Course goals and learning outcomes support the Foundational Component Areas defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Course goals are linked to the respective Core Curriculum Competencies: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical and Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork. Specific competencies are identified in designated course goals and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of basic astronomical concepts by
1. identifying selected stars and constellations;
2. explaining celestial coordinates;
3. defining astronomical unit;
4. defining the terms heliocentric parallax, parsec, and light year;
5. explaining the scientific method.
Demonstrate an understanding of light spectrum concepts by
1. describing continuous/absorption/emission spectra;
2. describing wavelength/frequency/light speed relationships;
3. describing electromagnetic spectrum;
4. describing the particle/wave nature of light;
5. explaining the Balmer spectral series;
6. explaining the relationship between temperature and light production (Blackbody Radiation);
7. explaining energy concepts;
8. explaining the Doppler shift;
9. stating the speed of light.
Demonstrate an understanding of solar characteristics by
1. describing sun mass/size/density/luminosity/surface temperature/sun distance calculation methods;
2. explaining opacity concepts;
3. describing the solar spectrum;
4. explaining solar neutrino experiments;
5. explaining solar magnetic effects and the sunspot cycles.
Demonstrate an understanding of star physical properties by
1. explaining light inverse square law;
2. explaining stellar classification;
3. explaining Hertzsprung-Russel diagram and how it relates to certain star properties;
4. describing binary star systems;
5. explaining stars finite lifetimes;
6. comparing apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude.
Demonstrate an understanding of stars’ birth processes by
1. explaining interstellar gas properties/location/formation;
2. explaining gravitational collapse/contraction concepts;
3. explaining star model physical concepts;
4. discussing several star forming regions;
5. differentiating between massive stars/solar mass star formation;
6. analyzing models of planetary formation and extra solar planets.
Demonstrate an understanding of star types and energy properties by
1. explaining mass/chemical composition stellar evolution effects;
2. explaining star fusion reactions;
3. differentiating between open star clusters and globular star clusters;
4. differentiating between white dwarf/brown dwarf/neutron stars;
5. comparing degenerate star and ordinary star physical properties.
Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution and death of stars by
1. describing stellar evolution;
2. tracing evolutionary tracks on the HR Diagram;
3. describing supernova explosions;
4. describing Cepheid variable stars;
5. describing neutron star and pulsar characteristics;
6. describing synchrotron radiation emission;
7. describing black hole characteristics;
8. describing nucleosynthesis occurrence;
9. describing cosmic ray properties;
10. explaining supernova remnant characteristics;
11. differentiating between nova and supernova features;
12. defining the terms red giant, white dwarf, neutron star, black hole.
Demonstrate an understanding of the Milky Way Galaxy by
1. describing the structure of the Milky Way;
2. describing the types of stars found in the Milky Way;
3. describing the interstellar medium;
4. describing the differential rotation of the galaxy;
5. describing the characteristics of the core of the galaxy;
6. describing the characteristics of the disk of the galaxy;
7. contrasting the disk and halo of the galaxy;
8. explaining spiral arm tracers;
9. explaining galactic spiral arms;
10. explaining the rotation curve of the galaxy.
Demonstrate an understanding of extragalactic astronomy by
Demonstrate an understanding of active galaxy features by
1. explaining active galaxy activity;
2. explaining quasar observational characteristics;
3. explaining quasar red/shift significance;
4. explaining radio galaxy characteristics;
5. explaining galaxy nuclei jets properties;
6. outlining the AGN/quasar/black hole generic model;
7. differentiating between active galaxy/ordinary galaxy nuclei;
8. differentiating between Milky Way Galaxy/active galactic nuclei/quasars nuclei.
Demonstrate an understanding of basic cosmology by
1. describing the Big Bang model;
2. explaining the role of dark matter in the universe;
3. describing the expansion of the universe;
4. describing cosmic background observed properties;
5. describing particle production physical basis;
6. describing galaxy formation;
7. describing the large scale structure of the universe;
8. outlining the Big Bang model element formation process;
9. identifying life characteristics;
10. sketching universe origin/present time line;
11. evaluating extraterrestrial life possibility.
Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrate critical thinking by
1. using critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory;
2. applying content learned in lecture to activities performed in the laboratory;
3. applying scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data;
4. demonstrating the ability to research, analyze, and evaluate scientific information.
Communication Skills: Demonstrate communication skills by
1. recording experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks, and communicating experimental results clearly in written reports;
2. demonstrating an understanding of physics terms relating to the topics covered in written, oral, and/or visual form.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Demonstrate empirical and quantitative skills by
1. developing techniques to set up and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.
Teamwork: Demonstrate teamwork by
1. demonstrating an understanding of teamwork by collaborating in problem solving sessions, or open discussion on the same, to include but not limited to setting up the problems, data collection, data analysis, and drawing conclusions.

PHYS 1403

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PHYS 1403 - Stars and Galaxies (Lecture Lab)