ASTR 205 is a three-credit, introductory-level course designed to
describe the Universe as we now understand it.
explain how our current understanding came about.
show how the scientific method forms the basis for both the tools and the theories of astronomy.
Outline
Part 1 The Sky—This unit describes the cosmos and traces the history of our attempts to understand it, including the tools developed to help us do so.
Part 2 The Stars—This unit describes light and how it carries information to us. It discusses what we have learned about the structure of stars and how they form, age, and die.
Part 3 The Universe of Galaxies—This unit describes how stars group together into galaxies, how galaxies are themselves distributed, and how we think this entire cosmic structure began and may end.
Part 4 The Solar System—This unit describes the characteristics and origins of the planets and other bodies in our solar system.
Part 5 Life—This unit discusses the possibility of life elsewhere.
Evaluation
To receive credit for ASTR 205, you must achieve a course composite mark of at least a D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
10%
Multiple-choice Quiz 1
10%
Multiple-choice Quiz 2
10%
Short-answer Quizzes (4 x 5%)
20%
Final Exam
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Seeds, Michael A. and Backman, Dana E. Horizons: Exploring the Universe, 13th ed. Boston, MA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2014 (eText)
Cusano, Denise, Levine, Joel M., and Sibbernsen, Kendra. Course Student Guide for Astronomy: Observations & Theories, 5th ed. Boston, MA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2014. (Audio/Video)
The course materials also include a spectrum viewer. Supplementary video lessons are available as streaming videos through the course website. Alternatively, the videos can be borrowed as DVDs from the Athabasca UniversityLibrary.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ASTR 205 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.