Student Learning Outcomes for Astronomy
Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes
ASTR 1303 Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and the Scientific Method.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic laws of physics that apply to the study of the Universe.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic properties of celestial objects, and how those properties are determined.
Demonstrate knowledge of the different stages in a star's development, including its birth, life, and death.
Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of galaxies, and how those properties originate.
Demonstrate knowledge of the hierarchical structure of the Universe, from multiple star systems to the Universe as a whole.
Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of the expansion of the Universe, and what that expansion tells us about the past, present, and future of the Universe.
ASTR 1304 Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and the Scientific Method.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic laws of physics that pertain to the study of the bodies of the solar system.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the terrestrial planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the jovian planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
Demonstrate understanding of the differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets, and of how those differences came to be.
Demonstrate understanding of the properties of the smaller bodies of the solar system.
Demonstrate knowledge of the current best scientific explanation of the origin and evolution of the solar system.
Demonstrate knowledge of recent discoveries about extrasolar planetary systems.
ASTR 1403 Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and the Scientific Method.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic laws of physics that apply to the study of the Universe.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic properties of celestial objects, and how those properties are determined.
Demonstrate knowledge of the different stages in a star's development, including its birth, life, and death.
Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of galaxies, and how those properties originate.
Demonstrate knowledge of the hierarchical structure of the Universe, from multiple star systems to the Universe as a whole.
Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of the expansion of the Universe, and what that expansion tells us about the past, present, and future of the Universe.
Use simple astronomical observations of the night sky to measure the properties of celestial objects, and use that data to produce charts and graphs and solve problems.
ASTR 1404 Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and the Scientific Method.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic laws of physics that pertain to the study of the bodies of the solar system.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the terrestrial planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the jovian planets, and demonstrate understanding of the causes of their similarities and differences.
Demonstrate understanding of the differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets, and of how those differences came to be.
Demonstrate understanding of the properties of the smaller bodies of the solar system.
Demonstrate knowledge of the current best scientific explanation of the origin and evolution of the solar system.
Demonstrate knowledge of recent discoveries about extrasolar planetary systems.
Use simple astronomical observations of the night sky to measure the properties of celestial objects, and use that data to produce charts and graphs and solve problems.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:
Critical Thinking
Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.
Interpersonal Skills
Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning
Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
Technology Skills
Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.