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 stars and constellations;
2. explaining celestial coordinates;
3. defining astronomical unit;
4. defining the terms parsec and light year;
5. explaining the scientific method.
Demonstrate an understanding of the positions of the sun and the moon relative to each other by
1. describing sun/moon/stars/planets motions;
2. describing sun seasonal positions;
3. describing solar and lunar eclipse phenomena;
4. describing moon phases;
5. defining and locate the ecliptic.
Demonstrate an understanding of various cosmological models by
1. describing several ancient cosmological models;
2. differentiating between heliocentric and geocentric cosmological models;
3. explaining the Copernican cosmological model;
4. explaining Kepler's astronomical work;
5. explaining similarities and differences between Copernican and Kepler cosmological models;
6. explaining Galileo's contributions to the development of science.
Demonstrate an understanding of motion laws by
1. defining the following terms: position, velocity, speed acceleration, mass, weight;
2. differentiating between centrifugal and centripetal force;
3. describing escape speed concept;
4. explaining Kepler’s laws of planetary motion;
5. explaining Newton motion laws;
6. explaining Newton gravitation law.
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;
7. explaining energy concepts;
8. explaining the Doppler shift;
9. stating the speed of light.
Demonstrate an understanding of telescope types and functions by
1. describing nonvisible astronomy;
2. describing telescope functions and designs;
3. distinguishing among telescope light gathering power/resolution/ magnifying power/focal length;
4. differentiating between telescope types;
5. explaining space based astronomy.
Demonstrate an understanding of the formation of a planetary system by
1. describing the abundances of the elements;
2. explaining the origin and evolution of the solar system;
3. describing the formation process of gas giants;
4. describing the formation process of terrestrial planets;
5. explaining the role of asteroids and trans Neptunian objects in the formation of the solar system;
6. describing the search for extra solar planets;
7. explaining the characteristics of extra solar planets.
Demonstrate an understanding of Earth properties by
1. describing Earth mass/density determination method;
2. describing determinations of the age of the Earth;
3. describing properties of Earth’s magnetosphere;
4. describing Earth atmosphere effects;
5. describing charge particle/magnetic field interactions;
6. describing the Earth’s interior structure;
7. explaining the evolution of the Earth.
Demonstrate an understanding of the Earth/Moon system by
1. describing the physical properties of the moon;
2. describing the tidal interactions between the moon and Earth;
3. explaining the surface features of the moon;
4. explaining theories of the origin of the moon.
Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast planetary characteristics by
1. explaining the similarities and differences between the gas giant planets and terrestrial planets;
2. explaining the similarities and differences among the inner (terrestrial) planets;
3. explaining the similarities and differences among the outer (gas giant) planets.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the planets of the solar system by
1. explaining the surface characteristics of the terrestrial planets;
2. explaining the interior characteristics of the terrestrial planets;
3. explaining the interior characteristics of the gas giant planets;
4. explaining the evolutionary history of Venus and Mars;
5. explaining cratering events in the solar system;
6. explaining volcanism on planets in the solar system;
7. explaining the magnetic fields of the planets;
8. listing the major planets of the solar system.
Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast the characteristics of the natural satellites of the various planets by
1. describing differences in the composition, number, size, and possible atmospheres of the satellites of the various planets;
2. describing differences in the orbital characteristics and the gravitational interactions of the satellites of the various planets;
3. explaining the nature of ring systems of planets.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of small bodies in the solar system by
1. describing the characteristics of the Kuiper Belt and its components;
2. describing the characteristics of the Oort Cloud and its components;
3. describing the characteristics of the Asteroid Belt and its components;
4. explaining the nature and composition of asteroids and comets;
5. differentiating among meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites.
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 1404

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PHYS 1404 - Solar System (Lecture Lab)