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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Astronomy
  • Unit Code

    SCI2123
  • Year

    2020
  • 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:

  1. Demonstrate skills in investigation planning, data collection, data processing and communication in laboratory and field work associated with space science phenomena.
  2. Demonstrate skills in the use of a camera to photograph star constellations.
  3. Describe and explain the general structure of the Universe and the Solar System.
  4. Describe the characteristics of galaxies and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
  5. Describe the major theories of Solar System formation, and the characteristics of the system of planets.
  6. Describe the major theories of stellar evolution, and the characteristics of the phases of a star through its evolution.
  7. Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories of introductory astronomy.
  8. Explain the construction of the main types of telescopes, and use a telescope for astronomical viewing.

Unit Content

  1. 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.
  2. Constellations: Major constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Origins of constellation nomenclature. Features of major constellations.
  3. 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.
  4. Galaxies: Hubble classification of galaxies. Detailed description of the Milky Way Galaxy. Galactic evolution.
  5. 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.
  6. Planets: Detailed descriptions of Mercury and Mars as examples of terrestrial planets, and Jupiter and Saturn as examples of Jovian planets.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. The Solar System: Formation of Solar System, orbits of planets, planetary periods, composition of planets, atmospheres, and natural satellites.
  10. 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 ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 27 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot 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 Board of Examiners.

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 CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Portfolio of Astrophotography activities.40%
AssignmentA set of online assignments (up to 4 quizzes).20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

^ 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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Astronomy
  • Unit Code

    SCI2123
  • Year

    2020
  • 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:

  1. Demonstrate skills in investigation planning, data collection, data processing and communication in laboratory and field work associated with space science phenomena.
  2. Demonstrate skills in the use of a camera to photograph star constellations.
  3. Describe and explain the general structure of the Universe and the Solar System.
  4. Describe the characteristics of galaxies and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
  5. Describe the major theories of Solar System formation, and the characteristics of the system of planets.
  6. Describe the major theories of stellar evolution, and the characteristics of the phases of a star through its evolution.
  7. Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories of introductory astronomy.
  8. Explain the construction of the main types of telescopes, and use a telescope for astronomical viewing.

Unit Content

  1. 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.
  2. Constellations: Major constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Origins of constellation nomenclature. Features of major constellations.
  3. 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.
  4. Galaxies: Hubble classification of galaxies. Detailed description of the Milky Way Galaxy. Galactic evolution.
  5. 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.
  6. Planets: Detailed descriptions of Mercury and Mars as examples of terrestrial planets, and Jupiter and Saturn as examples of Jovian planets.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. The Solar System: Formation of Solar System, orbits of planets, planetary periods, composition of planets, atmospheres, and natural satellites.
  10. 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 ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 27 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot 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 Board of Examiners.

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 CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Portfolio of Astrophotography activities.40%
AssignmentA set of online assignments (up to 4 quizzes).20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

^ 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|2