Algonquin College
AST2000
Introduction to Astronomy
Course Outline
2021-2022
- Pre-requisite(s)
- N/A
- Co-requisite(s)
- N/A
- Prepared by
- Ryan Porter
- Approved by
- Adam Shane, Chair, ASET
- Normative hours
- 42.00
- Grading system
- A+ Through F
| Applicable Program(s) | Level | Core/Elective |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Programs | Multiple Levels | Multiple Core/Elective |
Course Description
What can the sky tell us about our place in the universe, and how life began? This introductory course to astronomy will teach students indigenous and Western constellations in the sky, as well as introduce them to the major planets. Students will act as beginning astronomers and engineers by performing sketches, doing research on astronomy topics, and learning about missions to Mars that are on the hunt for signs of life.
General Education Theme Area(s)
This is a General Education course that supports learning in the following theme area(s): Science and Technology , Social and Cultural Understanding
Essential Employability Skills
This course contributes to your program by helping you achieve the following Essential Employability Skills:
| EES 1 | Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. (A) |
|---|---|
| EES 2 | Respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. (A) |
| EES 7 | Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. (A) |
| EES 8 | Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems and contributions of others. (A) |
| EES 10 | Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects. (A) |
Assessment Levels —T: Taught A: Assessed CP: Culminating Performance
Course Learning Requirements / Embedded Knowledge and Skills
When you have earned credit for this course, you will have demonstrated the ability to:
1. Explain the significance of astronomy in today's scientific work.
- Compare scientific findings in astronomy and other fields to gain a greater understanding of how the world works.
- Combine knowledge of chemistry and physics with astronomical knowledge to understand how planets, stars, galaxies and other astronomical objects are formed.
- Use astronomical principles to solve real-life problems, such as navigation.
- Produce a report on astronomy that will enhance others' knowledge of the field.
2. Analyze the processes of scientific investigation and research.
- Evaluate how astronomers conduct science with astronomical observations to contextualize current-day research.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of astronomical observations to gain an understanding of the scientific method.
- Perform observations of planets and stars to gain a sense of how real-life astronomers perform their work.
- Compare older scientific findings with newer understandings to develop a sense of the progress of the field of astronomy and scientific discovery.
3. Apply Indigenous knowledge to contemporary science.
- Identify Indigenous constellations in the sky to gain cultural understanding.
- Research folklore associated with Indigenous constellations to learn about the importance of folklore in Indigenous life.
- Compare Indigenous astronomical knowledge to other types of astronomical knowledge to merge different types of scientific understanding.
- Devise frameworks for Indigenous co-operation in research that promotes inclusivity in science.
4. Use word processing software to write technical reports.
- Identify the preferred audience for technical reports to tailor writing.
- Write reports using common grammar and language to enhance the readers' understanding.
- Use Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) formatting for references in accordance with standards in the field.
- Compose reports that show how a set of arguments leads to a conclusion, in accordance with standards in the field.
Pre-defined Evaluation / Earning Credit
The following list provides evidence of this course's learning achievements and the outcomes they validate:
Presentation(s) (30%)
Validates Outcomes: CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, EES 1, EES 2, EES 7, EES 8, EES 10
Assignment(s) (40%)
Validates Outcomes: CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, CLR 4, EES 1, EES 2, EES 7, EES 8, EES 10
Quiz(zes) (30%)
Validates Outcomes: CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, CLR 4, EES 1, EES 2, EES 7, EES 8, EES 10
Learning Resources
Required Textbook:
None.
Recommended Resources:
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. (2020, May 9). Tips & Expectations for Visual Observers. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. https://www.rasc.ca/observing/tips.
Sky&Telescope Magazine. (2020). Celestial Objects to Observe. Sky&Telescope Magazine. https://skyandtelescope.org/celestial-objects-observe/.
Sky&Telescope Magazine. (2020). This Week's Sky At A Glance. Sky&Telescope Magazine. https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/.
Hardware and Software:
Please follow the Algonquin College BYOD requirements: https://www7.algonquincollege.com/byod/.
Stellarium software is recommended to help with night sky observations. You can download it free here: https://stellarium.org/.
None.
Recommended Resources:
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. (2020, May 9). Tips & Expectations for Visual Observers. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. https://www.rasc.ca/observing/tips.
Sky&Telescope Magazine. (2020). Celestial Objects to Observe. Sky&Telescope Magazine. https://skyandtelescope.org/celestial-objects-observe/.
Sky&Telescope Magazine. (2020). This Week's Sky At A Glance. Sky&Telescope Magazine. https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/.
Hardware and Software:
Please follow the Algonquin College BYOD requirements: https://www7.algonquincollege.com/byod/.
Stellarium software is recommended to help with night sky observations. You can download it free here: https://stellarium.org/.
Learning Activities
Presentations
Assignments
Quizzes
Slideshows
Field work
Videos
Assignments
Quizzes
Slideshows
Field work
Videos
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Students who wish to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all outlined course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievement for PLAR candidates includes:
- Portfolio
Other Information
Grade Scheme
| Final Grade | Mark Equivalent | Numeric Value | Final Grade | Mark Equivalent | Numeric Value |
| A+ | 90% - 100% | 4.0 | A | 85% - 89% | 3.8 |
| A- | 80% - 84% | 3.6 | B+ | 77% - 79% | 3.3 |
| B | 73% - 76% | 3.0 | B- | 70% - 72% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 67% - 69% | 2.3 | C | 63% - 66% | 2.0 |
| C- | 60% - 62% | 1.7 | D+ | 57% - 59% | 1.4 |
| D | 53% - 56% | 1.2 | D- | 50% - 52% | 1.0 |
| F | 0% - 49% | 0 | FSP | 0 | 0 |
Course Related Information
- No late assignments will be accepted unless a student can demonstrate a true personal or professional emergency.
- All quizzes will be completed using a Learning Management System (Brightspace)
- All written assignments should be submitted in .doc, .docx or .pdf formats.
- All presentations should be submitted using an online video platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo. Please make sure the video is accessible for evaluation, such as providing a private link to the professor.
Program Information
College Related Information
Algonquin College’s policies have been developed to ensure the health, safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, and the proper and fair operation of the College as an academic institution and employer. Please refer to the Algonquin College Policies website for the most current policy information available at http://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/.
Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations
Academic Integrity
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards as part of the learning process. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise and all sources must be attributed. All students should be familiar with the Algonquin College policy AA48: Academic Integrity . In some courses, online proctoring may be used to discourage cheating. Additional information can be found at https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/preparing-to-learn-online/. Students with any questions about the course expectations for academic dishonesty and plagiarism are encouraged to speak to their professor.
Centre for Accessible Learning
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations. Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester.
College Email
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities. Your network credentials can be found in the ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/
Retroactive Accommodations
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and course section information documents. In circumstances where evaluation and/or completion deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary or permanent disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. In such instances, please consult your course faculty member. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please consult Algonquin College Policy AA21: Deferred Evaluation.
Student Course Feedback
Algonquin College’s invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback.
Use of Mobile Devices in Class
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices can be disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices may facilitate cheating. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA32: Use of Mobile Devices in Class
Technology Requirements
As Algonquin College continues to respond to public health guidelines, many courses will be offered through remote delivery. As such, students will be required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Course Section Information of the course outline for each course available on Brightspace.
Transfer of Credit
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions.
Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations
Academic Integrity
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards as part of the learning process. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise and all sources must be attributed. All students should be familiar with the Algonquin College policy AA48: Academic Integrity . In some courses, online proctoring may be used to discourage cheating. Additional information can be found at https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/preparing-to-learn-online/. Students with any questions about the course expectations for academic dishonesty and plagiarism are encouraged to speak to their professor.
Centre for Accessible Learning
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations. Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester.
College Email
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities. Your network credentials can be found in the ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/
Retroactive Accommodations
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and course section information documents. In circumstances where evaluation and/or completion deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary or permanent disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. In such instances, please consult your course faculty member. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please consult Algonquin College Policy AA21: Deferred Evaluation.
Student Course Feedback
Algonquin College’s invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback.
Use of Mobile Devices in Class
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices can be disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices may facilitate cheating. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA32: Use of Mobile Devices in Class
Technology Requirements
As Algonquin College continues to respond to public health guidelines, many courses will be offered through remote delivery. As such, students will be required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Course Section Information of the course outline for each course available on Brightspace.
Transfer of Credit
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions.