I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Honors Astronomy/Physics

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHYS 1425

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 4

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course introduces concepts in astronomy and physics through demonstration, description, experimentation, and modeling. The topics in physics include motion, gravity as force, energy, properties of matter, heat, electromagnetism, light, relativity, quantum theory, and structure of matter. The astronomy topics include stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, galactic clusters, the structure of the local universe, the laws governing the universe, cosmology, the early universe, and the rationale and evidence for black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. The laboratory activities provide opportunities for developing basic measurement and analysis skills. The student will develop critical thinking skills, apply scientific methods, and learn communication skills through oral presentation and written reports. Students in this course will be required to attend the Nobel Conference as a part of the course activity. Courses in the Honors Program emphasize independent inquiry, informed discourse, and direct application within small, transformative, and seminar-style classes that embrace detailed examinations of the material and feature close working relationships with instructors. In addition, students learn to leverage course materials so that they can affect the world around them in positive ways.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):	Reading	Score:	100
Other (specify test):	ACT English	Score:	24

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites

OR permission from the instructor or Honors Coordinator, or high school GPA of 3.5 or greater.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

 

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

AA Honors Degree

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 3 – Natural Sciences

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Give presentations and solutions to problems orally.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write scientific reports and solutions to physics/astronomy problems competently.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Apply physical laws and principles in the solution to given problems.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate understanding of laws of physics and physical principles by drawing conclusions based on the laws and principles applied to the given problems and situations.  MnTC Goal 3
• Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories in astronomy and physics by presenting analyses of problems and situations based on the predictions of theories.  MnTC Goal 3
• Formulate and test hypotheses through laboratory experiments by collecting data, analyzing statistically and graphically, and identifying sources of error and uncertainty.  MnTC Goal 3
• Communicate the findings, analyses, and interpretations of lab experiments by written reports.  MnTC Goal 3
• Evaluate societal issues from an astronomy and physics perspective.  MnTC Goal 3
• Ask questions about the physical evidence presented.  MnTC Goal 3
• Make informed judgments about astronomy- and physics-related topics and policies.  MnTC Goal 3
• Apply contemporary techniques of observational astronomy for the purposes of gathering data, formulating hypotheses, and testing current hypotheses.  MnTC Goal 3
• Test current hypotheses regarding the origins of the universe through the investigation of contemporary deep sky images and data.  MnTC Goal 3
• Communicate the findings, analyses, and interpretations of topics presented in the Nobel Conference by oral presentations and written reports.
• Design an experimental apparatus that demonstrates a law of physics/astronomy or physics/astronomy principle.
• Relate laws of physics and astronomical principles to natural phenomena in everyday life.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Science
• Measurement of physical quantities
• Role of mathematics
• Scientific methods
• History
2. Mechanics
• Motion and Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Momentum, Energy
• Gravity, Rotational Motion, Projectile Motion, Satellite and Orbital Motion
3. Properties of Matter
• Atomic Theory
• Solids, Liquids, Gases, and Plasma
4. Heat
• Temperature, Heat, Expansion, Heat Transfer
• Phase Transitions
• Thermodynamics
5. Electricity and Magnetism
• Electrostatics
• Electric Current
• Magnetism
6. Light
• Electromagnetic Waves
• Reflection and Refraction
• Color Theory
• Light and Quantum Mechanics
7. Relativity
• Special Theory of Relativity
• General Theory of Relativity
8. Atomic and Nuclear Physics
• Atom and Quantum Mechanics
• Atomic Nucleus, Radioactivity, Nuclear Reactions
9. Particle Physics
• Subatomic Particles and High-Energy Physics
• Elementary Particles and Standard Model
10. Stellar Processes
• Properties of the Sun-Our Nearest Star
• The processes occurring in the Solar Interior
• Thermonuclear fusion
11. Stellar Evolution
• The Hertzsprung-Russel Diagram
• The birth of stars
• Stellar Main Sequence
• Post Main Sequence Stellar Evolution
12. Stellar Death
• Stellar Death of low, medium, and massive stars
• Planetary nebulae
• Supernova explosions
• White Dwarfs
• Neutron Stars and Black Hole
13. Galaxies
• How the distance to galaxies is measured
• Hubble’s Law
• Hubble’s tuning fork diagram
• Galaxy evolution
• Interacting galaxies
14. The Expanding Universe
• The implications of Hubble’s Law as regards an expanding universe
• The Cosmological Principle
• Distance and the Concept of “Lookback Time
15. The Early Universe
• The Big Bang
• Evidence for the Big Bang
• The Cosmic Microwave Background radiation and the universal excess of helium
16. Dark Matter and Dark Energy
• Evidence for dark matter
• for dark matter
• Measuring the geometry of the Universe
• The rationale for dark energy

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Measurements, Statistics, Error Analysis: Case of Bouncing Ball
2. Newton’s Laws of Motion
3. Two-dimensional motion: Motion of Projectile and Satellite Motion
4. Heat: Expansion, Specific Heat, Heat of Fusion and Vaporization, Thermodynamics
5. Static Electricity, Magnetism, Induction
6. Reflection, Refraction, Mirrors, Lenses, and Polarization
7. Interference, Diffraction, Emission and Absorption Spectra
8. Radioactivity
9. An introduction to Planispheres
10. Coordinate Systems
11. Telescopes and an introduction to telescope use / Devising a coordinate system for solar exploration
12. The Constellations and translating from map to night sky
13. Measuring the acceleration of gravity / Measuring the speed of light
14. Calculating the energy of thermonuclear fusion – silicon fusion to iron
15. Analyzing Star Clusters with the HR diagram
16. Classifying Galaxies, Plotting them on the planisphere,  and locating them in the night sky
17. Galactic Distances and Hubble’s Law
18. Galactic Clusters and HR Diagrams
19. The Absolute Magnitude of a Quasar