ASTR 102 Introduction to Astronomy

School of University Arts and Sciences

Intended for students not majoring in science, ASTR 102 Introduction to Astronomy is an overview of our present knowledge of the Universe, including the solar system, stars, supernovae, black holes, galaxies, quasars, gamma-ray bursters, dark matter, and cosmology. Some of the tools of astronomy, including telescopes and spectroscopes, will also be studied. Laboratory sessions involving some indoor experiments and weather-dependent outdoor observations will be held on alternate weeks. The laboratory may satisfy the science lab requirement for Arts programs. This course may be given elective credit for a degree in Astronomy.

Prerequisites: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%.

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Nobctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours67.5
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3
Other3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. The apparent nightly and seasonal motions of the sun, the moon, the planets, and the stars in terms of the actual motions of Earth, the Moon, and the planets
  2. How the relative motions of Earth, the Sun, and the Moon lead to eclipses
  3. The contributions of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton to our present understanding of the solar system
  4. The nature and origin of electromagnetic radiation, and how this radiation is analyzed to determine properties of celestial objects
  5. The tools of astronomers, especially telescopes (including those exploiting nonvisible radiation) and spectroscopes
  6. The general orbital and physical properties of each planet in the solar system, as well as lesser components such as asteroids, comets, and meteoroids
  7. The presently accepted theory of the formation of the solar system, and how this accounts for observed features of the solar system
  8. The process by which energy is produced in the interior of the Sun and other stars
  9. How stellar distances are determined
  10. The Hertzsprung – Russell diagram
  11. The interstellar medium
  12. Evolution of stars of various masses
  13. Novae and supernovae
  14. Neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes
  15. The structure and properties of the Milky Way Galaxy
  16. Techniques for estimating the masses and distances of galaxies
  17. Hubble’s Law
  18. Active galaxies and quasars
  19. Current evolutionary models of the Universe

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
  DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.