basic modes of operation of telescopes for the various spectra and the advantages/disadvantages for each type. 15. Describe the physical characteristics of the nearest star, our sun, including the structure of the sun's outer layers, and the various types of solar activity. 16. Discuss how stars generate energy and how this relates to stellar structure. 17. Describe luminosity and distinguish between true and apparent brightness. 18. Discuss how stellar distances are determined and how the masses of stars can be measured. 19. Discuss how the sizes of stars are determined from the laws of physics. 20. Discuss how stars are categorized according to their surface temperature. 21. State the significance of emission nebulae, discuss the role of interstellar dust in dark clouds, and describe the nature and significance of interstellar molecules. 22. Discuss the sequence of events that lead to the formation of main sequence stars. 23. Discuss what happens when a main sequence star exhausts its fuel. 24. Discuss the evolutionary differences between high-mass and low-mass stars. 25. Describe the sequence of events leading to the explosive death of a massive star. 26. Describe the two distinct types of supernova and discuss how heavy elements are formed during supernova explosions. 3

4 27. Discuss how neutron stars and black holes fit into the overall theory of stellar evolution. 28. Describe how variable stars are used to determine distances within the Milky Way Galaxy. 29. Discuss how astronomers use radio astronomy to map the galaxy and discuss the overall structure of the Milky Way Galaxy. 30. Describe some of the strange phenomena observed at the center of our galaxy. 31. State the basic properties of normal galaxies. 32. Describe techniques that determine distances and masses of galaxies beyond our galaxy, including Hubble's Law. 33. Discuss the theories of how galaxies form and evolve, describe the basic differences between active and normal galaxies, and list the important features of Seyfert and radio galaxies. 34. State the basic properties of quasars. 35. Discuss how the approximate age of the universe is determined and the leading evolutionary models of the universe. 36. Discuss some of the methods used by astronomers to test their theories of the universe. 37. Discuss how matter emerged from the primeval fireball and how and when the simplest nuclei and atoms formed. 38. Describe some of the efforts currently underway to unify the known forces in the universe. 39. Discuss the prospects for intelligent life beyond the earth. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES - NATURAL SCIENCES A. To understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences. B. Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials -- books, articles, and documents. A core curriculum should offer students the opportunity to master both general methods of analyzing printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual disciplines. C. Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task. Course Outline or Schedule: This course will encompass the following material to be divided into three sections. SLOs are covered throughout the entire semester. Chapter 1 Charting the Heaven s: The Foundations of Astronomy Chapter 2 The Copernican Revolution: The Birth of Modern Science Chapter 3 Radiation: Information from the Cosmos Chapter 4 Spectroscopy: The Inner Workings of Atoms Chapter 5 Telescopes: The Tools of Astronomy Chapter 16 The Sun: Our Parent Star Chapter 17 The Stars: Giants Dwarfs, and the Main Sequence Chapter 18 The Interstellar Medium: Gas and Dust among the Stars Chapter 19 Star Formation: A Traumatic Birth Chapter 20 Stellar Evolution: The Life and Death of a Star Chapter 21 Stellar Explosions: Novae, Supernovae, and the Formation of the Elements Chapter 22 Neutron Stars and Black Holes: Strange States of Matter Chapter 23 The Milky Way Galaxy: A Spiral in Space 4

5 Chapter 24 Galaxies: Building Blocks of the Universe Chapter 25 Galaxies and Dark Matter: The Large Scale Structure of the Cosmos Chapter 26 Cosmology: The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe Chapter 27 The Early Universe: Toward the Beginning of Time Chapter 28 Life in the Universe: Are We Alone? Chapter Coverage Chapter Coverage Week 1 1, 2 Week 9 21, 22 Week 2 1, 2 Week 10 Exam 2 Week 3 3 Week Week 4 4, 5 Week 12 24, 25 Week 5 Exam 1 Week 13 26, 27 Week 6 16 Week 14 Exam 3 Week 7 17, 18 Week Week 8 19, 20 Final Exam (During the Summer semesters read week as day.) Course Grading Information: Homework 20% Quizzes 10% Lab 20% Exams (3) 30% Final Exam 20% Homework: Homework assignments are involved discussion questions and numeric problems designed to challenge you to gain a deeper understanding of the course material. Homework will be turned in and graded utilizing Mastering Astronomy. Quizzes: Quizzes are conceptual exercises meant to enhance and test your knowledge of the reading material. Quizzes will be turned in and graded utilizing Mastering Astronomy. Lab: The lab grades will consist of assignments completed from the lab book. These must be turned in by . The lab assignment instructions and due dates are given on Blackboard. Exams: There will be three major exams during the semester. Exam questions will come from the material covered in the textbook, especially material covered in the homework and quizzes. The exams will be done on Mastering Astronomy, but they will be proctored. They must be taken either at the MCC testing center or at another location approved by me, at least 48 hours in advance of the exam. Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive and has the same format as the other exams. The final exam will be done on Mastering Astronomy, but it will also be proctored. It must be taken either at the MCC testing center or at another location approved by me, at least 48 hours in advance of the exam. Instructional Testing information for Students: This is the information for the testing center at MCC. Instructional testing is offered Monday - Thursday from 8 am - 6 pm. On Friday, testing is available from 8 am - 3 pm. All appointments are scheduled on the hour. It is very important that you be on time for your testing appointment. If you need to take an instructional exam for an instructor in the Testing Center, please make sure you do the following: 1. Call the Testing Center at to set up your testing appointment. All appointments must be scheduled at least 48 business hours in advance of when you would like to test. 5

6 2. Make sure and bring you photo id with you come to test. 3. Bring only the items that you need to complete your test on the testing day. Cell phones are not permitted in the testing room. Late Work, Attendance, and Make Up Work Policies: Homework: Students lose 2% credit per hour for problems completed after the due date and time on Mastering Astronomy. Quizzes: No credit is given after the due date and time for quizzes on Mastering Astronomy. Lab: Lab reports will not be accepted late. The due dates for the labs are listed on Blackboard. Exams: Unless there is a college approved, documented excuse no major exam may be made up. Any unexcused exam will result in a grade of zero for that exam. Final Exam: The final exam is required for all students. Unless there is a college approved, documented excuse the final exam may not be made up. Failure to complete the final exam on time will result in a grade of zero for that exam. Participation is mandatory. The MCC attendance policy states: In the case of online and hybrid courses, attendance will be determined in terms of participation, as described in the course syllabus. To that end, there are 37 assignments in this course including quizzes, homework, labs, and exams. Per MCC policy, you will be automatically dropped after missing 25% of these assignments, or 10 assignments. If you are dropped before the official drop date, you will receive a grade of W. If you are dropped after the official drop date, you will receive a grade of F, unless there are highly unusual circumstances. Student Behavioral Expectations or Conduct Policy: Students are expected to maintain classroom decorum that includes respect for other students and the instructor, prompt and regular participation, and an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the education opportunity. MCC Academic Integrity Statement: The Center for Academic Integrity, of which McLennan Community College is a member, defines academic integrity as a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action. Individual faculty members determine their class policies and behavioral expectations for students. Students who commit violations of academic integrity should expect serious consequences. For further information about student responsibilities and rights, please consult the McLennan website and your Highlander Student Guide. MCC Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students, and each instructor will maintain a complete record of attendance for the entire length of each course, including online and hybrid courses. Students will be counted absent from class meetings missed, beginning with the first official day of classes. Students, whether present or absent, are responsible for all material presented or assigned for a course and will be held accountable for such materials in the determination of course grades. Please refer to the Highlander Guide for the complete policy. 6

7 ADA Statement: In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the regulations published by the United States Department of Justice 28 C.F.R (a), MCC s designated ADA coordinator, Mr. Gene Gooch - Vice President, Finance and Administration shall be responsible for coordinating the College s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under ADA. Students with disabilities requiring physical, classroom, or testing accommodations should contact Ms. Renee Jacinto, Disabilities Specialist, Student Services Center, Student Development Department, Room 227 or at or rrjacinto@mclennan.edu TITLE IX No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C. F. R. Part 106 (Title IX) In accordance with the requirements of the Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 MCC s designated Title IX Coordinator, Al Pollard Vice President, Program Development/EEO Officer and Deputy Coordinator, Phyllis Blackwood Director of Human Resources shall be responsible for coordinating the College s effort to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Contact information Al Pollard, Title IX Coordinator Vice President, Program Development McLennan Community College Administration Building, Room 408 Administration Building, Room College Drive 1400 College Drive Phyllis Blackwood, Title IX Deputy Coordinator Director, Human Resources McLennan Community College FAX FAX apollard@mclennan.edu pblackwood@mclennan.edu I reserve the right to change any term on this syllabus at any time during the semester. 7