ASTR 1151: Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
This is a general interest introductory course on the night sky, stars and galaxies, and is intended for non-science majors. Topics Include: Telescopes and observing the night sky, radiation and spectra, stellar properties and evolution, black holes, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and cosmology.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the sky above
- Identify and explain radiation and spectra
- Identify and describe astronomical instruments
- Describe the Sun's nuclear fusion processes and explain the methods of energy transport
- Explain the aspects of starlight such as how to determine magnitudes and colours of the stars
- Describe the different types of stars in the Galaxy
- Explain how to determine distances, masses and sizes of stars
- Describe stellar evolution from birth to death, black holes, and the Milky Way galaxy
- Describe other types of galaxies and aspects of cosmology
Course topics
- Unit 1: Beginning the Cosmic Journey
- Unit 2: The Nature of Gravity and Light
- Unit 3: The Sun and Other Stars
- Unit 4: The Life and Death of Stars
- Unit 5: Galaxies and Cosmology
Required text and materials
Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:
- Seeds, M., & Backman, D. (2017). Stars and Galaxies (10th ed.). Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Type: E-Textbook. ISBN: 9780357700396
Note: This item can be purchased directly from TRU Bookstore link.
- Johnson, G. (2006). Miss Leavitt's Stars: the Untold Story of The Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe. W. W. Norton.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780393328561 / 9780393348378
Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Exam.
| Assignment 1a: APOD 1 (NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day) | 4% |
| Assignment 2a: Space News 1 | 4% |
| Test 1 (Units 1 & 2) | 5% |
| Assignment 1b: APOD 2 | 4% |
| Assignment 3: Citizen Science Project | 10% |
| Assignment 2b: Space News 2 | 4% |
| Assignment 4: Book Report and Assignment 4 Quiz | 10% |
| Test 2 (Units 3 & 4) | 5% |
| Assignment 1c: APOD 3 | 4% |
| Assignment 5: Observing the Night Sky | 10% |
| Mandatory Final Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
