Course Content and Outcome Guide for PHY 123

Course Number:
PHY 123
Course Title:
Elementary Astronomy
Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lecture/Lab Hours:
Lab Hours:
Special Fee:

Course Description

Introduction to star clusters, the contents of our galaxy; other galaxies, including active galaxies, and cosmology. Algebra recommended. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This course will utilize as many of the following components as possible:  lecture, discussion, lab activities, telescope viewing session, videos, slides, CDs, and computer aided instruction. It is necessary to successfully complete the lab part of the course in order to pass the class.

The text and materials for this class have been chosen by the faculty, and the viewpoint shall be that of the author(s). This includes the topics of relativity, the geologic time scale, and the evolution of the Earth, our solar system, our galaxy, and the universe.


Intended Outcomes for the course

1) Use an understanding of our galaxy to contrast and compare it with other galaxies as to type, contents, age, luminosity, motion, and size.
2) Use cosmological models to analyze the size, age, structure, and motion of the universe overall.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

(note:  topics may be chosen in any order by the instructor) 

  1. telescopes of various types and designs.
  2. open and globular clusters of stars and main-sequence fitting.
  3. the contents of our galaxy and the local group of galaxies.
  4. the dark matter issue and possible solutions and implications.
  5. clusters of galaxies and large scale structure of the universe, and active galaxies (AGNs)
  6. Cosmological models, the universal expansion, and parameters including distances and ages.
  7. elementary particle physics and relativity.
  8. Topics in the history of astronomy may be included by the instructor.