Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to summarize recent advances in current scientific understanding of the field of cosmology.
• Imagine that you were stranded in the middle of the wilderness. You are able to locate Polaris in the sky to find north. Explain how you could use celestial objects (Sun, moon, stars, planets, etc.) to determine when a day, month, and year had passed. New and better wording: Imagine that you were suddenly placed in the middle of the wilderness. You know that you will be stranded here for at least 10 years! You have no contact with other people, either in person or through technology. You also don?t have a watch, compass, or phone! Describe in as much detail as possible how you could use the sky (Sun, Moon, Stars) to keep track of time. Be sure to discuss how you can measure not only short periods of time (days, etc.) but also longer periods of time (months, years, etc.). Also, be sure to mention how you would figure out directions (north, etc.).
• Students will be able to identify and describe the various types and structures of galaxies.
• Students will be able to describe the scale of the universe and relate it to specific units of measurement.
• Students will be able to recognize the structure and principles underlying the operation of various telescopes.
• Student will be able to identify and describe methods of analysis of electromagnetic radiation.
• Students will be able to describe the historical development of cosmology, from the perspectives of ancient cultures up through modern times.
• Students will be able to explain current theories relating to the origins and evolutionary cycles of stars of various masses; include a description and evaluation of our current understanding of the nature of bizarre objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.
• Students will be able to describe the motions of celestial objects.
• Students will be able to analyze the structure and location of the Earth and the objects in our solar system as a model of a stellar system in the universe.