GO130 Astronomy

for S1Z 2013

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GO 130 Astronomy


S1Z 2013 ML


Hansen, William B.


Senior Adjunct Instructor


BA. Geology - Augustana College-Illinois 1976
MS Mining Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison 1979

Office Location

Before and After Class

Office Hours

Before and After Class

Daytime Phone


Other Phone





Semester Dates

January 15 - March 10

Class Days


Class Time

7:45 - 10:15 PM

Credit Hours



Universe -- Freedman, Geller, Kaufmann III -- Ninth Ed
ISBN: 978-1-4292-3153-4

Textbooks can be purchased through the MBS bookstore

Textbooks can be purchased through the Parkville Bookstore

Additional Resources:


Course Description:
GO130 Astronomy (MGE): This course will study the complexities of the universe. It will examine the physical, chemical and meteorological, and geological aspects of the universe, including planets, suns, asteroids, and nebulas. 3:3:4

Educational Philosophy:
The instructor's educational philosphy is an interactive learning experience utilizing readings, lectures, class discussions, videos, exams, and writing assignments.

Learning Outcomes:
  Core Learning Outcomes

  1. Define and predict celestial phenomena.
  2. Compute orbits of planets and stars and sizes of black holes.
  3. Calculate possible atmospheres around planets and structures and compositions of stars, planets and nebula.
  4. Apply the scientific method to various ideas on space to show how ideas are tested and verified.

  Instructor Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe the tools--instruments and laws of nature--that astronomers use to understand the heavens and, using proper terminology, explain planetary orbits, the seasons, and moon phases.
  2. Explain how the planets and major moons formed and developed, and have come to have the composition, internal structures and atmospheres they currently have, giving special consideration to conditions suitable for developing and/or sustaining life.
  3. Explain how stars are powered and how they evolove; analyze the evidence that supports these claims.
  4. Describe how matter is currently distributed throughout the universe (from galaxy types to larger scale structures), explain how it got that way, and analyze the evidence that supports these claims.
Core Assessment:

Class Assessment:
Assessment will be via a midterm, final exam, weekly astronomy reports, portfolio assignment and class participation.

The Core Assessment for this course will be the Portfolio assignment and is worth 20% of the final grade. For the portfolio assignment, the student will select up to two assignments, quizzes, lab reports, weekly reports, tests that the student believes demonstrates that they have achieved mastery of the course's Core Learning Outcomes. For each outcome the student will write a reflection paper explaining why those particular assignments, quizzes, lab reports, or tests were selected and how they demonstrate the mastery of the outcome in question. Points will be given for creativity and analysis. This is one way for the student to take control of their own grade in this course.



17.5% Classwork & Homework - 175 points

25% Midterm - 250 points

20% Portfolio (Core Assessment) - 200 points

25% Final -250 points

12.5% Class Participation - 125 points


Late Submission of Course Materials:
Late assignments must be turned in at the next class meeting unless other arrangements are made with the Instructor. Students must speak with the Instructor about these arrangements. Classes missed for legitimate reasons (Air Force duties) are excusable. However the student will be held responsible for making up the missed work and must be coordinated with the Instructor.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:
Students are expected to be respectful as is typical of a college classroom during lectures and not engage of discussions with classmates during class. However, questions during the lecture are encouraged and will be counted towards the class partcipation grade. Class misconduct will be dealt with on an individual basis. Cell phones will be on silent or vibrate, unless student is on call for work.

Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:

Week 1 -- Chps 1-3
Week 2 -- Chps 4-6,
Week 3 -- Chps 9-11
Week 4 -- Midterm exam, Chapter 12-14
Week 5 -- Chp 15-16
Week 6 -- Chp 17-18
Week 7 -- Chp 19-20
Week 8 -- Chp 21, Final Exam

Academic Honesty:


Attendance Policy:


Park University 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Page 98

Disability Guidelines:

Additional Information:
Week Report assignments will be based on a current Astronomy news article of the student's choosing, two pages long, and double-spaced. Three quarters of the article will be a discussion in the student's own words of the contents of the article. The last paragraph will be the student's opinion of the article or the significance of the article to the science of Astronomy.


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Last Updated:12/11/2012 3:32:28 PM