PHY 1101 Astronomy 1

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The course provides a general introduction to the sky, the solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life for students with an interest in the science of astronomy. A broad range of topics is treated in a mostly qualitative manner, so that the diverse nature of the subject can be appreciated. The course also offers students an opportunity to learn the basics of astronomical observation.

SYNOPSIS:

This course provides an introduction to a broad range of topics in solar system astronomy, discussion of the search for extraterrestrial life, and an opportunity to learn the basics of astronomical observation. The course content includes the following: The scale of the Cosmos; The Sky; Cycles of the Sky; The Origin of Modern Astronomy; Astronomical Tools; The Origin of the Solar System; The Earthlike Planets; Worlds of the Outer Solar System; Meteorites, Asteroids and coments; and Life on Other Worlds.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of distances in astronomy, the night sky, regularities in the sky, the history of astronomy, and telescopes;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the solar system, and the search for life on other worlds;

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Sky and Telescope (Periodical), Sky Publishing, Belmont, MA, USA. http://www.skyandtelescope.com

Sky and Space (Periodical), Sky and Space Magazines, 80 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022. (Available from Newsagents)

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Lecturer to advise date of CMA 1

2.

Lecturer to advise date for CMA 2

3.

Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the CMA's satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each CMA. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit CMAs after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination, achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% in the total marks allocated for the assignments, and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination. With the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non- electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionaries) into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held in the semester of the next offering of the course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. An optional residential school at Mt Kent Observatory will be held as part of this course. Web and email access is a requirement of this course.