Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convener
Joanne Dawson
E6B 2.603
Lecturer
Angel Lopez Sanchez
E6B 2.207
Lecturer
Devika Kamath
Junior Convener
Christina Baldwin
Lab Manager
Adam Joyce
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This is a foundation unit in astronomy, suitable for aspiring physicists/astronomers and non-scientists alike. No prior knowledge of astronomy or physics is required. This unit gives a broad underpinning of basic astronomical subjects and concepts with minimal mathematical content. A diverse range of astronomical topics are covered, starting with the solar system, including comets and asteroids; and then increasing in scale to Galactic stars, nebulae, the interstellar medium, our own Milky Way galaxy, galaxy clusters, quasars, black holes and basic cosmology. Key fundamental physical principles, theories and observational technologies are covered. Experimental work is both hands-on and computer based, and covers such areas as galaxy classification, eclipses, spectroscopy and geometrical optics. A session at the Macquarie University Observatory forms a recommended part of the practical work.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessments received after the deadline will be subject to a 10% deduction for each day, or part-day, late. (So, e.g. 0–24 hours late = 10% deduction; 24–48 hours late = 20% deduction, etc). Work will not be accepted more than 5 days (120 hours) after the due date and time.
Note: extensions to due dates may be granted if a Disruption to Studies is submitted and approved.
See https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration/disruption-to-studies
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Assignments | 20% | No | See below |
Essay | 10% | No | Friday 5 May 5pm |
Labs | 30% | No | See below |
Exam | 40% | No | University Examination Period |
Due: See below
Weighting: 20%
There will be five (5) assignments on the concepts covered in the lectures. Two (2) will be online quizzes and three (3) will consist of short-answer questions. Each assignment will be weighted at 4%. One of the assignments will require observing the sky at night. Assignments must be submitted on iLearn. The due dates are:
Due: Friday 5 May 5pm
Weighting: 10%
A 1000-1500 word essay addressing the question below is to be submitted electronically via iLearn. It must be typed.
In this assignment your task is to discuss the ethics, social responsibility and perceived value of pure astronomical research in today’s world. For example, should there always be a commercial expectation of government funded research?
Marking will based on the following, equally-weighted criteria:
Due: See below
Weighting: 30%
Each student must attend five (5) practical sessions and complete five (5) laboratory exercises starting in Week 5. The lab assessment is based on in-lab work only.
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 40%
A two-hour final exam consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions will take place in the university exam period. No material will be allowed in the exam room.
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available for the week of July 24 – 28, 2017. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Lectures are automatically recorded and will be available on iLearn, along with the lecture slides.
The lab is located in E7B 209-213. Each student is required to sign up for one of the following lab streams:
In Week 2 we will hold special planetarium sessions during the labs. Normal labs start in Week 5.
A mandatory lab notebook will be available from the bookstore after Week 3.
Please note that health and safety regulations specify that fully-enclosed footwear must be worn in the labs. (i.e. you will not be admitted if you are wearing sandals etc.)
The lectures are based upon the following textbook, which is not absolutely required for the course, but is strongly recommended to enhance the learning process:
This can be purchased from the Macquarie bookstore. Earlier editions of the textbook are acceptable.
Week | Lecturer | Topic | Textbook Chapters |
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1 | J. Dawson | Introduction, the night sky and celestial motions, moon phases & eclipses | 1, 2, 3 |
2 | J. Dawson | Origins of modern astronomy, gravity, light & atoms (1) | 4, 5, 7 |
3 | J. Dawson | Light & atoms (2), telescopes, the Sun | 7, 6, 8 |
4 | J. Dawson | Introduction to the stars, the interstellar medium | 9, 10 |
5 | J. Dawson | Star formation, stellar structure and evolution | 11, 12 |
6 | J. Dawson | Stellar death, supernovae, neutron stars & black holes | 13, 14 |
7 | A. Lopez-Sanchez | The Earth, Moon and terrestrial planets | 20, 21, 22 |
8 | A. Lopez-Sanchez | The gas giants, dwarf planets, meteorites, asteroids & comets | 23, 24, 25 |
9 | A. Lopez-Sanchez | Origin of the solar system, extra-solar planets | 19 |
10 | D. Kamath | Life in the Universe, The Milky Way Galaxy | 26, 15 |
11 | D. Kamath | Galaxies, active galaxies & supermassive black holes | 16, 17 |
12 | D. Kamath | Modern cosmology | 18 |
13 | All | Revision Week |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by: