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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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ASTR 1403 Stars and Galaxies
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Course Prefix & Number:
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Section Number: 0311
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Semester: Summer 2020
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Semester Credit Hours: 4
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Lecture Hours: 48
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Lab Hours: 32
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Study of stars, galaxies, and the universe outside our solar system. May or may not include a laboratory. 48 lecture hours + 32 laboratory hours
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Required:
-OpenStax Astronomy (Free):
https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy
-Expert TA access via Canvas (approx. $35)
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Shawn Langan
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Campus/Office Location:
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Online
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Telephone Number:
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402-509-3287
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E-mail Address:
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slangan@nctc.edu
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Office Hour:
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Tuesdays – 3pm-5pm – via Canvas conferences, or by appointment
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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6
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Homework
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30%
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6
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Lab Reports
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40%
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6
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Discussion Forums
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10%
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2
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Exams
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20%
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Letter grades will be assigned to your average score according to the following scale:
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90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Students will be able to define and apply basic astronomical concepts such as astronomical units, parallax, celestial coordinates.
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Students will be able to define and apply light spectrum concepts such as blackbody radiation, emission, absorption continuous and discrete spectra, wavelength, frequency and speed.
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Students will be able to describe the main characteristics of the sun such as size, mass, density, luminosity, and spectrum.
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Students will be able to understand the physical properties of the stars and apply them to explain their classification.
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Students will be able show understanding of the birth, evolution and death of stars.
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Students will be able describe the main features of galaxies and their classification.
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Students will be able to articulate modern cosmological ideas about the universe.
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Students will be able to perform experiments and collaborate in data collection and analysis, open discussion and drawing conclusion.
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Completion of all activities is mandatory. Students should expect to login to the Canvas course, and complete a portion of at least one of the assignments each week, at the minimum.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is June 30th, 2020.
Module #1 – June 8th - June14th – Coordinate Systems/Night Sky
Module #2 – June 15th – June 21st – The Physics of Astronomy
Module #3 – June 15th – June 21st – Solar Characteristics
Midterm Exam – June 22nd – June 28th
Module #4 – June 22nd – June 28th – Stellar Properties
Module #5 – June 29th – July 5th – Galaxies
Module #6 – July 6th – July 12th – Cosmology
Final Exam – July 13th – July 14th
DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112). http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________
o Communication
o Mathematics
X Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
o American History
o Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
X Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
o Social Responsibility
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
o Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2016-2017/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Dr. Lisa Bellows
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Science Building Office 403A
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-4252
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E-mail Address:
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lbellows@nctc.edu
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