PHYS 131 (Face-to-face, Section 001)
Survey of the Universe
Fall 2019-2020
Course Description:
Physics course descriptions, credit hours, and enrollment restrictions can be found
at this
link. "Survey of the Universe" provides an overview of modern astronomy, including the scientific method; telescopes; stars and star clusters; stellar evolution; galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe; and the Big Bang. It also includes visits to a local observatory.
This quarter the class will be divided into roughly equal-length periods for each of four
major Units:
- Basic Astronomy and the Nighttime Sky: gravity; seasons; phases of the Moon & eclipses; the night sky & constellations; properties of light, spectroscopy; telescopes
- The Solar System: properties of the planets in our Solar System, including the Earth and its Moon, as well as moons of other planets; laws of planetary motion; formation of the solar system
- Stars: the Sun & properties of stars (how they work, mass, luminosity, temperature, color); stellar birth and death; white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes
- Galaxies and Cosmology: structure and composition of the Milky Way Galaxy, including star clusters, nebulae, and stellar remnants; different types and sizes of galaxies; galaxy evolution; dark matter & dark energy; the Big Bang & history of the Universe
Course Purpose:
"Survey of the Universe" is just that--a broad-brush course covering topics from seasons and lunar phases to stars to galaxies to the history of the universe--essentially all of astronomy in 10 weeks! This is a three-credit elective course that is not required for any major or minor. While it is designed for students that might not take another science course at Drexel, it also is appropriate for STEM students. It is what many other universities would call "Astronomy 101" (except that students get the added bonus of having a physics course on their transcript!). Ultimately the purpose is to give students an understanding of how application of the Scientific Method has enabled humankind to learn about the universe from near to far.
This quarter's face-to-face course is a one-time offering "hybrid" class designed follow the traditional lecture format of PHYS 131 while engaging students in an investigation of astronomy in a more active way (using a video game as the "textbook") so that they will achieve a greater understanding and to convey the idea that astronomy has relevance to many people, through appreciation of beauty of astronomical objects.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for PHYS 131.
Expected Learning Outcomes:
This course will address the Drexel Learning Priorities: Communication, Critical Thinking, Information
Literacy, Self-Directed Learning, and Technology Use. In addition to the detailed learning outcomes, upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- describe the position of the Earth in the Universe, in orbit around the Sun which is one of many stars traveling around the center of the Milky Way galaxy that is one of billions and billions of galaxies in the Universe;
- describe why the Sun shines and why stars come in different colors;
- give a brief history of the universe from the beginning of the Big Bang expansion to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets;
- to be able to describe the basic properties of the planets in the Solar System and their moons;
- to understand the motions of our Sun, Moon, and stars in the sky over the course of days, months, and years;
- to be able to remember three things that are relevant and important about astronomy ten years down the line;
- to understand and have interest in newspaper and magazine articles on astronomy written for the public.
Course Materials:
Required Text: There is no required text -- all material is provided in the "video game" developed by our colleagues at the Pennsylvania State University. You will download a standalone game program for $80 (which is less than the cost of the traditional textbook and other online course materials). Please sign up using your Drexel e-mail (e.g., xyz123@drexel.edu).
Required Technologies: Students will need a computer that can run the video game, according to these system requirements.
Assignments and Assessments:
Requirement Summary:
- Attend all of the lectures and participate in class discussions.
- Complete all the parts of the four video game "Units" by their due dates. The Units are divided into 2-3 "Parts" each, and there will be intermediate deadlines for completing each Part (end of the day for the last scheduled lecture for each part).
- Take three of the four mid-term Unit tests (in class); taking all four is strongly recommended, and your best three scores will count towards the final grade.
- Attend a local telescope open house event and write a half-page summary of your experience (submitted through Blackboard).
- Take the final exam (in class, during exam week).
Lecture:
We will meet for lecture twice a week for 1 1/2
hours. Lecture material will be derived from more traditional textbooks to supplement the video game activities; however, no textbook is required. In-class activities (1-2 per lecture) during the lecture will be part of your participation grade (and will count 5% of your final grade). To receive credit for attendance and class participation we will be using Socrative. The classroom ID will be RICHARDS. Logging in from home or for another person will result in a 0 class participation grade for the quarter. However, you will be allowed to miss 2 lectures without any penalty.
Homework:
The weekly "homework" is to complete the online assignments as indicated by the course schedule below
Telescope Visit:
Students are required to gain practical experience by observing through a telescope once during the quarter. For example at one of the open house nights offered in the Philadelphia (or locally for students outside of the region) as noted below.
Grade Scale:
The guaranteed grading boundaries (i.e., you will receive at least this grade if you have this final average) are >93.0% A; >90.0% A-; >87.0% B+; >83.0% B; >80.0% B-; >77.0% C+; >70.0% C; >60.0% D.
Grade Rubric:
- 2% of the course grade from the initial (first time) scores on the inline quizzes from Copper the robot for each unit = 8% total
- and another 2% based on best scores of the Copper quizzes for each unit = 8% total
- 18% for each of the three highest (of four) unit exams = 54% total for unit exams
- 5% for attending (and writing a summary of) a telescope open house event
- 5% for attendance and class participation
- 20% for the cumulative final exam
Acadmic Policies:
Students are expected to be familiar with Drexel's policies on
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, Dishonesty and Cheating: www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
Course Adding/Dropping: drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-add-drop/ and
Course Withdrawal: drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-withdrawal.
Students may not copy one another's work. This is considered cheating
and will be dealt with in the following manner. The first infraction
will result in a zero for all parties involved. The second infraction
will result in an F for the course and a report to the office of
academic affairs.
Student with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at
Drexel University need to present a current accommodation verification
letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVL's are
issued by the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED). For additional
information, contact OED
at drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/,
3225 Arch St., Suite 011, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215.895.1401 (V), or
215.895.2299 (TTY).
For Health and Counseling needs, students can find further information at
drexel.edu/counselingandhealth/student-health-center/overview/
drexel.edu/counselingandhealth/counseling-center/overview/
Finally, changes to the parameters of the course may need to be made during
the quarter. In the case of such events, students will be notified by
the instructor through their official Drexel e-mail.
Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change!)
| Week (Day) |
Assignment |
Link |
| 1 (9/24) |
Introduction, Download/Test Video Game |
|
| 1 (9/26) |
Unit 1, Part 1 Lecture |
|
| 2 (10/1) |
Unit 1, Part 2 Lecture |
|
| 2 (10/3) |
Unit 1, Part 3 Lecture |
|
| 3 (10/8) |
Unit 1 Test |
Review Unit 1 Encyclopedia |
| 3 (10/10) |
Unit 2, Part 1 and Part 2a Lecture |
|
| 4 (10/15) |
Unit 2, Part 2b Lecture |
|
| 4 (10/17) |
Unit 2, Part 3 Lecture |
|
| 5 (10/22) |
Instructor away at conference |
|
| 5 (10/24) |
Instructor away at conference |
|
| 6 (10/29) |
Unit 2 Test |
Review Unit 2 Encyclopedia |
| 6 (10/31) |
Unit 3, Part 1 Lecture |
|
| 7 (11/5) |
Unit 3, Part 2 and Part 3a Lecture |
|
| 7 (11/7) |
Unit 3, Part 3b Lecture |
|
| 8 (11/12) |
In-Class Game Play |
|
| 8 (11/14) |
Unit 3 Test |
Review Unit 3 Encyclopedia |
| 9 (11/19) |
Unit 4, Part 1a |
|
| 9 (11/22) |
Unit 4, Part 1b |
|
| 10 (11/26) |
Unit 4, Part 2a |
|
| 10 (11/28) |
Thanksgiving |
|
| 11 (12/3) |
Unit 4, Part 2b |
|
| 11 (12/5) |
Unit 4 Test |
Review Unit 4 Encyclopedia |
| Exam Week (12/9-13) |
Final Exam, Thurs. 12 Dec., 10-30-12:30, Stratton 113 (or online) |
Covers material from Units 1-4 |
Last Modified: 23 September 2019