KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – CERRO COSO COLLEGE

PHSC C121 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

  1. DISCIPLINE AND COURSE NUMBER:
    PHSC C121
  2. COURSE TITLE:
    Astronomy Lecture
  3. SHORT BANWEB TITLE:
  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 lecture course is a general survey of the physical Universe from the standpoint of modern astronomy. The course first introduces the methods and tools used in astronomy and then applies them to investigate the many scales of physical structure and phenomena in the Universe. Topics include Solar System scale objects, such as planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids; stellar scale objects, such as stars, star clusters, and nebulae; galactic scale objects, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters; and finally the entire Universe itself. 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:
    3

  14. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS / UNITS & HOURS:

    Method
    Min Units
    Min Hours
    Lecture
    3
    54
    Lab
    0
    0
    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 without Lab;
    CSU:
    CSU GE Area B: Physical and its Life Forms(mark all that apply) = B1 - Physical Science;
    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. Explain the crucial roles that the forces of gravity and electromagnetism play in astronomy.
    4. Organize the Universe's scales of physical structure in order of increasing size.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of recent astronomical discoveries and developments.
    6. Evaluate the validity of information on astronomy as presented in the popular media.
    7. Analyze and utilize the scientific method in problem solving.
    8. Effectively communicate scientific results graphically and in writing.

  23. REQUISITES

    Advisory:
    Reading - 1 Level Prior to Transfer
    and Writing - 2 Levels Prior to Transfer
    and Mathematics - 3 Levels Prior to Transfer

  24. DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE:

    Lecture:

    1.   Introduction
       a.    What is Astronomy?
       b.    Physical Scales of the Universe
       c.    Time Scales of the Universe
       d.    Tools of Modern Astronomy
       e.    Scientific Method and Scientific Theory

    2.   Motions of the Earth and Moon
       a.    Earth's Orbital Motion
       b.    Earth's Diurnal Motion
       c.    Astronomical Timekeeping
       d.    Seasons
       e.    The Motion of the Moon
       f.    Lunar Phases
       g.    Lunar Eclipses
       h.    Solar Eclipses
       i.    The Measurement of Distance

    3.   Scientific Method and the History of Astronomy
       a.    Ancient Astronomy
       b.    Geocentric Universe
       c.    Heliocentric Model of the Solar System
       d.    The Birth of Modern Astronomy
       e.    Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
       f.    The Dimensions of the Solar System
       g.    Newton's Laws of Universal Motion
       h.    Newton's Law of Gravity
       i.    Escape Speed

    4.    Radiation
       a.    Waves in General
       b.    Velocity, Wavelength, and Frequency Relationship
       c.    Electromagnetism
       d.    Electromagnetic Waves
       e.    Electromagnetic Spectrum
       f.    Temperature and Thermal Radiation
       g.    Color and Wien's Law
       h.    Brightness and Stefan's Law
       i.    Radial Velocity and the Doppler Effect

    5.    Spectroscopy
       a.    Atoms
       b.    Photon Energy
       c.    The Bohr Model of the Atom
       d.    Continuous Spectra
       e.    Emission Line Spectra
       f.    Absorption Line Spectra
       g.    Kirchhoff's Laws
       h.    Analyzing Spectra

    6.     Telescopes
       a.    Light Refraction
       b.    Refracting Telescopes
       c.    Light Reflection
       d.    Reflecting Telescopes
       e.    Telescope Design
       f.    Telescope Light Gathering Power
       g.    Telescope Angular Resolution
       h.    Telescope Magnification
       i.    Telescope Image Detectors

    7.    Effects of Earth's Atmosphere on Telescope Images
       a.    Atmospheric Turbulence
       b.    Atmospheric Opacity
       c.    Atmospheric Light Pollution
       d.    Space-Based Astronomy
       e.    Full Electromagnetic Spectrum Coverage

    8.    Introduction to the Solar System
       a.    Inventory of the Solar System
       b.    Structure of the Solar System
       c.    Terrestrial Planet Properties
       d.    Jovian Planet Properties
       e.    Interplanetary Debris Properties
       f.    Comparative Planetology
       g.    Space Exploration Missions
       h.    Formation of the Solar System

    9.     Earth
       a.    Interior of Earth
       b.    Internal Heat Sources
       c.    Cooling Processes
       d.    Seismology
       e.    Plate Tectonics
       f.    Surface Features of Earth
       g.    Atmosphere of Earth
       h.    Blue Skies and Red Sunsets
       i.    Greenhouse Effect
       j.    Magnetosphere of Earth
       k.    Auroras
       l.    The Tides

    10.     The Moon and Mercury
       a.    Physical Properties of the Moon and Mercury
       b.    Interiors of the Moon and Mercury
       c.    Surface Features of the Moon and Mercury
       d.    Impact Cratering
       e.    Orbits and Rotation Rates of the Moon and Mercury
       f.    Synchronous Orbit
       g.    The Origin of the Moon
       h.    Evolutionary History of the Moon and Mercury

    11.    Venus
       a.    Physical Properties of Venus
       b.    Interior of Venus
       c.    Surface Features of Venus
       d.    Atmosphere of Venus
       e.    Orbit and Rotation Rate of Venus
       f.    Evolutionary History of Venus
       g.    Observing Venus from Earth

    12.    Mars
       a.    Physical Properties of Mars
       b.    Interior of Mars
       c.    Surface Features of Mars
       d.    Atmosphere of Mars
       e.    Evidence for Water on Mars
       f.    Orbit and Rotation Rate of Mars
       g.    The Moons of Mars
       h.    Evolutionary History of Mars

    13.    Jupiter
       a.    Physical Properties of Jupiter
       b.    Interior Atmosphere of Jupiter
       c.    Upper Atmospheric Features of Jupiter
       d.    Orbit and Rotation Rate of Jupiter
       e.    Magnetosphere of Jupiter
       f.    The Moon System of Jupiter
       g.    The Galilean Moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto
       h.    Tidal Heating

    14.    Saturn
       a.    Physical Properties of Saturn
       b.    Interior Atmosphere of Saturn
       c.    Upper Atmospheric Features of Saturn
       d.    Orbit and Rotation Rate of Saturn
       e.    Magnetosphere of Saturn
       f.    The Rings of Saturn
       g.    Roche Limit
       h.    The Moon System of Saturn
       i.    The Moon Titan

    15.   Uranus and Neptune
       a.    Discovery of Uranus and Neptune
       b.    Physical Properties of Uranus and Neptune
       c.    Interior Atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune
       d.    Upper Atmospheric Features of Uranus and Neptune
       e.    Orbits and Rotation Rates of Uranus and Neptune
       f.    Magnetospheres of Uranus and Neptune
       g.    The Rings of Uranus and Neptune
       h.    The Moon Systems of Uranus and Neptune

    16.    Solar System Debris and Dwarf Planets
       a.    Asteroids
       b.    Asteroid Belt
       c.    Effects of Impact with Earth
       d.    Comets
       e.    Orbital Lifecycle of Comets
       f.    Kuiper Belt
       g.    Oort Cloud
       h.    Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites
       i.    Meteor Showers
       j.    Dwarf Planets
       k.    Physical Properties of Pluto

    17.    Extrasolar Planets
       a.    Detecting Extrasolar Planets
       b.    Doppler Shift Method
       c.    Transit Method
       d.    Direct Imaging Method
       e.    Properties of the Extrasolar Planets currently known
       f.    Classifying Extrasolar Planets
       g.    Habitable Zone

    18.    The Sun
       a.    Physical Properties of the Sun
       b.    Stellar Nuclear Fusion
       c.    Einstein's Mass-Energy Equation
       d.    Hydrogen Fusion
       e.    Hydrostatic Equilibrium
       f.    Interior of the Sun
       g.    Core
       h.    Radiation Zone
       i.    Convection Zone
       j.    Photosphere
       k.    Chromosphere
       l.    Corona
       m.    Solar Wind
       n.    Solar Magnetism
       o.    "Surface" Features of the Active Sun

    19.     Measuring the Stars
       a.    The Solar Neighborhood
       b.    Parallax
       c.    Parallax Distance
       d.    Luminosity and Apparent Brightness
       e.    Inverse-square Law for Brightness
       f.    Brightness Distance
       g.    Magnitude Scale for Brightness
       h.    Relationships between Stellar Mass, Temperature, Luminosity, Radius, and Life Span
       i.    Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
       j.    Stellar Types

    20.    Interstellar Medium
       a.    Interstellar Gas, Molecules, and Dust
       b.    Physical Properties of the Interstellar Medium
       c.    Interstellar Reddening
       d.    Interstellar Extinction
       e.    Effects of Reddening and Extinction on Observations
       f.    Nebulae
       g.    Emission Nebulae
       h.    Reflection Nebulae
       i.    H II Regions
       j.    Molecular Clouds
       k.    21-Centimeter Radiation

    21.    Star Formation
       a.    Conditions for Star Formation
       b.    Star Formation Stages
       c.    Cloud Fragmentation
       d.    Protostar
       e.    Protostellar Disk
       f.    Bipolar Flow
       g.    Protostellar Winds
       h.    Zero-Age Main Sequence
       i.    Initial Mass Function
       j.    Star Clusters
       k.    Associations
       l.    Open Clusters
       m.    Globular Clusters

    22.    Stellar Evolution of Low Mass Stars
       a.    Main Sequence Stage
       b.    Core Hydrogen Fusion
       c.    Red Giant Stage
       d.    Shell Hydrogen Fusion
       e.    Helium Flash
       f.    Core Helium Fusion
       g.    Horizontal Branch Stage
       h.    Asymptotic Branch Stage
       i.    Planetary Nebula Stage
       j.    White Dwarf
       k.    Electron Degeneracy Pressure
       l.    Observing Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters
       m.    Future Evolution of the Sun

    23.    Stellar Evolution of High Mass Stars and Stellar Explosions
       a.    Supergiants
       b.    Stellar Fusion of Elements up to Iron
       c.    Helium Capture
       d.    Why Stars cannot Fuse Elements Heavier than Iron
       e.    Core-Collapse Supernovae
       f.    Supernova Fusion of Elements heavier than Iron
       g.    Neutron Capture
       h.    Supernova Remnants
       i.    Neutron Stars
       j.    Neutron Degeneracy Pressure
       k.    Black Holes
       l.    Schwarzschild Radius
       m.    Cycle of Stellar Death and Rebirth
       n.    Enriching the Interstellar Medium

    24.    The Milky Way Galaxy
       a.    Variable Stars
       b.    Period-Luminosity Relationship
       c.    Variable Star Distances
       d.    Structural Components of the Milky Way Galaxy
       e.    Galactic Disk
       f.    Galactic Bulge
       g.    Galactic Halo
       h.    Galactic Center
       i.    Supermassive Black Hole
       j.    Orbital Motions of the Milky Way Galaxy's Components
       k.    Spiral Arms
       l.    Spiral Density Waves
       m.    Galactic Rotation Curve
       n.    Keplerian Rotation Curve
       o.    Flat Rotation Curve
       p.    Dark Matter
       q.    Galactic Dark Matter Halo
       r.    Formation and Evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy

    25.    Galaxies and Hubble's Expansion Law
       a.    Hubble Classification System for Galaxies
       b.    Elliptical Galaxies
       c.    Bulge Spiral Galaxies
       d.    Barred Spiral Galaxies
       e.    Irregular Galaxies
       f.    Lenticular Galaxies
       g.    Active Galaxies
       h.    Active Galactic Nucleus
       i.    Galaxy Clusters
       j.    The Local Group of Galaxies
       k.    Hubble's Expansion Law
       l.    Hubble's Constant
       m.    Cosmological Redshift
       n.    Cosmological Distances

    26.    Galaxy Formation and Large Scale Structure
       a.    Galaxy Interactions
       b.    Galaxy Mergers
       c.    Behavior of Stars, Gas, and Dark Matter during Galaxy Mergers
       d.    Hierarchical Galaxy Formation
       e.    Large Scale Structure
       f.    Redshift Surveys
       g.    Galaxy Superclusters
       h.    Voids
       i.    Walls and Filaments
       j.    The Observable Universe
       k.    Dark Matter's Role in the Formation of Galaxies and Large Scale Structure

    27.    Cosmology
       a.    Cosmology
       b.    Hubble's Expansion Law and the Expanding Universe
       c.    Big Bang Theory
       d.    Cosmic Microwave Background
       e.    The Fate of the Universe
       f.    The Geometry of Space
       g.    Critical Density
       h.    Closed Universe Model
       i.    Open Universe Model
       j.    Critical Universe Model
       k.    Accelerating Universe
       l.    Dark Energy

     

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

    1. Demonstration;
    2. Discussion;
    3. Instruction through examination or quizzing;
    4. Lecture;
    5. Outside reading;
    6. Peer analysis, critique & feedback;
    7. Problem Solving;
    8. Written work;

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

    A. Homework assignments from the relevant textbook chapters. Example: The student is expected to answer instructor assigned questions from the relevant textbook chapters. B. Readings from the assigned textbook. Example: The student is expected to read the textbook chapter covered in each week's lecture. C. Readings and written summaries of popular astronomy articles or news reports. Example: The student is expected to self-select and read an astronomically relevant article or news report and write a one-page summary.

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

    A. Exams evaluate the students' ability to apply concepts and material taught in class.
    Example: One question on the midterm exam requires students to apply their knowledge of planetary properties to predict which locations in the Solar System are the easiest to colonize by humans and explain why.

    B. Regular homework assignments reinforce concepts and material taught in class.
    Example: The student is expected to answer instructor assigned questions from the relevant textbook chapters.

    C. Readings and written summaries of popular astronomy articles evaluate the students' ability to apply concepts taught in class and combine them with new concepts they discover on their own.

  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
    Other
    Selected articles in current literature and publications.
  29. METHOD OF DELIVERY:
    Online with some required face-to-face meetings (“Hybrid”);iTV – Interactive video = Face to face course with significant required activities in a distance modality ;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
    10/06/2006
    Curriculum Committee Approval
    Board of Trustees
    State Approval
    UC Approval
    50 = Summer 2000
    UC Approval Status
    Approved
    CSU Approval
    50 = Summer 2000
    CSU Approval Status
    Approved
    IGETC Approval
    50 = Summer 2000
    IGETC Approval Status
    Approved
    CSU GE Approval
    50 = Summer 2000
    CSU GE Approval Status
    Approved