Catalog Course Description
ASTR 116 C INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY 
3 Units.  Three hours lecture per week.  Credit/No Credit/Letter Grade Option
UC Credit Limitation/CSU, AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC
This course is an introduction to the ideas and concepts, and theories of astronomy. Topics include the night sky, history of astronomy, the solar system, extra solar planets, stars and the interstellar medium, galaxies and cosmology, and extraterrestrial life in the universe. Visits to local observatories and planetaria may be arranged. High School Algebra or equivalent is recommended. Duplicate credit not granted for ASTR 116HC.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will have an understanding of, or be able to apply the following principles
and concepts:

• Sketch the structures of the major objects in the universe, including comets, planets, stars, and galaxies.
• Describe the astronomical techniques of measuring distance, velocity, temperature, brightness, composition,
  etc., of the stars and galaxies.
• Explain the major physical processes that operate in the cosmos, including planetary and stellar evolution.
• Describe the formation of the Solar System with 70% accuracy.
• Describe how light is used to determine stellar properties with 70% accuracy.
• Describe the formation and evolution of stars with 70% accuracy.
• Describe environmental conditions on other planets, including atmosphere, temperature, terrain, and the
  possibility of life.
• Explain the major concepts of modern physics, including Newtonian physics, relativity, and quantum mechanics,
  and their bearing on our understanding of the universe.
• Evaluate and compare the latest competing theories about:
• the origin of the universe
• the formation of galaxies
• the nature of black holes and neutron stars
• Formulate new hypotheses concerning the unsolved question of our time, including:
• the origin of cosmic rays
• the missing neutrino problem
• the nature of Dark Matter in space
• the nature of Dark Matter in space
• Distinguish between true science and pseudo-science, such as Vellikovsky, Von Daniken, Astrology, etc;
• Relate the stories of the more dramatic astronomical discoveries, including the discovery of neutron stars, quasars,
  and the cosmic background radiation.
• Interpret the appearance of the sky in terms of understandable analogies.
  

Course Requirements
Students should have Internet access to view the on-line course. Username and password will be provided to each student once he/she registers for the course. Please also note that your internet browser needs to have Adobe Flash plugin installed to view some animations and flashcards. Your browser should automatically detect and prompt your permsission to install. However, if you need to install them manually, you can go to http://www.google.com and type in "Adobe Flash" to search for the particular plugin. The first or second result should point you to the installation page. You can also visit the following link to test and install any missing plugin(s) required for this course: http://matcmadison.edu/plugins

Availability of On-campus Resources
The Computer laboratory located on the first floor of the Library/Learning Resource Center (LLRC) is available to students. This lab has computers with common applications such as word processing and Internet access. The lab fee is already included in the registration fees. Please check with the lab for operating hours. For student services available to Cypress students (both on-campus and online), please go to www.cypresscollege.edu and click on the “student Services” link. You can also click on the “instructional Services” link where you will find information about, Computer Labs, Library, and Learning Center and Writing Center.

Tips for Online Success
The successful online student is independent, self-motivated, willing to learn in isolation, a good communicator, good with written instructions, and aware of technology as a convenience and a barrier. For more tips go to: http://cypresscollege.edu/academics/DistanceEducation

Exams
There are two exams. Each exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions.

Surveys, Assignments, Quizzes
For this course math and memorization of facts are not the goals.  I emphasize the understanding of processes and the development of critical thinking skills. You should plan to spend at least three hours of study for each hour of class-equivalence each week. There are online surveys, online assignments, and online quizzes that should be submitted by due dates. Please refer to Course Schedule for more information about the due date.

There are multiple choice quizzes, each relating to the chapters in the textbook. The multiple choice quizzes are opened throughout the semester and remain open until the end of the semester. Each quiz typically has about fifteen questions. There is no time limit on the quiz. It can be saved and resume later. You are allowed only ONE attempt per multiple choice quiz. To take the quizzes, you need to go to "Assignments" section of Blackboard.

There are also tutorial quizzes, flashcard matching quizzes, and image quizzes. These assignments are opened throughout the semester and remain open until the end of the semester. There is no time limit on these assignments. They can be saved and resume later. You are allowed multiple attempts for these assignments. To take them, you need to go to "Assignments" section of Blackboard.

Blackboard Login

- To login goto: http://cypresscollege.blackboard.com
- Your username is your 8 digit Cypress College ID beginning with @. Example: @00001234.
- If you are taking another online course and you have changed your password, then try that first.
- Your initial password if you are a new user is the same password you self-selected in Webstar/MyGateway. If you have previously used Blackboard such as last year your password remains the same.
- Select ASTR116 then click on the “Assignments” icon.
- Select Personal Information and input your email address.
- For Blackboard help select Help at top after you login.

If you cannot login, try the following:
1. Restart your computer and connect to the internet.
2. Use a different browser. See below.
3. In Internet Explorer, select Tools -> Internet Options -> Security -> Advanced -> Restore Defaults.
4. Try a friend's computer or a campus pc. You may use the computers at the library (LLRC).
5. If you have a firewall, it may not allow Blackboard to work. So disable it or connect from another location.
6. If none of these work, see me during class.

Grading

Policies and Procedures
a) There will be no make-up tests without the proof of a legitimate excuse.
b) Exams and assignments are due as indicated in the Course Scheudle.
c) Students are responsible for course withdrawal. Failure to do so will result in a course grade of “F”
d) During class meetings, no food or drink will be allowed in the classroom. Pagers and cell phones must be turned off while class is in session.
e) Respect your teacher and classmates.  Go outside to talk.
f) It is recommended that you use the latest edition. However, for students on limited budget, I will also accept the previous edition.

Academic Honesty Policy
Each student in the class is expected to do his or her own work. You may work together to solve the assigned case problems, but each of you must complete your own work. Any attempt to cheat on the class assignments and/or the class tests will result in zero points for everyone involved, and most possibly a grade of “F” for the course.

Student Grievances
If you have any problems with the online course including your grade please contact me first. Usually problems are resolved through mutual communication. In case you feel the problem is not resolved you can contact the department chair Dr. Ron Armale via. E-mail: rarmale@cypresscollege.edu. For further information please refer to Online FAQ page on the distance education web page of the Cypress College web site: www.cypresscollege.edu/~online

Academic Advising/Counseling
Please refer to the counseling link on the Cypress College home page www.cypresscollege.edu to get information related to the resources and services offered by the Counseling and Student Development Division. For counseling appointments for on-line students please refer to the student services link on the distance education web page of the Cypress College web site: www.cypresscollege.edu/~online

Cypress College Library Learning Resources
The library web page provides access to an online catalog listing the library holdings from Cypress, Fullerton, Golden West, Orange Coast, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal State Long Beach. Students need their campus ID card to check out books from the library.

Tutoring
Cypress College offers tutoring through e-mail! Responses to questions take 24 hours or less, Monday through Friday. For on-line tutoring please refer to the student services link on the distance education web page of the Cypress College web site: www.cypresscollege.edu/~online

Course Schedule

• Dishonesty, such as cheating and flagarism, or knowingly furnishing false information.
• Forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records or identification.
• Obstruction or disruption of classes, administration, disciplinary procedures, or authorized College activities.
• Assault or battery, abuse, or any threat of force or violence directed toward any member of the College
  Community or campus visitor engaged in authorized activities.
  

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