Johnson County Community College
Science Department
Astronomy - ASTR122 - Fall 2009
Course Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: J. Douglas Patterson, CLB 302, 469-8500 x4268, dpatter@jccc.edu

OFFICE HOURS: MW 5-6pm; T 11am-12pm; R 10am-12pm

CREDIT HOURS: 4

CONTACT HOURS: 3 hours Lecture and 2 hours Lab, plus 5 evening Observing Sessions

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of the Universe from the Earth, Moon, and planets to the stars and most distant galaxies. Topics also incluse quasars, black holes, the origin of the Universe, and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life.

ANGEL URL: http://online.jccc.edu/
Your Angel username and password are the same as your Pipeline username and password: your student id (usually the same as your JCCC email username). See your instructor immedately if you have questions regarding logging into Angel.

PREREQUISITES: None

REQUIRED TEXT: Online Text at http://astronomynotes.com/.

COURSE RATIONALE:
The study of astronomy integrates many ideas from other fields of study such as history, mathematics, geology, chemistry, and physics. In addition, students learn about the Earth as a planet, the Sun as a star, and the Milky Way Galaxy as one of a trillion known galaxies. All of this helps one to have a better understanting of their place in the Universe.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify specific celestial objects in the night sky.
2. Discuss the contributions to Astronomy made by Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton.
3. Describe the general characteristics of each planet in our solar system and the spacecraft missions to each.
4. Distinguish between planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteors in our solar system.
5. Describe the basic functions of a telescope and its auxiliary instrumentation.
6. Explain the process of star formation and a star's ability to produce light and energy.
7. Trace the evolutionary phases of various stars.
8. Recognize the size and content of the various regions of our galaxy.
9. Construct a general scenario of events in the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the Universe.
10. Indicate the basic factors necessary for life to develop on other planets.

CONTENT OUTLINE AND COMPETENCIES:

1. A. Observing the Universe Through the Sky Around Us
1. Use celestial coordinates for positions of objects in the sky.
2. Recognize constellations in the sky.
3. Compare the motions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars in our sky.
4. Explain how seasons on Earth are determined.
5. Recognize the various phases of the moon.
6. Explain the conditions necessary for a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse.
2. B. History of Astronomy
   1. Give examples of ancient astronomical observatories.
   2. Contrast the geocentric and the heliocentric views of the universe.
   3. Summarize the contributions made to astronomy by Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
   4. Describe Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion.
   5. Identify the main characteristics of the elliptical motion of planets.
   6. Describe the effects of Galileo's telescopic observations on the existing view of the Universe.
   7. Describe the Law of Gravity
3. C. The Solar System
1. Name the various types of celestial bodies in our solar system.
2. Distinguish between terrestrial and Jovian planets.
3. Identify the major spacecraft involved in the exploration of each planet.
4. Explain the causes of tides on Earth.
5. Compare the orbital properties and the physical properties of the Moon and Mercury.
6. Differentiate between the formation processes of craters and of seas on the Moon.
7. Explain the more acceptable theory of the origin of our moon.
8. List the distinguishing features of each of the planets.
9. Summarize the discoveries of the planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
10. Compare the satellite systems of each planet.
11. Describe the various types of asteroids in our solar system.
12. Explain what a comet is, and compare its orbital motion to that of the planets.
13. Differentiate between meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids.
4. D. Light and Telescopes
1. Identify and describe such characteristics of light such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude,and the speed of light.
2. Explain the Doppler effect on light.
3. Describe the processes by which an atom absorbs and emits light.
4. Indicate when and by whom the telescope was invented.
5. Differentiate between the two major types of optical telescopes.
6. Identify the focal length, objective, and magnification power of a telescope.
7. Explain How CCD Cameras, Adaptive Optics, Space Telescopes, and Radio Astronomy are used to study the Universe today.
5. E. The Sun and the Stars
1. Compare the size and mass of the Sun with the rest of the solar system.
2. Identify the different regions in the Sun.
3. Explain the sunspot cycle on the surface of the Sun.
4. Describe the phenomenon of solar energy production.
5. Distinguish the two methods of finding distances to stars.
6. Explain the two methods of measuring starlight--absolute magnitude and apparent magnitude.
7. List the spectral classes of stars and the dominant color of each class.
8. Construct an HR Diagram and describe its use.
9. Explain the significance of the mass of a star in determining the star's evolution.
10. Explain how binary stars determine the mass of a star.
11. Indicate the relation between a star's lifetime and its location on the main sequence.
12. Compare open clusters and globular clusters of stars.
13. Analyze the role of interstellar material in the formation of stars.
14. Describe the pre-main sequence phases of stellar evolution.
15. Describe the main sequence phase of stellar evolution.
16. Describe the possible phases of stellar evolution after leaving the main sequence.
17. Distinguish between evolutionary outcomes of high mass stars and low mass stars.
18. Explain the factors determining whether a star will end up as a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
19. Describe the composition of a white dwarf, a neutron star, and a black hole.
20. List the factors that cause nova and supernova explosions.
6. F. Galaxies and Beyond
1. Discuss the process of discovering the size and shape of our galaxy.
2. Name the various regions of our galaxy and locate the Sun's position in it.
3. Estimate the amount of matter in our galaxy.
4. Describe the content and the shape of the four types of galaxies: spirals, barred spirals, ellipticals, and irregulars.
5. Explain Hubble's Law in connection with the galaxies in the Universe.
6. Discuss dark matter and its role in the Universe.
7. Explain what a quasar is.
8. List the assumptions contained in the cosmological principle.
9. Discuss the factors to be considered in determining the age of the Universe.
10. Explain the concepts of bound universe, unbound universe, and marginally bound universe.
11. Compare the Big Bang Theory to the Steady State Theory of the origin of the Universe.
12. Discuss the possibility of life in our solar system and the possibility of life on planets around other stars.
13. Indicate the possibilities of visiting or communicating with another civilization.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all lectures, lab experiments, and telescope observing sessions.

Lectures:
Students are responsible for material covered in each lecture, for assigned homework, exercises, and for reading text assignments. Any assignment of a portion or all of a text chapter includes the summary at the end of the chapter. It also includes those self-test questions which pertain to the text assignment (answer keys are at the end of the textbook).

Lab experiments
There will be weekly laboratory assignments that will provide the student with hands-on experience with the concepts and ideas discussed in lecture. No make-ups are possible for missed lab experiments. Laboratory reports are to be completed before the end of the laboratory period. These reports will be graded on-the-spot and returned immediately to the student. Students may miss one lab experiment during the course without penalty. If all lab experiments are attended, and completed correctly, an additional 10 points are received.

Observing Sessions
Five telescope observing sessions will be at night held on the roof of the CLB building on the dates and times indicated in a separate observing schedule handout. Attendance is required at four of the five sessions. No make-ups are possible for missed telescope observing sessions. If all five telescope observing sessions are attended, an additional 10 points are received. Deductions will result if less than 4 sessions are attended according to the following schedule:

GRADING STANDARDS Grades will be based on the following:

1. Quizzes and Homework
   There will be weekly homework assignments that will be handed out at the end of class on the last class day of the week. These assignments will be due at the beginning of class the following class period. No late homework will be accepted! In addition to the homework, quizzes will be given periodically throughout the course. These quizzes may come at any time during the week, so please keep up with the reading assignments and be regular and punctual in your attendance.

2. Lab Experiments
   Each lab experiment is worth 10 points. One lab experiment may be missed without penalty during the course. An additional 10 points is received if all lab experiments for the course are performed correctly.

3. Tests
   Four tests will be given on the dates indicated in the schedule worth 100 points each. Tests will cover material from lectures, lab experiments, and any other assigned materials.

4. Article Summaries
   Four written summaries of a current magazine or journal article will be assigned over some topic in astronomy and will be worth 10 points each, 40 pts. total. Each of the five article summaried are due the day of the Unit Exam for each of the four Units. Summaries must be at least one-page in length, typewritten using a standard 12pt font. If the original article is online, provide the exact URL. If the article is from a magazine or newspaper, include the issue number and title of the article.

   Summary Element	Point Value
   Formatting	2 pts
   Original Article Reference	2 pts
   Grammar and Spelling	1 pts
   Content Accuracy	4 pts
   Currency	1 pts

5. Final Exam
   The final exam is comprehensive and will be worth 160 points.

Grades for the course will be computed on the above items as follows:

Letter Grades are determined as follows:

90-100% = A
80-89% =  B
70-79% =  C
60-69% =  D
below 60% = F

GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS IN THE COURSE:

1. Students can expect the Astronomy Course to be just as demanding as a course in physics, chemistry, or geology. Many of the principles from these other science courses will also be encountered in astronomy.
2. As a guideline, students are expected to spend two hours of study time each week for each credit hour of class. Thus approximately eight hours of preparations should be spent each week. This includes reading text assignment, working homework problems, and reviewing material covered in class and lab exercises.
3. It is essential that students read the textbook assignments before coming to class, not only to facilitate note-taking, but also to better understand the material covered in class.
4. Although the math used in the course does not go beyond the high school level, it likely will be necessary for students to review math fundamentals in order to grasp scientific principles used in the course. Both the text and the math reviewed in the course should be helpful in this regard.
5. Although grades are not based on classroom attendance, students are strongly encouraged to attend every class. Because of the extent and diversity of the subject material, and the pace at which this material is covered, missing class is very detrimental to success in the course. Students are responsible for obtaining class material and instruction missed due to absence.
6. Students should keep all graded materials that have been returned by the instructor so that they can be used, if necessary, to reconcile the final course grade.

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Withdrawal Policy:
If a student withdraws from the course, appropriate forms must be submitted by the student to the Admissions Office. Otherwise, the student will be kept on the class roster and receive a grade for the course. Time restrictions and procedures for withdrawing from a course are found in the college catalog and credit class schedule for the appropriate semester.

Attendance Policy:
It is the policy of JCCC that punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is regarded as integral to all courses and is expected of all students. Students under obligation to participate in jury duty, required military duty, and generally recognized religious observance, and/or activities where they are required to represent the college must give written notice to the faculty member at least one week in advance of the observance. Questions on whether a religious holiday is recognized and/or an activity is college-sponsored should be directed tot he vice president of Student Services and/or the Student Affairs Committee. Students shall be accorded the opportunity to independently make up course work or work of equal value for the day(s) the event was scheduled and to take a scheduled exam at an alternate time determined by the instructor. Failure to provide timely written notice may result in loss of this opportunity. Students should be aware that the quality of the learning experience may suffer as a result of the absence if the course work is not made up.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be subject to the appropriate penalties. Please make every effort to avoid dishonesty or the appearance of dishonesty in all course activities. Penalties may include, but not limited to a zero grade for the activity, failure in the course, or dismissal from the college.

Counseling:
Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss any problems they are having with the course. While office hours have been set aside for student discussions, any mutually agreeable time for a student-instructor meeting is satisfactory. Students are also encouraged to make use of the Science Resource Center where free tutors are available in CLB 112. Tutor hours for the current semester are posted outside of the SRC.

Safety:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times. Unsafe activities are not allowed. Students should realize that their own safety, as well as that of others around them, is each individual's responsibility. Students performing laboratory experiments are responsible for planning and conduction operations in accordance with institutional chemical hygiene procedures, and for developing good personal chemical hygiene habits. Additional safety rules (when required) will be attached to laboratory handouts.

Disability Statement:
Students in this course who have a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact the instructor and Access Services as soon as possible to discuss accommodations necessary to complete the course requirements.