OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

CLASS SYLLABUS

I: Course Name: Descriptive Astronomy Course Number: PHY 115

Instructor: Dr. Mahmoud Khalili Credit: 3

 

II:

Prerequisites: NONE

 

III: Course (catalog) Description:

 

This is an introductory astronomy course. It deals with the historical development of astronomy, the solar system and planetary motion, the physics of motion, electromagnetic radiation and astronomical instruments, the stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, the big bang and cosmology.

 

IV: Learning Objectives:

 

By the end of the course, the students should be able:

  1. To have a knowledge of the basic mathematics used in astronomy including the metric system, exponents and angular measure.
  2. To understand how scientists evaluate hypothesis and develop theories.
  3. To understand how the scientific method and how it relates to observation and experimentation.
  4. To have an appreciation of the historical development of astronomy and its relationship to the advancement of civilization.
  5. To be able to describe the geology of the planets and the moon and to compare them with the earth.
  6. To explain the general theories of the origin and evolution of the solar system.
  7. To describe the basic methods involved in determining the distances, masses and sizes of stars.
  8. To have an understanding of the structure, organization and evolution of the galaxies.
  9. To explain the theories of the origin of the universe and the tests for these theories.
  10. To understand the meaning of Relativity, Cosmology, Big Bang, Expanding Universe and Evolution.

 

V: Academic Integrity:

 

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Oakton Community College has adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student Handbook. You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct in the College Catalog. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.

 

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.

 

Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

 

VI.: Outline of Topics: See attached page.

 

VII.: Methods of Instruction:

 

Much of the material in the course will be presented from a lecture/discussion format, however as the study of the earth, our planets, our sun, other suns and our galaxy can be a visual experience, some use of audio-visual material in various formats will be used to supplement the lectures. Often slides, transparencies, videotapes and films will be used to present theory, observations and presenting certain concepts. Do not fail to take notes from the visual presentations, as frequently the material will not be repeated in a lecture setting.

 

VIII: Required Text Book: Astronomy A Beginner Guide to the Universe, Second Edition; By Chaisson & Mc Millan

 

IX.: Method of Evaluation: Determination of Final Letter Grade:

 

1: Project 10 Point Point Grade

2: Quiz 20 Point 90-110 A

3: Midterm Exam 35 Point 80- 89 B

4: Final Exam 35 Point 70- 79 C

5: Attendance 10 Point 60- 69 D

(Bonus) Less 59 F

Total 110 Point

Important Note:

1: You Must pass both midterm and final exam in order to pass the course.

2: There No will be no make up or late exam or quiz.

3: There will be a home work assignment for each chapter. These assignment are for your benefit. There is no point for home work assignment. However there will be a quiz on each assignment. A copy of my answers to the home work assignment will be made available to you

4: I will discuss about the project in first class.

 

Course syllabus and calendar:

 

Week #1 Aug. 24 Prologue

Aug. 26 Chapter 1

Week #2 Aug. 31 Chapter 1

Sep. 2 Chapter 1

Week #3 Sep. 7 Holiday

Sep. 9 Chapter 2, ( Quiz 1: P, Ch 1 )

Week #4 Sep. 14 Chapter 2

Sep. 16 Chapter 2

Week #5 Sep. 21 Chapter 3

Sep. 23 Chapter 3

Week #6 Sep. 28 Chapter 4

Sep. 30 Chapter 4( Quiz 2: Ch 2, Ch 3 )

Week #7 Oct. 5 Chapter 5

Oct. 7 Chapter 5

Week #8 Oct. 12 Review

Oct. 14 Mid Term

(P, Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5)

Week #9 Oct. 19 Chapter 6

Oct. 21 Chapter 6

Week #10 Oct. 26 Chapter 7

Oct. 28 Chapter 7

Week #11 Nov. 2 Chapter 9

Nov. 4 Chapter 9

Week #12 Nov. 9 Chapter 10

Nov. 11 Holiday

Week #13 Nov. 16 Chapter 10

( Quiz 3: Ch 6, Ch 7,Ch 9 )

Nov. 18 Chapter 12

Week #14 Nov. 23 Chapter 12

Nov. 25 Chapter 13

Week #15 Nov. 30 Chapter 13

Dec. 2 Chapter 14

( Quiz 4: Ch 10, Ch 12 )

Week #16 Dec. 7 Chapter 18

Dec. 9 Review

Week #17 Dec. 14 FINAL EXAM

( Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 12, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 18 )