School: Science
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Astronomy
Unit Code
SCI2123
Year
2021
Enrolment Period
1
Version
1
Credit Points
15
Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Unit Coordinator
A/Prof Steven HINCKLEY
Description
This unit provides students with an introduction to some of the major concepts in astronomy. The unit includes the origin and nature of stars and the solar system and the use of telescopes for observing and photographing features of the night sky.
Non Standard Timetable Requirements
Students will be expected to participate in external observing sessions, which may occur after hours; e.g. in the late evening/early morning.
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded QST0030
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate skills in investigation planning, data collection, data processing and communication in laboratory and field work associated with space science phenomena.
- Demonstrate skills in the use of a camera to photograph star constellations.
- Describe and explain the general structure of the Universe and the Solar System.
- Describe the characteristics of galaxies and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
- Describe the major theories of Solar System formation, and the characteristics of the system of planets.
- Describe the major theories of stellar evolution, and the characteristics of the phases of a star through its evolution.
- Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories of introductory astronomy.
- Explain the construction of the main types of telescopes, and use a telescope for astronomical viewing.
Unit Content
- Astronomical Instruments: Refracting telescopes. Reflecting telescopes of prime, Newtonian Cassegrain and Coude focus designs. Schmit telescope. Equatorial and altazimuth telescope mountings. Functions and features of radio telescopes.
- Constellations: Major constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Origins of constellation nomenclature. Features of major constellations.
- Cosmology: Recession of the galaxies. Models of universe by Big Bang, Steady State, and Oscillating Universe theories. Tests for models of universe. Problem of red shift.
- Galaxies: Hubble classification of galaxies. Detailed description of the Milky Way Galaxy. Galactic evolution.
- Meteorites and Comets: Description of the terms meteoroid, meteor and meteorite. Characteristics of stony, iron, and stony-iron meteorites. Classification and origin of meteorites. Structure of comets. Tests for cometary models.
- Planets: Detailed descriptions of Mercury and Mars as examples of terrestrial planets, and Jupiter and Saturn as examples of Jovian planets.
- Stellar Evolution: Luminosity and surface temperatures of stars. Apparent and absolute magnitudes. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Evolution of star from a nebula to a black hole.
- Sun: Structure of the sun, and the physical properties of the structural regions. Surface features of sun spots, flares and prominences. Rotational period of sun.
- The Solar System: Formation of Solar System, orbits of planets, planetary periods, composition of planets, atmospheres, and natural satellites.
- The Universe: The constituents of matter and energy. The components of galaxies, stars, solar systems, interstellar molecules, and cosmic rays. Distances of astronomical unit, parsec, and light year.
Learning Experience
Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS
| Joondalup | Mount Lawley | South West (Bunbury) |
Semester 2 | 5 x 3 hour lab | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Semester 2 | 13 x 1 hour lecture | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Semester 2 | 13 x 1 hour tutorial | Not Offered | Not Offered |
For more information see the Semester Timetable
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, field trips.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.
Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.
ON CAMPUSType | Description | Value |
---|
Portfolio ^ | Portfolio of Astrophotography activities. | 40% |
Assignment | A set of online assignments (up to 4 quizzes). | 20% |
Examination | End of semester examination | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCI2123|1|1
School: Science
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Astronomy
Unit Code
SCI2123
Year
2021
Enrolment Period
2
Version
1
Credit Points
15
Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Unit Coordinator
A/Prof Steven HINCKLEY
Description
This unit provides students with an introduction to some of the major concepts in astronomy. The unit includes the origin and nature of stars and the solar system and the use of telescopes for observing and photographing features of the night sky.
Non Standard Timetable Requirements
Students will be expected to participate in external observing sessions, which may occur after hours; e.g. in the late evening/early morning.
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded QST0030
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate skills in investigation planning, data collection, data processing and communication in laboratory and field work associated with space science phenomena.
- Demonstrate skills in the use of a camera to photograph star constellations.
- Describe and explain the general structure of the Universe and the Solar System.
- Describe the characteristics of galaxies and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
- Describe the major theories of Solar System formation, and the characteristics of the system of planets.
- Describe the major theories of stellar evolution, and the characteristics of the phases of a star through its evolution.
- Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories of introductory astronomy.
- Explain the construction of the main types of telescopes, and use a telescope for astronomical viewing.
Unit Content
- Astronomical Instruments: Refracting telescopes. Reflecting telescopes of prime, Newtonian Cassegrain and Coude focus designs. Schmit telescope. Equatorial and altazimuth telescope mountings. Functions and features of radio telescopes.
- Constellations: Major constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Origins of constellation nomenclature. Features of major constellations.
- Cosmology: Recession of the galaxies. Models of universe by Big Bang, Steady State, and Oscillating Universe theories. Tests for models of universe. Problem of red shift.
- Galaxies: Hubble classification of galaxies. Detailed description of the Milky Way Galaxy. Galactic evolution.
- Meteorites and Comets: Description of the terms meteoroid, meteor and meteorite. Characteristics of stony, iron, and stony-iron meteorites. Classification and origin of meteorites. Structure of comets. Tests for cometary models.
- Planets: Detailed descriptions of Mercury and Mars as examples of terrestrial planets, and Jupiter and Saturn as examples of Jovian planets.
- Stellar Evolution: Luminosity and surface temperatures of stars. Apparent and absolute magnitudes. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Evolution of star from a nebula to a black hole.
- Sun: Structure of the sun, and the physical properties of the structural regions. Surface features of sun spots, flares and prominences. Rotational period of sun.
- The Solar System: Formation of Solar System, orbits of planets, planetary periods, composition of planets, atmospheres, and natural satellites.
- The Universe: The constituents of matter and energy. The components of galaxies, stars, solar systems, interstellar molecules, and cosmic rays. Distances of astronomical unit, parsec, and light year.
Learning Experience
Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS
| Joondalup | Mount Lawley | South West (Bunbury) |
Semester 2 | 5 x 3 hour lab | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Semester 2 | 13 x 1 hour lecture | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Semester 2 | 13 x 1 hour tutorial | Not Offered | Not Offered |
For more information see the Semester Timetable
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, field trips.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.
Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.
ON CAMPUSType | Description | Value |
---|
Portfolio ^ | Portfolio of Astrophotography activities. | 40% |
Assignment | A set of online assignments (up to 4 quizzes). | 20% |
Examination | End of semester examination | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Core Reading(s)
Andrew Fraknoi, D. M., & Wolff., S. C. (27–2021AD). Astronomy. OpenStax. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCI2123|1|2