Course Guide

Instructor

Brent Studer
Email: bstuder@kirkwood.edu

Course Information

PHS-151, 3 s.h.
Centers around a variety of topics including the universe and the earth in space, properties of stars, nuclear energy sources, the solar system, quasars, black holes and life in the universe. Laboratories and observations are incorporated.

Prerequisites: None.
Co-requisites: None. Although there are no formal prerequisites established for registration in this introductory class, mathematics is an integral part of modern science. If you have completed and retain some understanding of high school-level Algebra 1, you can be successful. Students concerned with their math background are strongly advised to discuss this with the instructor

Section Information

0120507
6:00 – 8:50 p.m. Thursday, Iowa City Credit Center, Room 255.

Drop Date

The last date to drop a class this term is Thursday, November 15.

Course Material Needed

Comins, Neil, Discovering the Essential Universe, 4th ed
Bartusiak, Marcia, Archives of the Universe
Ferris, Timothy, Coming of Age in the Milky Way
Sky Publishing Company laboratory handouts
SC001 Equatorial Star Chart
SC002 Northern Polar Star Chart

Learning Outcomes, Objectives and/or Competencies

Astronomy is the oldest physical science and based on the supposition that the universe is comprehensible. We will study our place in the universe from both a historical and modern perspective. Our studies will include reading of original texts and narratives that place significant astronomical discoveries in a historical context. Recent discoveries and theories will be included as we explore and attempt to identify the underlying unity of the physical laws governing our universe.

We will learn the basic terminology of astronomy and astrophysics, how the scientific method works, and various facts about astronomical objects. The lab portion of the course will illustrate how we make observations and collect data, assess errors and learn to write in the style of scientific journals.

Exams, etc. | Policies | Points | Calendar