Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Matt Owers
E6B 2.703
Lecturer
Devika Kotachery
Laboratory Manager
Adam Joyce
Devika Kotachery
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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 |
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Assignment 1 - Short Questions | 5% | No | 5/04/19 |
Assignment 2 - Quiz | 5% | No | 31/05/19 |
Assignment 3 - Observatory | 10% | No | 07/06/19 |
Labs | 30% | Yes | See below |
Exam | 50% | No | University Examination Period |
Due: 5/04/19
Weighting: 5%
This assignment will consist of short-answer questions. Assignments must be submitted on iLearn. The due date is 5pm Friday 5th April 2019.
Due: 31/05/19
Weighting: 5%
This assignment will be an online quiz. The assignments must be submitted on iLearn. The due date is 5pm Friday 31st of May 2019.
Due: 07/06/19
Weighting: 10%
This assignment will require observing the sky at night. Assignments must be submitted on iLearn. The due date is 5pm Friday 7th June 2019.
Due: See below
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
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. The lab schedule is presented below (see 'Delivery and Resources').
Attendance at labs is a hurdle requirement. You must attend at least 5 lab sessions to have the potential to pass the unit.
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
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 receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the week of July 15-26 2019. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.
Lectures are automatically recorded and will be available on iLearn, along with the lecture slides. Lectures will also be live streamed. The following link provides all information on lecture recordings and live streaming.
The labs will be held in E7B (14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue) rooms 213 and 209 (enter through 213). Students are required to do 5 labs, but have the option of doing a 6th (which they can do in the extra week). Only marks from the best 5 labs will be counted. The lab schedule is as follows:
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Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 |
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Week 8 |
Week 9 |
Week 10 |
Week 11 |
Week 12 |
Monday (10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm) |
Lab 1 |
Lab 2 |
Lab 3 |
Mid Semester Break |
Lab 4 |
Lab 5 |
Extra Week |
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Tuesday (10am-12pm) |
Lab 1 |
Lab 2 |
Lab 3 |
Lab 4 |
Lab 5 |
Extra Week |
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Wednesday (10am-12pm) |
Lab 1 |
Lab 2 |
Lab 3 |
Lab 4 |
Lab 5 |
Extra Week |
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Thursday (11am-1pm) |
Lab 1 |
Lab 2 |
Lab 3 |
Lab 4 |
Lab 5 |
Extra Week |
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Friday (10am-12pm and 3pm-5pm) |
Lab 1 |
Lab 2 |
Lab3 |
Lab 4 |
Lab 5 |
Extra Week |
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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.)
In Week 2 we will hold special planetarium sessions during the labs.
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:
Earlier editions of the textbook are acceptable.
Week | Lecturer | Topic | Textbook Chapters |
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1 | M. Owers | Introduction, the night sky and celestial motions, moon phases & eclipses | 1, 2, 3 |
2 | M. Owers | Origins of modern astronomy, gravity, light & atoms (1) | 4, 5, 7 |
3 | M. Owers | Light & atoms (2), telescopes, the Sun | 7, 6, 8 |
4 | M. Owers | Introduction to the stars, the interstellar medium | 9, 10 |
5 | M. Owers | Star formation, Stellar structure and evolution | 11, 12 |
6 | M. Owers | Stellar death, Neutron stars & black holes | 13 |
7 | D. Kamath | Life in the Universe, The Milky Way Galaxy | 14, 15 |
8 | D. Kamath | Other Galaxies | 16 |
9 | D. Kamath | Active galaxies & supermassive black holes | 17 |
10 | D. Kamath | Modern cosmology I | 18 |
11 | D. Kamath | Modern Cosmology II | 18 |
12 | D. Kamath | Origin of the solar system and extrasolar planets, Earth and other planets | 19-25 |
13 | All | Revision Week |
N.B. This schedule is flexible, and subject to change.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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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