Discipline: Astronomy Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Astronomy 1B


COURSE DESCRIPTION
1B Intro to Stars Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): AST 1A: Intro to Astronomy
A descriptive survey of sun, stars, nebulae, clusters and galaxies. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A descriptive survey of sun, stars, nebulae, clusters and galaxies.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. Distinguish properties of matter based on spectroscopic analysis and Kirchhoff’s laws

  2. Apply units of astronomical measure to interpret observational data.

  3. Apply the physical principles of conservation of energy and momentum.

  4. Describe the fundamental principles supporting the formation planets and stars.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Describe the measurable properties and theoretical principles which
      support our understanding of stars.

2.   Describe the observations and theoretical principles involving
      stellar formation, evolution and death.

3.   Describe the observations and theoretical principles supporting the
      explanation of the milkway galaxy and other galaxies.

4.   Describe the basic observations and astronomical measurements
      supporting the theoretical principles of cosmology.

 
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

1.         Explanation of how the temperature of a star is determined using the principles of blackbody theory and spectral analysis.

2.         Explanation of the spectral sequence, its origin and the organization of stellar spectral data supporting the spectral classification system.

3.         Introduction to the observed characteristics of the sun and explanation of the theoretical model of the sun and the supporting observations and physical principles. 

4.         Introduction to the measurement of absolute magnitude and distance and explanation of how these measurements lead to knowing the physical properties of the stars.

6.         Introduction to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and how it is used to make prediction about stellar evolution.

7.         Explanation of stellar luminousity classifications  and how the classification is determined.

8.         Introduction to the various types of binary star systems, observation and measurement of binary systems, the determination of stellar masses and the mass-luminousity relationship.

9.         Introduction to the various aspects of interstellar medium, methods of observation and detection of physical characteristics of the interstellar medium and the relationship between interstellar media and star formation.

10.        Introduction to the principles of stellar evolution and compact stellar remnants, and the observations and theories in support of these principles.

11.        Introduction to the observed properties of the Milkyway galaxy and observations in support of theoretical descriptions of the Milkyway galaxy.

12.        Introduction to the observed properties of galaxies, classification of galaxies, determination of the physical properties of galaxies and the time evolution of galaxies.

13.        Introduction to the basic principles of cosmology including supporting observations to big bang theory.

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  •          Present class lectures/discussions/demonstrations in orderto reinforce the relationships between astronomical observations and their theoretical explanation.
  •          Show videio/web images/slides in order to enhance the understanding of physical explanations of astronomical bodies and their interactions.
  •           Conduct in class exercises in order to reinforce the necessary of mathmematical computation in predicting the resultof the physical interactions involved with astronomical events.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  •       In class quizzes focusing on proper understanding of astronomical terms, physical interactions of celestial bodies, and problem solving
  •       Tests involving synthesis of multiple concepts to solve astronomically related problems and proper understanding of astronomical concepts, and relationships between observations and explanations
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Dynamic Astronomy. Robert T. Dixon. 4 ed. any: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 0.
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