Course Description
This course will focus on an introduction to astronomy for non-science majors. Topics covered include the night sky, light and telescopes, the solar system, the lives of stars, and the origin and structure of the universe. To be successful in this course, students should have competency in solving algebraic formulas. (3 credits)
Recommended Prerequisite
- High school Algebra
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Distinguish between the different apparent and actual motions of objects visible in the night sky.
- Explain how light behaves and telescopes function.
- Compare and contrast the members of the solar system and classify them by their important properties.
- Describe the basic structure and workings of the sun, and apply that understanding to stars in general (including their properties and evolution).
- Distinguish between the various components and structures found in the Milky Way and compare and contrast our galaxy with others.
- Explain the overall structure, origin, and potential fate of the universe, utilizing both theoretical and observational evidence.
- Summarize current scientific understanding of the origin of life on earth and the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the universe.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
Discussions (10 points each; two each week) | 300 | 30% |
Homework (40 points each; one set of questions each week) | 600 | 60% |
Capstone Project (100 points including: participation in Capstone Discussion Board forums [total of 20 points] and the video presentation [80 points], due by the end of Week 12) | 100 | 10% |
Total | 1000 | 100% |
Required Textbooks
This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students. The textbook for this course is an ebook available through OpenStax at no cost to students: Fraknoi, Andrew et al. Astronomy
If students would like a print copy, there will be a fee through Amazon but a print copy is not required.
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Our Place in the Universe
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2 | 1 | Motion
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3 | 2 | Light and Telescopes
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4 | 3 | Introduction to Earth and the Solar System
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5 | 3 | Terrestrial Planets
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6 | 3 | Outer Planets
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7 | 3 | Origin of the Solar System
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8 | 4 | Sun
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9 | 4 | Properties of Stars
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10 | 4 | Between the Stars
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11 | 4 | Evolution of Stars
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12 | 4 | Deaths of Stars
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13 | 5 | Milky Way and Other Galaxies
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14 | 5,6 | Evolution of Galaxies
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15 | 6,7 | Origin of the Universe (and Life in it)
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.