AST 102 - Stellar Astronomy

Class: 3 Lab: 3 Credits: 4
This course is a descriptive survey of the universe with emphasis on basic physical concepts and galactic and extra- galactic objects. Related topics of current interest are included in the course.

Prerequisite(s): Take AST 101 with a minimum grade of “C”.

Course Topics:

Our Star
Surveying the Stars
Star Stuff
The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard
Our Galaxy
Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology
Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe
The Beginning of Time
Life in the Universe

Textbooks:
Textbook information can be found on the Book Inn Web site

Required Materials:

Scientific, graphic calculator (TI series)
MasteringAstronomy.com student access kit
Voyager: SkyGazer College Edition v3.7 CD-ROM, 4/E

Grading System:
A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59

Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the Sun’s structure, compositions, energy source and its mechanism, surface phenomena, and connection to Earth.
Describe the property of stars and star clusters, patterns in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the life cycle of a star about star birth, evolution and death, and how mass of star determines its fate.
Describe the consequences of stellar life, the star’s basic properties and structure, and evolution of galaxies.
Describe the structure and motion and history of our galaxy, Milky Way galaxy, and the various techniques used by astronomers to determine the distance.
Describe the dark matter and dark energy, structure formation and fate of the universe, and the large cosmological model.
Retrace the origin of life on earth, and describe efforts in the search for life elsewhere in the universe.
Use computer software to identify celestial objects and simulate celestial movements.

For SCC Online Courses:
If the course you are taking is online, please review the SCC Online Policies that include:

Required materials for all online courses
Mandatory Attendance Requirement
Proctored Exams

Face Covering Requirements:
All faculty, staff and students must wear a face mask/covering at all times (absent a medical condition) on all SCC campuses when safe social distancing measures are not possible or difficult to follow. For further details, refer to the Student Guidelines for Face Coverings and Social Distancing on the SCC Coronavirus COVID-19 Information page.

Standard SCC Course Policies:
Please review the Standard SCC Course Polices on the following topics:

Academic Integrity
Academic Misconduct
Add/Drop period
Appeals Process
Class Attendance
Classroom Behavior (traditional and online)
Classroom Conduct/Expectations
Lab Procedures (general SCC policy regarding this)
Online Confidentiality
Services For Students with Disabilities
Withdrawal Policy

Official Course Syllabus
2020-2021