ASTRO 20 - Stars and the Universe

Instructor: Scott Hildreth

Instructor Website http://www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/shildreth
Email Instructor shildreth@chabotcollege.edu

Instructor phone: 510-723-7468

Course Description

Introduction to the study of stars, galaxies, and cosmology.  Includes the nature of light and matter, telescopes, spectroscopy, stellar formation and evolution, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology.  Designed for non-majors in mathematics or a physical science. 

Graduation/Transfer Credit: (3) semester units of physical science that meets GE requirements for Associates Degrees, and transfers to UC, CSU, and most other four-year universities. A 1-unit companion lab, Astro 30, may be taken concurrently or subsequently, which satisfies science laboratory transfer requirements to UC and CSU.

This class begins August 17th and ends December 19th

Optional On-Campus Orientations

There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus Orientation to Online Learning that provides Blackboard log in instructions and help, an overview of the Blackboard course management system, and tips on netiquette, time management, and study skills for the online student.  Attend any one of these sessions:

• Monday, August 17th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Room 1602

• Tuesday, August 18th, noon-1:00 p.m., in Room 1602

• Wednesday, August 19th, 4:00-5:00 p.m., in Room 1618

• Thursday, August 20th, noon-1:00 p.m., in Room 1602

• Saturday, August 22nd, 10:00-11:00 a.m., in Room 1602

• Monday, August 24th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Room 1602

Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.

How This Class Operates

This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class.

Active participation is required. The course will be available online 24x7. You are never required to be online on a certain day or at a certain time. You are required to login in and post at least twice each week to one of the discussion forums. Primary posts are due by Thursday nights before midnight; responses to at least two other students are due by Sunday nights before midnight. You are required to have access to a working, reliable computer with the capability to connect to the internet.

For additional information about this class, including the syllabus, online course calendar, and typical assignments, please see my website at http://www.chabotcollege.edu/faculty/shildreth

Required on-campus meetings: None.

Participation Expectations and Drop Policy:
If you are pre-registered, you must login to the Blackboard course site, and post to the initial homework assignment by the end of the first week of classes. If you do not, and do not email the professor, you will be dropped.

You may be dropped if you do not login and post to the discussions without prior notice for more than 2 weeks.

How to ADD:
If the course is full, please visit my webpage, click on and read the "onramp page" for the course, and fill out the e-form there to let me know of your desire to ADD. I will keep a waiting list of students who want to add the class, and will keep you informed of your status. You will be able to login to the class, and participate and do assignments, while you wait.

Textbook Information

The Essential Cosmic Perspective (4th ed) by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, & Voit.  Pearson (2007).  0-8053-9392-7.

Also Required: Blackboard/Mastering Astronomy Access PIN code for The Cosmic Perspective, available for free IF you purchase a new book in the Chabot Bookstore or online from the publisher, or, available separately for about $27 online from the publisher if you purchase a used book or have a different book from a friend, previous class, or other source.  

Also Required: A Star & Planet Locator (or "Planisphere"); numerous options for these are available.

How Students are Graded

Approximate Grading Scale:
Homework & Participation: ~30%
Online Quizzes: ~25%
Online Tutorials: ~15%
Midterm: ~15%
Final Exam: ~15%

You cannot pass this class with a grade of C or higher without regular, substantial participation online through weekly posting. The specific percentages and assignments will be specified in the class syllabus. Late work without prior agreement is not usually accepted.

Succeeding in an Online Course

Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, or can't use a computer too well, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.   Or, you might consider enrolling in our Introduction to Online Learning course (GNST-4910), which provides an overview of online learning and equips you to succeed in your first online class.

Don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.

Blackboard

This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the How to Begin an Online Course page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.  Students are expected to become familiar with the use and operation of Blackboard functions and are encouraged to attend an orientation session provided by the Distance Education program at Chabot College. In addition, the professor provides a general unit on "How to Navigate in Blackboard" for students to understand how to use the major features the professor employs.

Register for this course