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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 2021
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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 Course Materials:
Required:
-OpenStax Astronomy (Free):
https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy
-NAAP labs (Free, but only accessible from a Windows or Mac Computer):
https://astro.unl.edu/downloads/
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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 Webex, 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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ATTENDANCE POLICY
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 every other day, at the minimum.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is June 29th, 2021.
Module #1 – June 7th – June 13th – Coordinate Systems/Night Sky
Module #2 – June 14th – June 20th – The Physics of Astronomy
Module #3 – June 14th – June 20th – Solar Characteristics
Midterm Exam – June 21st – June 27th
Module #4 – June 21st – June 27th – Stellar Properties
Module #5 – June 28th – July 4th – Galaxies
Module #6 – July 5th – July 11th – Cosmology
Final Exam – July 12th – July 13th
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
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
X Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
o Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
o Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
STUDENT HANDBOOK
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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Syllabus Addendum – Spring 2021
NCTC Student Services and Resources
Affinity Groups
Staff and faculty representing the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), along with academic advisors, counselors and success coaches, serve as mentors for NCTC’s student-centered Affinity Groups.
An Affinity Group is a population of students who have specific needs, barriers or systems they are needing to navigate not only within college, but within life. Providing mentorship, support and resources for identified Affinity Groups such as Black/African American students, veterans and active military, single parents, students with disabilities, adult learners, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness, enables us to make more impactful, meaningful connections with students who are in dire need of equity and understanding.
Career Services Center
In need of employment? NCTC Career Coaches meet one-on-one to provide training in writing resumes, job searches, interviewing, and more. The Skills to Succeed Academy is also a free interactive, online employability training program focused on building the skills and confidence you need to find the best career.
Completion Center
The Completion Center provides a variety of services for first-time in college students. These include academic success coaching, goal setting, course planning, student resources, career development, and job placement services for all new college students. Free online Success Seminars are also available through Student Lingo and new students will also enroll in a First Year Experience (NCTC 1001) course to get started on the right track!
Counseling and Advising
Academic Advisors and Counselors help students explore majors and programs offered, how to take the best combination of classes to meet your goals, assist with questions related to university transfer, and guide students towards academic and personal success, and more. At NCTC, you are assigned to a specific advisor or success coach based on your major or career interests. You can locate our advisors and their majors, along with contact information on the Meet Your Advisor page-and even schedule an appointment with them through their online calendar!
Early Alert and CARES
The NCTC Early Alert program assists students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff may refer students through the Early Alert process at any point in the semester in an effort to provide appropriate intervention and access to support services. Examples of behaviors that could prompt an Early Alert referral could be missing assignments, failing tests, excessive absences, or personal circumstances impacting academic performance. A student submitted as an Early Alert will be contacted by an academic advisor or success coach through text, phone, and/or via their NCTC e-mail address to discuss any current challenges as well as helpful resources and success strategies-we want our students to finish strong and know that education is a partnership!
The NCTC CARES Team is concerned not only about our students' academic success, but also their emotional and physical well-being. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. Visit the NCTC CARES site to also locate campus and community resources, or email counseling@nctc.edu. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
EDI partners with the entire campus community to create, maintain and demonstrate NCTC’s commitment to an equitable, diverse and inclusive learning environment where NCTC students succeed. NCTC defines equity as encompassing the practice of acknowledging individual differences and systemic disparities when developing new programs and resources for our campus community, which may sometimes challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, in order to ensure balanced educational opportunities toward completion. Everyone Included. Everyone Belongs. Everyone Valued. Everyone Inspired.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid provides students with information and guidance with applying for eligible types of financial assistance, such as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students who have any types of exemptions or tuition waivers will also work with the Financial Aid Office to have these funds applied to their accounts. Additionally, the Scholarship Office provides local scholarship opportunities through an online application process, and tips on how to secure other types of scholarship awards which can help finance educational goals.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring. Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, and a Math Lab to assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.
Testing Services
The mission of NCTC Testing Services is to provide high-quality testing services that adhere to the professional standards and guidelines to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members.
COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Summer 2021
Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on June 2, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.
Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.
Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: We recently faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.
Faculty will:
- Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.
Students should:
- Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
- Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
- Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
- Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
- Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
- Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
- Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.
During the summer 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.
Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html