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ASTY221 Introduction to Astronomy

Updated: 21 December 2009
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
10 April 2010 13 April 2010 Non-Mandatory Intensive school begins at 6.30 pm on the evening of the first date
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites any 24cp or candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science or School of Science and Technology
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Paul Coop (pcoop@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit describes our present understanding of the universe and how this knowledge has been obtained. Topics covered in the unit include an historical perspective of the changing view of the universe, the solar system, astronomical instruments, the expanding universe and the big bang, the evolution of stars and a description of exotic objects in the universe such as neutron stars, quasars, pulsars and black holes.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Discovering the Universe
ISBN: 9781429220101
Comins, N.F. and Kaufmann III, W.J., Freeman 8th ed. 2008
Text refers to: Semester 1 , Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 30% 2000
Assessment Notes
Laboratory work at intensive school or essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8
Online Quiz 20%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 4, 5
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 4, 5

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. identify basic concepts from the many areas of atronomy, including motions ni the sky, gravity, electromagnetic radiation, solar system, stars and galaxies;
  2. recognise and apply the scientific method to solve astronomical problems. Critically evaluate hypotheses and theories proposed using the scientific method
  3. employ basic astronomical instruments.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
A comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of the field of study. An understanding of how other disciplines relate to the field of study. The students will be able to conceptualise, acquire, apply, integrate, grow and contextualise knowledge. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
The ability to collect, analyse and organise information and ideas, and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken form is assessed and practised. The ability to select and use the appropriate level, style and means of communication is also assessed and practised. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
The ability to access, locate, critically analyse, interpret, evaluate and use information. The ability to use effectively a personal computer, associated peripherals and generic software to find, store, retrieve and manipulate data. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
The students will be able to practice independent learning in order to complete the assessment tasks, so developing lifelong learning skills. 		True True True
8 Team Work
The ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common outcome. The ability to evaluate opinions, make decisions and to reflect critically on the justifications for decisions. 		True True
   

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