Syllabus: Elementary Astronomy CSUN Fall 2012

Course Information Course title: ELEM ASTRONOMY Astr 152OL

Course number: 15030 Course discipline: Astronomy Course date: 08/27/2012 -
12/10/2012 Location: Online

Prerequisite(s): A background in high school mathematics and physics. Students
using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences
may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course ASTR 154L.

Instructor: Debi Prasad Choudhary
Debiprasad.Choudhary@csun.edu 2111C Eucalyptus Hall
818-677-7113
This a online course. We are not required to meet, so there is no fixed office hours.
But, if you are in the campus and would like to meet me, please let me know in
advance.

About me: I got my Ph.D degree in 1990 working on the observational studies of
Comets. Currently, I work in Solar Astronomy.

Textbook and online material: Stars and Galaxies, by Seeds and Backman

Course description: The greatest triumph of 20th century is to understand the
nature of the stars and the atoms with same set of basic physical principles. The
intellectual and technological advancements have made it possible to gather
information from the early stage of the creation our universe. In this course, you will
learn about the properties of the Universe we live in. More importantly you will
learn how we come to know about these facts.

This course satisfies the following GE Student Learning Objectives (SLOs): SLO 1:
Demonstrate an understanding of basic knowledge, principles, and laws in the
natural sciences. SLO 4: Recognize the contribution and potential of science in
human society and everyday life. SLO 5: Demonstrate competence in applying the
methods of scientific inquiry. The course SLOs will be met via a combination
activities.
The online material and simulation software will cover the course topics including a
description of the basic principles of astronomy and their connection to physical
observations, illustrations which show relevance of the material to phenomena
encountered in nature, and guidance on problem solving techniques and their
implementation. Guided assignments, the bulletin board and live chats will clarify
difficult points, enhance learning, and provide a two-way feedback. Online quizzes,
and exams will permit the students demonstrate their comprehension of the
material and problem solving skills.

Policies and Examination
Grading: 1. Homework Assignments: There is a home work quiz that has the due
date following each week. The homework quizzes will have 20% of the grade.

You will see three homework postings every week. You have to complete ONLY ONE
of them. One of them has deadline that ends in the week end. When you complete
this homework you will get 100% of the grade points. There is a late home work,
that has deadline one week later. This one will give you 70% of the grade points.
There is a VERY late home work, that has deadline until the end of the course. This
one will give you 25% of the grade points.

2. Participation: In the Discussion section you will find discussion topics for each
week. Answer the questions by making a thread in those weeks discussion topics.
Read the answer of at least one other student and comment on his or her answer.
When you complete you get 10 points for each week. This counts for 20% of the
total grade. You can post the forum discussion material even after the due dates.
BUT, the forum postings after the due date will not be counted for the final grade
points.

3. Midterm Examinations: There will be two mid term tests that carry 20% of the
grades each. These tests will be taken on-line on the days given below. (So total
grades for two midterm tests are 40%).

You will see two Midterm tests for each one. You have to complete ONLY ONE of
them. One of them has deadline at the end of Midterm test. When you complete this
midterm test you will get 100% of the grade points. There is a late midterm test,
that has deadline one week later. This one will give you 50% of the grade points.

4. Final Examinations: May 15, 2012. The final examination that will be taken online
exam day will have 20% points.

Summary: 20% for Homework quiz + 20% for participation in discussion + 40% two
Midterm Tests + 20% Final Examination. Grade Range A > 90 % B > 80 % < 90 % C >
70 % < 80 % C- > 60 % < 70 % D > 50 % < 60 % F Below 50%

The Midterm Examinations are during February 27-March 4 (Midterm 1) and April
2-19 (Midterm 2). The Final Examination is on May 15.


Week 1
The Sky - Ch 1 and 2

Week 2
Moon and Eclipse - Ch 3

Week 3
Optics and Telescope - Ch 6

Week 4
Review of Basic Physics - Ch 5 & 7

Week 5
The Sun - Ch 8

Week 6
Midterm 1

Week 7
The Family of Stars - Ch 9

Week 8
Interstellar Medium - Ch 10

Week 9
Formation and Structure of Stars
Stellar Evolution - Ch 11 & 12

Week 10
Death of Stars
Neutron Stars and Blackhole - Ch 13 & 14

Week 11
Midterm 2

Week 12
The Milky Way Galaxy - Ch 15

Week 13
Universe of Galaxies - Ch 16

Week 14
Active Galaxies and Super-massive Black Holes Ch 17

Week 15
Modern Cosmology - Ch 18

Week 16
Current and hot topics