Erie Community College

Course Outline

A: Unit Code and Suggested Course Title: 0645/AS180 Astronomy

B: Curriculum/Program: Liberal Arts/Science - Physics

C. Catalog Description: This is a one-semester course designed to acquaint the student with the solar system and selected topics from studies of the stars and nebulae. Topics include the beginnings of Astronomy, Ptolemy to Newton, Earth and Moon System, tools and methods of the astronomer, planets and satellites, comets and meteors, stars, and stellar systems. Prerequisite: None. Concurrent registration in AS181 is required.

F/S (C, N, S )

D. Duration of Instructional Period:1 hr and 15 minutes/class and 2 class meetings per week for fifteen weeks

E. Academic Credit Hours:3.0 credit hours

Lecture

3.0 contact hours

(Lecture hrs-Lab hrs-credit hrs): 3-0-3

F. Suggested Text/Course Materials:Understanding the Universe (2012), Palen, Kay, Smith & Blumenthal, W.N. Norton , NY

  1. Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. Describe the major topics treated by modern astronomers (e.g. planetary and universal evolution)

2. Explain the basic terms used by astronomers (e.g., nebulae, asteroids)

3. Locate required information (e.g., planetary data) in reference books.

4. Read graphs and interpret them.

H. Program Competencies:

1.To understand and utilize the methods scientists employ to explore natural phenomena including: observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis (1, 2, 3).

2.To collect scientific data, to utilize and integrate concepts and models employed in the natural sciences. (3, 4)

I. SUNY General Education Ten Knowledge Areas: Natural Science

1.To understand and utilize the methods scientists employ to explore natural phenomena including: observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis (1, 2, 3).

2.To collect scientific data, to utilize and integrate concepts and models employed in the natural sciences. (3, 4)

J. ECC Learning Outcomes (LO). This course satisfiesLevel 2 ECCLearning Outcomes:

#4 : Scientific Reasoning (1,2)

#5 : Quantitative Reasoning (3,4)

K . Student Learning:

K1. Evaluation of Student Learning: Courseoutcomes will be measured by

  • Four written non-comprehensive examinations based on multiple choice and essay questions to be given during lab class and at the completion of each unit, counting for 90% of the total grade.
  • Lab performance in concurrent lab course AS 181 counting for 10% of total grade.

K2. Assessment of Student Learning: Course will be assessedusing tests, projects and rubrics described on the program assessment plan as submitted to the College Assessment Committee.

L. Library Resources: Encyclopedias, related astronomy texts, VHS media (e.g., “The Mechanical Universe” from PBS, and other links posted on Blackboard).

  1. Topical Outline:

1. Introduction Week #1

  1. What is Astronomy?
  2. The Scientific Method

2. Ancient Astronomy Weeks #2-#3

  1. The Chinese
  2. The Egyptians
  3. The Greeks

3. Renaissance Astronomy Weeks #4-#6

  1. Copernicus
  2. Kepler
  3. Galileo
  4. Newton

4. Light and the Atom Weeks #7-#8

  1. Spectroscopy
  2. Telescopes

5. Locating Objects Weeks #9-#10

  1. Constellations
  2. Celestial Coordinates

6. The Earth-Sun-Moon System Week#11

  1. Eclipses
  2. Cosmogony

7. The Solar System Weeks #12-#15

  1. The Earth
  2. The Moon
  3. The planets

N: Proposal Prepared by:

Dr. Ethel Petrou 8 Sep. 2017