User Name and Password:  

You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these words you will not be able to access the course materials. You will receive your user name and password from your instructor after you have completed the syllabus.

In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:

Instructor: Scott Bulkley

Telephone: (760) 252-2411 ex 7301

Please leave brief message, name and phone number where you can be reached.

E-mail: sbulkley@bcconline.com

Always put "ASTR 1" first, and then your Full Name in the Subject Line. Also mark email's subject line with -- Important Question -- if quick response is needed.

In the box below type, your understanding of regular effective contact and why it is needed in an on-line course:

Name Of Course: Introduction to Astronomy

Course Number: ASTR 1

Units: Three

Course Prerequisite: None

Course Description: 
Principles of astronomy, including motions of the earth, time measurement, the solar system, stellar and galactic phenomena and cosmology. Star and constellation identification. Viewing of telescopic objects. Degree Applicable. UC/CSU

Purpose Of Course:
To meet the general education requirement for both the Associate Degree and for transfer purposes. Satisfies Natural Science Requirement at BCC. Transfers to UC/CSU. IGETC approved.

Course Objectives:
At the close of the semester, the student will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the function of astronomical instrumentation, including laws of optics, refracting and reflecting telescopes, spectroscopy and radio telescopes.

2. Discuss the laws of celestial mechanics, including gravity and Kepler’s Laws and describe the planetary configurations and motions.

3. Describe the nature, positions and orbital motions of the various bodies comprising the solar system, including the sun, planets, satellites, asteroids, comets and meteoroids.

4. Understand and explain the evolutionary history of stars, types of stars and the galactic structure.

5. Describe in general terms the structure and extent of the observable universe.

6. Identify visible planets and prominent stars and constellations.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In the box below type the one objective that interests you the most from the list above and one reason why you took this class. 

A. Online quizzes will be conducted to reinforce important concepts.

B. Reading from the textbook will be assigned on a weekly basis.

C. Comprehensive exams will be conducted to measure the degree of student learning.

D. On-line discussions and debates in which opposing points of view are taken seriously and fully explored.

A. One midterm and a final examination based upon the text, online lectures, discussion groups and other materials. The format of the exams will be discussed in the Instructor's Posting Area.

B. Online quizzes which will cover material presented online and in the text.

C. Participation in online discussion questions designed to engage students in meaningful thought and debate.

Students will demonstrate via discussion questions responses the ability to examine a problem, formulate a hypothesis, analyze data, and describe the results in a clear and meaningful manner.

You must visit this site http://www.bcconline.com/orient/ for an online orientation. If you cannot take the exam at the Barstow College Computer Commons or Ft. Irwin Testing Center, you will have to find an approved proctor, for example, a librarian or education officer. You will also have to secure an approved site, such as a library or an education center, at which to take the exam.

All students are required to take the exams at an adequately supervised location. Tests will be given on-campus as scheduled. Students should make every effort to take the exam on the Main Campus at the scheduled times. If you have a compelling reason why you are physically unable to take the exam at the Barstow College location, you may take the exam at a location near you, using a proctor approved by your instructor. Examples of approved proctors are college teaching faculty members or faculty librarians. Friends or family members are not suitable proctors. You must inform the instructor no later than two weeks after the start of the semester that you intend to take the exam at another location with a proctor so that your instructor has time to approve a suitable proctor and location. It is the student’s responsibility to find, locate, and contact a suitable proctor and exam location after the proctor and location have been approved by the instructor.

In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the test information above.  If I require a proctor I must fill out the proctor form and have my proctor approved by the instructor by the end of the second week of the course. 

As well as regular monitoring of email and the discussion board/group, the instructor will spend a minimum of one hour per week, at an identified time, for an online office hour. Students should expect immediate response from the instructor at this time.

Each of the following discussion questions will be posted during a one-week period for you to respond. First, all students will post an opinion to the question. After that, students will respond to at least one other student in the class who has posted opinions. After the week of posting for each question, the discussion will be closed. There will be a total of 8 discussion questions during the semester. Each of them is worth 6 points toward the grade in the class. Students will also receive 2 points for their introductory paragraph during the first week of class.  

The Instructor's Posting Area in the discussion group is strictly for instructor's posting. Any student who posts in that area will have points deducted from their grade and may be subject to disciplinary action if postings continue.

On-line Discussion Questions

#1 Which one of the following contributed the most to astronomy: Copernicus or Kepler? Why?

#2 Which one of the following astronomers made the greatest contribution to astronomy: Galileo or Newton? Why?

#3 Which type of telescope would you want to buy- a refractor or a reflector? Why?

#4 Which of the terrestrial planets (other than Earth) is most interesting? Why?

#5 Should Pluto have been demoted from planetary status? Why? Or Why not?

#6 Which type of nebula is most interesting to you: reflection nebulae, emission nebulae or dark nebulae? Why?

#7 Do black holes really exist? Cite evidence for or against.

#8 Do you think there is extraterrestrial life in the universe? Why or why not?

In answering each question, you should cite evidence which you have learned during the class in order to defend your answer and support your position. However, you are free to speculate on "new’ ideas as long as you can back them up with a coherent and plausible argument.

Brief Outline Of Online Course Content:

WEEK 1 
The Quest Ahead - Chapter 1 
To A Sun-Centered System - Chapter 2

WEEK 2 
Galileo and the Rise of Modern Astronomy - Chapter 3
Light - Chapter 4

WEEK 3 
Telescopes - Chapter 5
The Earth-Moon System - Chapter 6

WEEK 4 
A Planetary Overview - Chapter 7
The Terrestrial Planets - Chapter 8

WEEK 5 
The Jovian Planets - Chapter 9
Dwarf Planets and Solar System Debris - Chapter 10
MIDTERM EXAM

WEEK 6 
The Sun - Chapter 11
The Properties of Stars - Chapter 12
Star Formation and Interstellar Matter - Chapter 13

WEEK 7 
The Lives and Deaths of Low-Mass Stars - Chapter 14
The Deaths of Massive Stars - Chapter 15
The Milky Way Galaxy - Chapter 16

WEEK 8 
A Diversity of Galaxies - Chapter 17
Cosmology - Chapter 18
Search for E.T. - Chapter 19
FINAL EXAM

Exams:

All exams for this course will be:

a) Closed Book
b) Closed Notes
c) Individual Effort

TEXT: In Quest of the Universe, 6^th Ed. by Koupelis

RECOMMENDED: Calculator.

There will be some simple mathematical problems. A calculator will make problem-solving much easier.

In the box below type, I have textbook for ASTR 1 or I will have it by the end of the first week of class.

Email Updates

One of the primary methods of contact in an online course is email. Your college is capable of extracting student names and email addresses from our registration system. The purpose of extracting this information is two fold. The information will be used by the instructor to remain in contact with the class in order to provide information necessary for the students' academic success. The information will also be used to send emails to the students from the college administration. The emails sent by the college administration will consist of links to course surveys which will be used to improve our online courses, important announcements for students, and links to college surveys, which will be used to satisfy requirements placed on the college by the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The college will not use this information to advertise any products and will not share student email addresses with any other organization.

In the box below type the following information:

As a student I understand it is my responsibility to ensure my email address is up to date in the registration system, and that failure to do so can seriously impact my ability to successfully complete my courses. Further, I consent to receive email communication from my instructor and from the college administration. This consent will remain in force until it is revoked in writing or I am no longer taking classes with the college. Upon submitting the syllabus, I agree to enter the registration system, check my email address and change it if necessary. I understand a tutorial is available to assist me with this procedure. I also understand I can contact 760-252-2411 x7236 to receive additional assistance if I encounter any difficulties when attempting to change my email address.

50 Points Online Quizzes

50 Points Participation–Online Discussion Questions

100 Points Midterm Exam

100 Points Final Exam

300 Points Total

Grading Scale:

A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: < 60%

In the box below type, I understand the methods of  grading and agree to abide by them.

Course Policies:

Instructor's Area: It is imperative that each student checks the "instructor area on the Main Discussion Page at least twice a week. In order to access the instructor area you must click on the discuss button on any page of the course. Then you will log into the ASTR 1 discussion area. The top link is the instructor area. This will ensure that you have all the assignments and deadlines and are informed about any important changes in the course.

Participation: Participation at all discussion groups, and reading of all assigned portions of the text are essential in order to achieve a good grade in the class.

Make-ups: There are generally NO MAKE-UPS for quizzes or exams. Make-ups for quizzes and exams are granted only under rare and unusual circumstances (such as military service or hospitalization), and only then when the student has contacted the instructor BEFORE the exam to make the necessary arrangements.

Late Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. If an assignment is accepted late, there will be a grading penalty. (Usually 10-20% depending on the severity.)

Cheating/Plagiarism: In accordance with BCC Student Academic Policy, any student caught cheating on an exam or plagiarizing on a paper or project will receive an F in the course, and notification of such activities will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. Such action can include suspension or expulsion from Barstow College. All students should read the sections under Student Rights and Responsibilities in the current Student Handbook. Pay particular attention to the sections on Cheating and Plagiarism and Student Discipline.

Plagiarism: The act of plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own) is a crime punishable by failure, expulsion and possible legal action. It is the student’s responsibility to learn how to give proper credit for materials taken from other sources. It is understood that ignorance is not a defense to plagiarism.

Group Work: All students must do their own work. Teamwork is not allowed for assignments or quizzes in this class. However, study sessions for obtaining general knowledge are encouraged.

Dropping: BCC policy states that it is the student’s responsibility to drop a class. If you determine that you can no longer continue with the course, it is your responsibility to drop. Failure to do this will result in an "F" being assigned. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP THE CLASS! The instructor will not drop you!

Syllabus Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when conflicts, emergencies or situations arise that necessitate a change. Students will be duly notified.

In the box below, I understand a syllabus is a general guideline for students to use in planning their time for a particular class. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to the syllabus with reasonable time allowances for students to adjust to the changes.

Disability Statement: