WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Course Syllabus
Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology

Course: PHYS 253 (001) – Astronomy      Course Schedule  

Semester: Summer-D 2021         
Credit hours: 3                                                     

Online Instruction                      

 
Professor: Dr. Ponn Maheswaranathan (Mahes).
Virtual Office Hours: M,W 11AM-12:30PM or T,R 9-10 PM, (Web Link), or by appointment.
Cell Phone: 803-504-9399
E-mail: mahesp@winthrop.edu

Textbook: Astronomy, by OpenStax, Free Online Textbook.
https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy

Course Description:
A descriptive astronomy course for the liberal arts student covering the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology.

Course Objectives:

University-Level Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.
Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.

PHYS253 primarily develop students in the first University Competency, Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. Some (but not all) of the ways that this competency is strengthened in PHYS253 include extensive quantitative problem solving, explanation of mechanisms of actions for physical systems in the universe, and the application of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics, and astronomy to predict various outcomes of physical situations in the universe. 

General Education Natural Science Objectives:

Listed below are the fundamental student learning objectives (1 and 2,3,4,5,7) for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be fulfilled in PHYS 253.
Upon completing this course, students will be

1. Conversant with the following astronomy concepts: solar system, interaction between matter & light, Doppler shift, electromagnetic spectrum, Wien’s law, the Sun, stellar evolution, galaxies & galactic evolution, Hubble’s law, and cosmology.

2. Able to apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g., Students will be able to explain why the geocentric model was rejected and replaced by the heliocentric model and why the Big Bang Model was replaced by the Steady State Model for the origin of the universe).

3. Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. Students will clearly understand the power and limitations of science while they learn about the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Using physics, they can explain planetary motion, stellar evolution, the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. They will also be able to see the limitations of trying to study the whole universe form a distance. They will realize that there are many issues and phenomena in astronomy with no definite answer. For example, where does all the matter and energy we detect in the universe come from? What is dark matter and energy that is supposed to constitute 95% of the universe? How did life begin on Earth?

4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery. Astronomy is the oldest and the most contemporary science. Students will learn the knowledge of scientific discovery from pre-historic to Babylonian and Egyptian, the Ancient Greek to Modern Europe, and now the work being done by observatories around the world, universities and organizations such as NASA.

5. Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science operates. They will able to discuss social and ethical contexts; (e.g. Are funds spent on space exploration justifiable? We live on the only planet that has an environment we and other living beings can strive in. Students will immediately see how Venus suffers from greenhouse effect and acid rain, Mars suffers from draught and dust storms etc. Comparative study of the planets enables students to appreciate the Earth and then see the consequences of global warming and acid rain at other planets).

7. Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social sciences and to non-scientific disciplines. Students will be able to discuss how knowledge of astronomy has been useful in everyday life from pre- historic times to now. Students are able to discuss how astronomy helps drive our technology and scientific knowledge forward as we explore the vast physical universe.

Writing Component: 
The General Education Writing Component will be incorporated into this course by requiring the following writing assignment of at least 10 pages:
a. Discussion forums where students will post their comprehension on topics and comment on others postings.
b. Video reviews for assigned videos in Astronomy.
c. Essay questions on mid-term and final.    

Attendance and Participation:
The attendance policy described in the Winthrop University undergraduate catalog will be followed. Students are encouraged to follow all the lectures and to actively take part in classroom activities. Regular attendance and good participation efforts will help in the final letter grade assignment for borderline cases.

Homework:
Chapter sections and videos are assigned for each lecture. It is important that you read the chapter and follow the lectures. After that you need to contribute to discussions in Blackboard. Homework will also be administered using Blackboard. Get help when needed.     

Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access:
Winthrop University is committed to providing accessible learning experiences and equal access to education for all students. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. If you are a student with a disability (including mental health concerns, chronic or temporary medical conditions, learning disabilities, etc.) and you anticipate or experience academic barriers due to the condition, please contact The Office of Accessibility (OA) for information on accommodations, registration, and procedures. After receiving approval for accommodations through OA, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so that they may be implemented in a timely manner.
OA contact information: accessibility@winthrop.edu; 803-323-3290; 307 Bancroft Hall Annex.

 
Winthrop’s Academic Success Center:
Winthrop’s Academic Success Center (ASC) is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically.  The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching.  The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.  Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu. 
For more information on ASC services, please visit https://www.winthrop.edu/asc/.

Winthrop’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) identifies and assists highly motivated and talented students to apply for nationally and internationally competitive awards, scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad. ONCA gathers and disseminates award information and deadlines across the campus community, and serves as a resource for students, faculty, and staff throughout the nationally competitive award nomination and application process. ONCA is located in Dinkins 222B. Please fill out an online information form at the bottom of the ONCA webpage and email onca@winthrop.edu for more information.

Student Conduct Code: 
The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in https://www.winthrop.edu/academicintegrity/.

Syllabus change policy: 
The instructor will make changes to this syllabus as deemed necessary for the progression of the course.

Tests & Final: A midterm test (30%) and a comprehensive final (40%) are scheduled as follows. Homework (Discussions, questions, and problems in Blackboard) will carry 30%.

Points & Grade:
The letter grade will be assigned as follows:  
100% - 90% = A     89% - 87% = A-    86% - 84% = B+    83% - 80% = B    79% - 77% = B-   
    76%-74% = C+   73% - 67% = C     66% - 64% = C-     63%-60% = D      59%- 0% = F