Meet Your Instructor
Mr. Scott Bulkley

Hello. My name is Scott Bulkley and I have been teaching astronomy at Barstow College since 1999. My first year at the college I wrote a proposal to add Introduction to Astronomy to our growing list of online courses at BCC. The curriculum committee subsequently approved this course, and now Intro to Astronomy is being offered via online delivery. Previously, there was both an in-class and Instructional Television (ITV) version of the class.

So that’s how the course got here. But how did I get here? (By the way, this is the most popular question I am asked by students at BCC).

Actually. I have been studying astronomy since I was about 6 years old. By age seven, I had already decided that I wanted to be a professional astronomer when I grew up. I went to the public library and read every book they had on astronomy, and I also took out a subscription to "Sky and Telescope" magazine, a monthly astronomy publication that I still receive today. At eight, I built my first telescope, a 4 1/4" reflector with optics purchased from Edmund Scientific Company.

At age 12, I built a larger telescope, an 8-inch reflector, even grinding the mirror from scratch (this took about a year). In high school I took all of the courses designed for a student on a professional astronomer track. However, in my senior year, I realized to my horror, that my original romantic notion of the professional astronomer excitedly peering through a giant telescope located upon a high mountaintop on a cold clear evening was completely flawed. I learned that this is not what a professional astronomer does. Most professional astronomers rarely, if ever, even look through a telescope! They spend most of their time crunching numbers, solving mathematical problems, and staring at computer screens. I was heartbroken, but vowed that I would never give up my interest in Astronomy nor stop viewing through my own telescopes.

In 1990, after several years in a completely different line of work (you'll have to guess, but it's about as far from astronomy as you can get), I decided to return to college to get a graduate degree at Northern Arizona University. As part of my Graduate Degree program which was specially designed for community college instructors in earth science, I had to take many graduate-level courses in Astronomy.

In 1995 after receiving my M.S. Degree from NAU, I was offered my first full-time teaching position at Eastern Oregon University. For four years I taught introductory courses in the earth sciences including geology, oceanography, and astronomy. I founded and advised an Astronomy club, which was very popular. And I built (with student help) my largest telescope to date, a sixteen-inch reflector. During my second year there, I developed and taught a course called Planetology, the study of the planets. It is my plan to offer this course at Barstow College (Online) in the near future.

In 1999, I was offered my current position as a full-time instructor at Barstow College, and, wanting to get back to southern California, I jumped on the chance. At first I was a little concerned as to whether there would be sufficient student interest in Astronomy given the remote, rural location. But it didn't take me long for me to realize that the Mojave Desert is one of the best areas in the United States for celestial viewing, and lots of people here appreciate this. The reasons are due to the clear evenings, arid conditions, and the higher elevation. So, indeed, this area truly is an astronomer’s paradise.

Because of the great student interest in Astronomy at BCC, I have been able to develop this online version of the introductory astronomy course, and purchase five brand new state-of-the-art telescopes for our evening viewing sessions. We are even building an observatory on campus. So I hope that you will enjoy this course, as you are certainly taking astronomy at Barstow College during a very eventful time!

Notes from your Instructor:

Hi, my name is Scott Bulkley and welcome to Astronomy 1, Introduction to Astronomy. I'm your instructor for this online course at Barstow College. This course has been offered before at the campus and it is now conducted online as well. Here are a few helpful things that I would like you to know before you start this course.

#2 Look over the Course Calendar on the Main ASTR 1 Homepage. This is a valuable tool for keeping track of your readings, assignments, and deadlines.

#3 Read my biography under "About Your Instructor." This will give you some introductory background about myself, both personally and professionally. Soon I will ask you to tell me a little bit about yourself. I find this to be an excellent way to "break in" to communicating online.

#4 Purchase the textbook as soon as possible and begin your reading. Assigned reading from the textbook is a requirement and there is no way to pass the course without the book. Try to stay on schedule with the reading assignments as per the syllabus. Don’t fall behind or read too far ahead.

#5 I am especially looking forward to the Discussion Assignments for this is the core of the online course. This is where you will interact with myself and with each other concerning interesting topics in astronomy. However, be sure to respond to all of the assignments in a timely manner. Late assignments will not be accepted. For instance, responses to each Discussion Question are limited to one week from the original posting date.

#6 Be sure to check my "Instructor Area" at least twice a week. By doing so you will be assured of getting important information such as assignment due dates, midterm and final exam information and dates, course updates, and any problems with the class. If you do not check this important area, you will most likely be hopelessly lost in the course. The "Instructor Area" is located at the top of the Main ASTR 1 Discussion Page.

#7 You are expected to do the weekly assignments and post them online by the deadlines. If you are uncertain of your responsibilities, check the course syllabus and the weekly units of assignments on the Main Calendar Page.

#8 I try to respond to questions within 48 hours in most cases (weekends and holidays excluded).  When communicating by email, please put ASTR 1 ONLINE n the Subject Box, and always attach your full name to the message. In this way I will be able to respond much faster to your inquiry.

#9 Online courses require self-discipline and self-motivation on your part, as well as good planning and effective use of your time. If you are not this type of person, you will have difficulty completing this course. Online classes are not easier than classroom classes. This is an unfortunate myth. Do not work too far ahead; stay on a week to week basis, but BE SURE to complete your work EACH AND EVERY week. You should NOT work more than TWO WEEKS ahead in this course under any circumstances.

#10 If you run into trouble during the semester, and unfortunately can no longer participate in the class, please remember that it is your responsibility to drop the class. The instructor is not responsible for dropping you.

#11 If at anytime during the semester, you run into problems, e-mail me and I will get back to you ASAP. If it is over a weekend (Fridays included), it may not be until Monday, but I will get back to you.

#12 We are lucky to have a wonderful webmaster, Nancy Olson, at BCC to handle any of your online technical problems. If you have any questions for the webmaster that cannot be answered via the online tutorial, then email her at webmaster@bcconline.com.

I'm sure that you will greatly enjoy this class and I look forward to "meeting" all of you over the Internet.

Thank you,

Mr. Bulkley

Barstow College Faculty