Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Syllabus
College of Natural Sciences SCI/151 Version 4 Astronomy
Copyright 2011, 2009, 2008, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the science of astronomy, utilizing current concepts of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe. In addition, historical developments in astronomy from ancient mythology to modern science will be covered. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Facilitator Availability I am available from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Central Time on most days, but I attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. On Saturdays, I tend to be online in the morning only. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my email: jdespinos@email.phoenix.edu (University of Phoenix) or by phone: 939-246-4377 (East Time) Course Materials Bennett, J., Donahue, M., Schneider, N., & Voit, M. (2010). The cosmic perspective (6th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Addison-Wesley. All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Introduction to the Science of Astronomy

Details
Objectives 1.1 Describe the universe from Earths perspective. 1.2 Describe the development of the science of astronomy. 1.3 Explain the physical laws that govern the universe. Read Ch. 1 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 2 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 3 of The Cosmic Perspective.

Due

Points

Reading Reading Reading

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Reading Reading Participation Discussion Question 1 Discussion Question 2 Learning Team Instructions Learning Team Charter Individual Basics of Astronomy Outline

Read Ch. 4 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 2 09/18/13 Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 4 09/20/13 Resource: Download the Charter template from Learning Team Toolkit Complete the Learning Team Charter. Your team will be set up by Day 2 of Week 1. Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Basics of Astronomy Outline on the student website. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 1 Rubrics. Day 7 09/23/13 2 1 2 1

Day 7 09/23/13

Week Two: The Solar System

Details
Objectives 2.1 Describe the celestial bodies in our solar system. 2.2 Explain how solar systems form. 2.3 Compare our solar system model to newly discovered exoplanetary systems. Read Ch. 7 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 8 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 9 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 12 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 13 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 2 2 1

Due

Points

Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading Participation Discussion Question 1

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

09/25/13 Discussion Question 2 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Shaping Planetary Surface Nongraded Activities and Preparation Formation of the Solar System Learning Team The Solar System Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 4 09/27/13 View the Shaping Planetary Surfaces self-guided tutorial located on the student website. 1

View the Formation of the Solar System self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

For this assignment, you will choose from the following options: Option 1: Solar System and One Planet Presentation Option 2: Exoplanet Presentation Read the instructions in the University of Phoenix Material: The Solar System located on the student website and select one option to complete the assignment. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 2 Rubrics.

Day 7 09/30/13

15

Week Three: Stars

Details
Objectives 3.1 Describe the importance of light to astronomers. 3.2 Explain how telescopes enhance our vision of the universe using all frequencies of light. 3.3 Explain the nature and properties of the Sun and stars. 3.4 Summarize the lifecycles of stars. Read Ch. 5 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 6 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 14 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 15 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 16 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 17 of The Cosmic Perspective.

Due

Points

Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Reading Reading Participation Discussion Question 1 Discussion Question 2 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Electromagnetic Spectrum Learning Team Activity Learning From Light Nongraded Activities and Preparation The Lives of Stars Nongraded Activities and Preparation The Sun Nongraded Activities and Preparation HertzsprungRussell Diagram Nongraded Activities and Preparation Black Holes Nongraded Activities and Preparation From Stars to Black Holes -

Read Ch. 18 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 2 10/02/13 Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 4 10/04/13 View the Electromagnetic Spectrum (Properties of Light) interactive located on the student website. 1 2 1

View the Light and Spectroscopy self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

Day 6 10/06/13

View the Lives of Stars video located on the student website.

View the Sun self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the Black Holes self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the From Stars to Black Holes - Altering the Curvature of Space-Time interactive figure located on the student website.

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Altering the Curvature of Space-Time Nongraded Activities and Preparation Gravitational Time Dilation Nongraded Activities and Preparation Formation of an X-ray Binary Nongraded Activities and Preparation Telescopes Nongraded Activities and Preparation The Mysterious Galactic Center Individual Stars and Telescopes View the Gravitational Time Dilation interactive figure located on the student website.

View the Formation of an X-ray Binary interactive figure located on the student website.

View the Telescopes self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the Mysterious Galactic Center interactive figure located on the student website.

For this assignment, you will choose from the following options: Option 1: Science of Stars Paper Option 2: Telescopes in Astronomy

Day 7 10/07/13

14

Read the instructions in the University of Phoenix Material: Stars and Telescopes located on the student website and select one option to complete the assignment. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 3 Rubrics

Week Four: The Large-Scale Universe

Details
Objectives 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Describe the structure of the Milky Way galaxy. Describe the foundation of modern cosmology. Explain the Big Bang model. Identify the importance of dark matter and dark energy.

Due

Points

Reading

Read Ch. 19 of The Cosmic Perspective.

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Reading Reading Reading Reading Participation Discussion Question 1 Discussion Question 2 Learning Team Activity The Milky Way Nongraded Activities and Preparation Hubbles Law Nongraded Activities and Preparation Dark Matter Nongraded Activities and Preparation The Expanding Universe Nongraded Activities and Preparation From the Big Bang to Galaxies Nongraded Activities and Preparation Fate of the Universe Nongraded

Read Ch. 20 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 22 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read Ch. 23 of The Cosmic Perspective. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 2 10/09/13 Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 4 10/11/13 View the Milky Way Galaxy video located on the student website. Day 6 10/13/13 View the Hubbles Law self-guided tutorial located on the student website. 1 1 2 1

View the Detecting Dark Matter in Spiral Galaxies self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the Expanding Universe interactive located on the student website.

View the From the Big Bang to Galaxies video located on the student website.

View the Fate of the Universe self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

View the Measuring Cosmic Distances self-guided tutorial located on

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Activities and Preparation Measuring Cosmic Distances Nongraded Activities and Preparation Detecting Dark Matter in Spiral Galaxies Individual From the LargeScale Universe to The Milky Way Paper

the student website.

View the Detecting Dark Matter in Spiral Galaxies self-guided tutorial located on the student website.

Complete the I Have a Theory tutorial located on the student website. Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper after completing the tutorial. Include the following: Cosmology is the study of the universe as a whole. Describe the foundation of modern cosmology. The Big Bang theory is a part of cosmology. Explain the Big Bang theory and provide an example of one experiment scientists performed that supported it. The Milky Way is just one galaxy that resulted from the Big Bang. Describe the structure of the Milky Way and how dark matter influences it. When was dark energy discovered? How has that discovery changed our view of the universe? What is a theory of everything? What does it aim to do to our understanding of the universe as a whole?

Day 7 10/14/13

14

Cite at least two references. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 4 Rubrics

Week Five: Life in the Universe

Details
Objectives Reading 5.1 Explain the emergence and evolution of life on Earth. 5.2 Assess the possibilities of extraterrestrial life in the universe. Read Ch. 24 of The Cosmic Perspective.

Due

Points

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

Reading Participation Discussion Question 1 Discussion Question 2 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Search for Extraterrestrial Life Individual The Existence of Black Holes Final Project

Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 2 10/16/13 Respond to weekly discussion questions. Day 4 10/18/13 View the Search for Extraterrestrial Life video located on your student website. 1 2 1

For this assignment, you will choose from the following options: Option 1: AudioAce Option 2: Microsoft PowerPoint

Day 7 10/21/13

15

Read the instructions in the University of Phoenix Material: The Existence of Black Holes Final Project located on the student website and select one option to complete the assignment. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 5 Rubrics Learning Team Astronomy Research and the Search of Extraterrestrial Life Paper Prepare a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper in which you discuss life on Earth and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life in our solar system. Include the following elements: Describe the properties of life on Earth. Explain the theories for the genesis of life. Explain the theory of natural selection. Briefly describe the evolution of life over the last 3 billion years. Assess the possibilities of extraterrestrial life in the universe. Discuss humanitys search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Day 7 10/21/13 10

Use at least three outside sources. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Rubrics: Please download the rubric located in the Main forum under Week 5 Rubrics

Copyright
University of Phoenix is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not

Course Design Guide SCI/151 Version 4

intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix editorial standards and practices.