KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – CERRO COSO COLLEGE

PHSC C122 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

  1. DISCIPLINE AND COURSE NUMBER:
    PHSC C122
  2. COURSE TITLE:
    Astronomy Laboratory
  3. SHORT BANWEB TITLE:
    Astronomy Lab
  4. COURSE AUTHOR:
    Cameron, Scott
  5. COURSE SEATS:
    -
  6. COURSE TERMS:
  7. CROSS-LISTED COURSES:
  8. PROPOSAL TYPE:
    CC Course Revision
  9. START TERM:
    50 = Summer, 2012
  10. C-ID:
  11. CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
    This course is the laboratory portion of PHSC C121. This laboratory course covers optical principles, the use of telescopes and binoculars, the use of star charts and sky simulation software, and the observation of celestial objects and phenomena. Not open to students who have completed PHSC C125.

  12. GRADING METHOD

    Default:
    S = Standard Letter Grade
    Optional:
    A = Audit;P = Pass/No Pass
  13. TOTAL UNITS:
    1

  14. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS / UNITS & HOURS:

    Method
    Min Units
    Min Hours
    Lecture
    0
    0
    Lab
    1
    54
    Activity
    0
    0
    Open Entry/Open Exit
    0
    0
    Volunteer Work Experience
    0
    0
    Paid Work Experience
    0
    0
    Non Standard
    0
    0
    Non-Standard Hours Justification:

  15. REPEATABILITY

    Type:
    Non-Repeatable Credit
  16. MATERIALS FEE:
    No
  17. CREDIT BY EXAM:
    No
  18. CORE MISSION APPLICABILITY:
    UC Transfer;Associate Degree Applicable (AA/AS);CSU Transfer
  19. STAND-ALONE:
    No

  20. PROGRAM APPLICABILITY

    Required:
    Elective:
    General Education ()
    General Sciences (AA Degree Program)
    General Sciences AA (AA Degree Program)
    General Sciences AA (AA Degree Program)
    Liberal Arts: Mathematics & Science (AA Degree Program)
    Liberal Arts: Mathematics & Science AA (AA Degree Program)

  21. GENERAL EDUCATION APPLICABILITY

    Local:
    CC GE Area I: Natural Science = Physical Sciences;
    IGETC:
    IGETC Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences = 5A: Physical Science, Lab only;
    CSU:
    CSU GE Area B: Physical and its Life Forms(mark all that apply) = B3 - Laboratory Sciences;
    UC Transfer Course:
    CSU Transfer Course:

  22. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

    1. Analyze and reach valid conclusions from the examination of astronomical graphs, diagrams, and images.
    2. Explain how spectroscopy can determine the temperature, radial velocity, and composition of an astronomical object.
    3. Analyze and utilize the scientific method in problem solving.
    4. Effectively communicate scientific results graphically and in writing.
    5. Calculate and analyze the basic performance parameters of telescopes.
    6. Use star charts to determine the location of important celestial objects.
    7. Operate astronomical instruments and demonstrate an understanding of their various accessories.

  23. REQUISITES

    Prerequisite:

    PHSC C121
    or
    Corequisite:

    PHSC C121

  24. DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE:

    Lab:

    1.   Indoor Activities

       A.   Planning Observations:
              a.    Celestial Sphere
              b.    Star Wheels (Planispheres)
              c.    Star Charts
              d.    Sky Simulation Software

       B.   Analyzing Telescope Performance:
              a.    Light Gathering Power
              b.    Angular Resolution
              c.    Magnification
              d.    Calibration
              e.    Optimization

       C.   Analyzing Images and Data:
              a.    Professional Astronomical Images
              b.    Amateur Astronomical Images
              c.    Determining Radial Velocities through Data Analysis
              d.    Detecting Extrasolar Planets through Data Analysis
              e.    Constructing and Analyzing Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams
              f.    Classifying Galaxies

       D.   Investigating Physical Laws:
              a.    Principles of Spectroscopy
              b.    Principles of Optics
              c.    Kepler's Laws
              d.    Newton's Laws
              e.    Newton's Law of Gravity
              f.    Inverse-Square Law for Brightness

       E.   Mini-Projects:
              a.    Comparative Planetary Geology
              b.    Moons of the Solar System
              c.    Researching Space Exploration Missions
              d.    Researching Professional Telescopes
              e.    Constructing Astronomical Scale Models
     

    2.  Naked Eye Activities

       A.  Finding and Viewing Planets:
             a.    Mercury
             b.    Venus
             c.    Mars
             d.    Jupiter
             e.    Saturn

       B.  Finding and Viewing Constellations:
             a.    Circumpolar Constellations
             b.    Winter Constellations
             c.    Spring Constellations
             d.    Summer Constellations
             e.    Autumn Constellations
             f.    Zodiac Constellations

       C.  Finding and Viewing Miscellaneous Objects and Phenomena:
             a.    Finding and Viewing Meteor Showers
             b.    Finding and Viewing Manmade Satellites
             c.    Viewing Lunar Phases
             d.    Viewing Sunrise and Sunset
             e.    Viewing Civil, Nautical, and Astronomical Twilight
             f.    Measuring Light Pollution

       D.  Coordinate Systems:
              a.    Using the Altitude-Azimuth Coordinate System
              b.    Using the Right Ascension and Declination Coordinate System
              c.    Finding the Ecliptic Path
              d.    Finding the Celestial Equator
              e.    Finding the Celestial North Pole
              f.    Determining your Latitude


    3.  Telescope Activities

       A.  Finding and Viewing Planets:
             a.    Mercury
             b.    Venus and its Phases
             c.    Mars
             d.    Jupiter and its Moons
             e.    Saturn and its Rings
             f.    Uranus
             g.    Neptune

       B.  Finding and Viewing Faint Celestial Objects:
             a.    Emission Nebulae
             b.    Planetary Nebulae
             c.    Supernova Remnants
             d.    Spiral Galaxies
             e.    Elliptical Galaxies
             f.    Open Star Clusters
             g.    Globular Star Clusters
             h.    Binary Stars
             i.    Comets
             j.    Asteroids

       C.  Viewing the Sun
             a.    Prominences
             b.    Granulation
             c.    Sunspots
             d.    Chromosphere
             e.    Photosphere

       D.  Viewing the Moon
             a.    Phases
             b.    Terminator
             c.    Craters
             d.    Maria
             e.    Highlands

       E.  Coordinate Systems:
             a.    Using the Altitude-Azimuth Coordinate System
             b.    Using the Right Ascension and Declination Coordinate System


    4.  Sky Simulation Software Activities

       Includes Simulated "Naked Eye Activities"

       Includes Simulated "Telescope Activities"
     

  25. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION--Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

    1. Computational Work;
    2. Demonstration;
    3. Discussion;
    4. Group Work;
    5. Laboratory;
    6. Outside reading;
    7. Peer analysis, critique & feedback;
    8. Problem Solving;
    9. Project-based learning;
    10. Written work;

  26. OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Out of class assignments may include but are not limited to

    A. Readings from the assigned laboratory notes. Example: The student is expected to read the laboratory notes covered in each week's lab. B. Written laboratory summaries. Example: The student is required to write a lab report that summarizes the laboratory methods performed, data collected, and data analysis for each week's lab activity. C. Data analysis. Example: The student is required to analyze the data collected in a lab activity in order to reach conclusions regarding the lab's physical concepts.

  27. METHODS OF EVALUATION: Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

    A. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and material taught in class.
    Example: Given a list of celestial objects, the student must determine which objects are currently observable, when and where they will be observable in the sky, select a telescope setup optimized for their selected objects, observe the objects and collect the activity's relevant data, and then analyze the data.

    B. Laboratory reports measure the student's ability to perform techniques and assess the student's understanding of the relevant concepts.
    Example: The student presents the results from a laboratory activity, including purpose, procedure, materials, observations, and discussion of the results.

  28. TEXTS, READINGS, AND MATERIALS: Instructional materials may include but are not limited to

    Textbooks
    Chaisson, E. & McMillan, S.. (2011) Astronomy Today, 7th, Pearson
    Manuals
    Periodicals
    Software
    www.stellarium.org. Stellarium, Version 0.11.1 ed. -- From www.stellarium.org : "Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope."
    Other
    Laboratory Notes for various experiments.
    Selected articles in current literature and publications.
  29. METHOD OF DELIVERY:
    Online with some required face-to-face meetings (“Hybrid”);Online course with on ground testing;Face to face;
  30. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
    Astronomy (Masters Required);Physics/Astronomy (Masters Required);

  31. APPROVALS:

    Origination Date
    02/05/2012
    Last Outline Revision
    08/13/2007
    Curriculum Committee Approval
    Board of Trustees
    State Approval
    UC Approval
    30 = Spring 2007
    UC Approval Status
    Approved
    CSU Approval
    30 = Spring 2007
    CSU Approval Status
    Approved
    IGETC Approval
    30 = Spring 2007
    IGETC Approval Status
    Approved
    CSU GE Approval
    30 = Spring 2007
    CSU GE Approval Status
    Approved