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Astronomy 1: Elementary Astronomy

Spring 2016 Course Syllabus
East Los Angeles College

Course: Astronomy 1, 3 units

Section Number: 3177
Day & Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30pm-4:55pm
Location: A2 101
Instructor: Jillian Tromp
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00pm-3:00pm, C2-102

Course Description: A survey of modern astronomy which covers the properties and evolution of solar systems,
stars, and galaxies. The class includes lectures, quizzes, a midterm exam, a cumulative final exam, and one extra
credit project. As a pedagogical tool, the instructor will assign small group exercises in class. Regular attendance is
required so that students can participate. Note that rigorous mathematical derivations of the physical laws governing
astronomy are not emphasized, however, the use of numbers and basic math skills cannot be avoided.
Textbook: Discovering the Essential Universe, 5th edition, by Neil Comins
Other Materials: Scientific calculator, Scantron forms (3)
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):
After finishing Astronomy 1: Elementary Astronomy, the student should be able to do the following:
(1) Recognize, analyze and apply the vocabulary, concepts and tools used in Astronomy to acquire data about
celestial bodies, such as the Astronomical and Light Year units, the Celestial Sphere, the Electromagnetic spectrum
and telescopes.
(2) Compare and contrast features of the geocentric and heliocentric models of planetary motion, understand the
scientific method, and how it was applied in the historical triumph of heliocentrism over geocentrism, and analyze
the discoveries, models and laws of Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo and Newton.
(3) Identify the cause of seasons, tides, phases of the Moon and eclipses and distinguish between solar and lunar
eclipses.
(4) Demonstrate knowledge of the properties and characteristics of the Solar System (Earth, planets, Asteroid Belt,
Kuiper Belt, and Oort Cloud) such as their shape, size, content, rotation and evolution.
(5) Demonstrate knowledge of the properties and characteristics of the Sun and stars, such as how they produce and
transmit their radiation, how they are born, and how they live and die as well as the properties of their remnants such
as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.
(6) Demonstrate knowledge of the properties and characteristics of binary stars, star clusters, the Milky Way and
other galaxies, such as how they are born, their properties and how they interact with each other.
(7) Demonstrate knowledge of the Big Bang theory, the expansion of the Universe (Hubbles Law), the age of the
Universe and its fate using the information about the makeup and shape of the Universe, the critical density and
deceleration parameter.
(8) Research about an astronomical topic using sources written for the general public and present findings in a
concise written language displaying an understanding, analysis, and comprehension of the topic matter.
Class Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. Absences will negatively impact your grade. Please be
considerate of your classmates and instructor by arriving before 3:30 PM. Please refrain from
using cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices during class. All exams are closed-book, but you may
bring a calculator and one page of double-sided notes; no cell phones are permitted. The exam style is multiple
choice questions. There is a zero tolerance policy for cheating; review college policy.

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Grading: The course grade is based on the following grade distribution:
20% Group Exercises/Homework
25% Quizzes
25% Midterm Exam
30% Cumulative Final Exam
Lecture Schedule: The following is a tentative lecture schedule. The instructor reserves the right to make
modifications as necessary.
Date

Chapter

Activity

February 9

Ch. 1 Discovering the Night Sky

N/A

February 11

Ch. 1 Discovering the Night Sky

Exercise 1

February 16

Ch. 2 Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Quiz 1

February 18

Ch. 2 Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Exercise 2

February 23

Ch. 3 Light and Telescopes

Quiz 2

February 25

Ch. 3 Light and Telescopes

Exercise 3

March 1

Ch. 4 Formation of the Solar System

Quiz 3

March 3

Ch. 4 Formation of the Solar System

Exercise 4

March 8

Ch. 5, 6, 7 Solar System Contents

Quiz 4

March 10

Ch. 5, 6, 7 Solar System Contents

Exercise 5

March 15

Review for Midterm

Quiz 5

March 17

Midterm Exam

N/A

March 22

Discuss exam results & start Ch. 8

N/A

March 24

Ch. 8 The Sun

Exercise 6

March 29

Ch. 9 Characterizing Stars

Quiz 6

March 31

Holiday no class

N/A

April 5

Break no class

N/A

April 7

Break no class

N/A

April 12

Ch. 9 Characterizing Stars

Exercise 7

April 14

Ch. 10 Lives of Stars

Quiz 7

April 19

Ch. 10 Lives of Stars

Exercise 8

April 21

Ch. 11 Deaths and Remnants of Stars

Quiz 8

April 26

Ch. 11 Deaths and Remnants of Stars

Exercise 9

April 28

Ch. 12 Galaxies

Quiz 9

May 3

Ch. 12 Galaxies

Exercise 10

May 5

Ch. 13 Cosmology

Quiz 10

May 10

Ch. 13 Cosmology

Exercise 11

May 12

Ch. 14 Astrobiology

Quiz 11

May 17

Ch. 14 Astrobiology

Exercise 12

May 19

Catch-up day

Quiz 12

May 24

Catch-up day

N/A

May 26

Review for Final

N/A

May 31

Cumulative Final Exam

N/A