Department ____PHYS___
AREAS OF INQUIRY
Course Number __344___
Course Name
Introduction to Astrophysics
INVESTIGATING THE NATURAL
WORLD
This form must be submitted to the Faculty Council on Liberal Learning and Academic Life as part of the submission
process.
Please attach a proposed syllabus for this course and the Undergraduate Curriculum Course Proposal Form.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: 16 September 2005
Please answer the following questions:
Check Only One:
 This course is an existing course (in the current curriculum) that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.
 This is a new course that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.
1. Name and contact information for the department chair administrating this course.
David Doughty (doughty@pcs.cnu.edu), 594-7065
2. In any given semester, how many sections of this course is your department willing to offer?
Two
3. Why is this course being offered/what is it designed to achieve (Course purpose/goal)?
This course is offered for two reasons. First, it is expected to be the third course in a Liberal Learning
Emphasis in Physics/Astronomy for students interested in deepening their knowledge of these fields.
Second, it provides a junior level introduction to quantitative Astrophysics for our majors seeking further
study in Astrophysics and Cosmology.
In both cases, the goal of the course is the same – that the students will be exposed to some of the deep and
profound questions about our universe that can be answered using our current knowledge of Physics.
Astrophysics investigates the origin and evolution of stars, the reactions which power them, the life
sequence and death of these stars, the behavior of the remnants left over after star death, the formation of
galaxies and the origin, evolution, structure and end of the universe as a whole. The course is intended to
deepen the knowledge of these topics that students saw for the first time in their introductory
astronomy/physics classes, and add a quantitative aspect to the analysis so that they can discover some of
these laws for themselves.
4. All courses must address every objective listed below.
Lecture
 Understand the process of science and the strengths and weaknesses of this process
 Understand that our present knowledge of the natural world is the result of the progression of scientific
ideas over time
 Apply scientific knowledge to the definition, understanding, and evaluation of issues of contemporary
society
 Gain an understanding of a body of knowledge in at least one natural science discipline
Laboratory
 Engage in asking and answering questions using the scientific process
 Conduct analyses and evaluation of data from scientific experimentation
 Present results and draw conclusions in both written and oral formats
 Apply the scientific process to present-day questions
5. Briefly explain how this class addresses the above objectives.
This is a lecture class, not a laboratory, so some of the requirements for lab classes will not be met.
This class will demonstrate the process of science, the strengths and weaknesses thereof and the
development of scientific ideas through progressive refinements by direct examination of the theories
proposed to explain physical observations of the universe. For example, during this course, students will
have several opportunities to examine the effect of gravitation on the behavior of astronomical systems.
Initially, their exposure will be to the classical (Newtonian) theory of gravity, which will work well
provided that conditions are not too extreme. As the semester progresses, we will discover that this theory
begins to give incorrect results when gravitational interactions become strong (for example, near black
holes) and the students will then explore how the explanation of gravitational interactions needs to change,
leading to a discussion of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. Students will then see that the subtle
changes in going from Newton to Einstein have both profound philosophical consequences for our
understanding of the structure of the universe, as well as concrete effects necessary for correctly working
technology here on earth (e.g. the global positioning system). In exploring our understanding of the
universe, there will be many similar examples.
The class will apply the scientific knowledge obtained to contemporary issues in several ways. Technology
developed for the exploration of the universe has direct application terrestrially. Some of the more
“exotic” theories of the universe turn out to have practical consequences – again, the global positioning
system is a classic example.
The goal of the class is a deeper knowledge of the field of astrophysics and the entire semester structure of
lectures, individual problems, group problems, readings, etc. will be aimed at achieving this goal.
Finally, even though this class is not a laboratory class, the students will get a significant exposure to the
techniques used to ask valid, specific scientific questions and to formulate well suppoted quantitative
answers to those questions. They will be regularly presented with open ended problems and will need to
formulate plans of attack, collect background information, decide on analysis techniques, derive the
necessary equations, compute their results and perform sanity checks on the computed values.
6. Course Assessment: Identify how this course will accomplish the above objectives (choose at least one).
 Participating in class discussion and debate
 Engaging in teamwork and other collaborative exercises
 Writing analytical or evaluative papers, perhaps incorporating original research
 Making oral presentations
 Performing laboratory experiments
 Conducting data analysis
 Participating in fieldwork
 Other means – please identify – Students will need to research the historical development of
astrophysical theories and solve problems involving those theories, both individually and
collectively.
7. Attach a proposed syllabus, which includes a statement of purpose, course objectives, and how these
objectives will be accomplished.
See attached.
8. If this course contributes to any of the foundations for liberal learning given below, please explain how.
 Oral Communication Literacy:
 Information Literacy: To solve many of the posed problems, students will need to search
the internet, evaluate the reliability of sources found there, and run computer simulations
of astrophysical events.

 Writing Literacy: Students will be required to submit regular, written homework assignments
which will be checked for grammar, etc.
8. Explain how this course connects to Vision 2010 – the CNU Strategic Plan (www.cnu.edu/Vision2010).
This class directly addresses goals I.A, I.B, I.C, and II.B by presenting a rigorous, intellectually challenging
class which will require significant student initiative and responsibility. Students will need to meet class
goals and deadlines. Students will also develop their critical thinking and analytical skills by solving a
sequence of significant problems involving Astrophysical theory and Astronomical events.
Submission Checklist:
By the deadline, submit a packet with the following documents to the Assistant Dean for Liberal Learning. Please
submit in electronic and hard copy form.
_____ Area of Inquiry Course Proposal Form
_____ Syllabus for the Course
If needed:
_____ Undergraduate Curriculum Committee New Course Proposal Form
_____ Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Change to Existing Course Form
PHYS 344 Introduction to Astrophysics
Instructor: J. Hardie
Office: Gosnold 217A
Email: jhardie@pcs.cnu.edu
Phone: 594-8876
Office Hours: to be announced.
Textbook: Zelik and Gregory, Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
Course Description
Astrophysics is the study of the physical laws and processes which govern large scale interactions in the universe. It explores
the formation, evolution and eventual death of stars, the sources of their energy, the structure and formation of galaxies and
planets, and the birth, life and death of the universe as a whole. Clearly, the field has broad scope.
This is a one semester introduction to the field of astrophysics. We will not be able to study all of the above systems in
detail, instead, we will focus on three of the most broadly important and most interesting areas. We'll begin with an analysis
of energy in stars, seeking to answer such questions as how stars shine, how long they can continue to do so, how they start
shining, what happens when they run out of energy and how these stellar remnants (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black
holes) behave.
We will then move on to the study of star formation which attempts to determine how the stars got there in the first place.
This study will bring in some very diverse areas of physics ranging from classical mechanics to thermodynamics to quantum
mechanics. Along the way we will, almost by accident, discover how planets form.
Finally, we will take a brief tour of cosmology – that branch of astrophysics which examines the universe as a whole. When
working on this scale, we treat galaxies as dust and stars as insignificant – this is truly science in the large. We'll trace the
development of the universe from a miniscule time after it formed, through the current state of everything and on to the
eventual end of stars, time, space and life.
Astrophysics is a quantitative science. Those with some background in astronomy will be familiar with many of the objects
and ideas that we cover during the semester. However, this class is more analytical and will require some mathematics and
computer work. Even so, this course is aimed at the interested layman rather than the professional or major in physics. This
being so, we will take care to develop all the required mathematical ideas before they are needed, and we will perform
analyses which are accessible to the willing student, regardless of the student's intended profession.
Prerequisite Knowledge
This class assumes a working knowledge of introductory physics or introductory astronomy. It also assumes that you have
completed the mathematics requirement at CNU. Some familiarity with calculus is desirable but not required – we will be
covering the necessary mathematics as the need arises.
Structure of the Course
During the semester, we will divide our class time between traditional lectures and group problem solving sessions. During
the problem sessions, you will be given a single system to analyze and you will be required to perform this analysis in groups
of 2 or 3 students. The results of your analysis will be submitted at the end of the class period.
Written homework assignments will be assigned regularly about once every two weeks. These problems will: explore
physical properties in more depth than can be covered in lecture, explore interesting phenomena that are peripheral to the
central themes of the class, explore computer simulations of astrophysical events, and explore interesting historical issues that
shaped the development of astrophysics and astronomy.
You will have two midterm examinations. One of these will be a traditional in-class exam, the other will be a take home
collaborative effort.
You will have one cumulative final examination which will test your understanding of the semester material as a whole.
Grading
Grading will be on a Plus/Minus scale with no curve. The semester grades will be determined as follows:
Percent
Score
Letter
Grade
Percent
Score
Letter
Grade
Percent
Score
Letter
Grade
Percent
Score
Letter
Grade
> 93
A
77-80
C+
90-93
A-
73-77
C
87-90
B+
70-73
C-
83-87
B
60-70
D
80-83
B-
< 60
F
Your semester grade will be determined by a combination of written homework, class participation, two midterm exams and
a final exam. These individual grades will be combined with the following weights:
Component
Weight
Homework
25.00%
Class
Participation
10.00%
Midterm Exams
30.00%
Final Exam
35.00%
Academic Integrity
This class is conducted under the CNU code of academic conduct. Unless otherwise instructed, you are expected to do your
own independent work. All sources used in the solution of problems must be cited correctly. You are expected to follow all
the instructions on homework and examination problems. Many of these problems have been solved before by others. The
point of these problems is for you to discover the solution methods and learn the techniques yourself. I can look up answers
as well as you can so I don't need you to do this for me. I want you to show me that you know how to solve the problem on
your own.
Any violation of the academic integrity policies of CNU, or the academic requirements of this class will result in a failing
grade for the semester, and a letter to the Dean of Students stating that this failure was for academic integrity reasons.
Disability Accommodation
If you are disabled, I will be happy to provide you with necessary accommodations. By CNU policy, if you are to receive
accommodations, your disability must be on file with the office of Disability Support Services. Please bring me a copy of the
accommodation letter for my records.
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
NEW COURSE PROPOSAL FORM
Does this proposal affect Liberal Learning requirements? Yes __X__ No _____
1.
Title of Course: Introduction to Astrophysics
Proposed Course Number (cleared with Registrar): PHYS 344
Prerequisite Courses:
CNU Mathematics requirement and any one of PHYS 141, 142, 143, 144 or
one of the introductory physics sequences PHYS 151+152 or PHYS 201+202.
(if you require a minimum acceptable grade greater than the default of D- , please indicate the grade
you require) _________
Catalogue Description (including credits, lecture, and lab hours)
This is a one semester introduction to the field of astrophysics. It focuses on several important areas of
study – the energy sources of stars, what happens when stars die, the behavior of white dwarfs, neutron stars
and black holes, the formation of stars and solar systems, and the large scale structure of the universe,
including the formation, evolution and eventual end of the universe as a whole. This quantitative course is
aimed at interested students with some background in introductory physics or astronomy. All required
mathematical techniques will be explained as they are needed during the semester. (3,0,0)
Is the course cross-listed? If so, what is the number of the other course?
NO
**A proposed syllabus, including complete text and/or reference information, as well
as any relevant information to this decision, must be appended.
See Attached.
NOTE: All affected department chairs must sign approval on last page.
2.
For whom is the course primarily intended? Explain why it should be added to the curriculum.
This course is aimed at students seeking to complete a three course Liberal Learning Emphasis
in Physics/Astronomy. It also serves as the second course in a proposed three course sequence
of Astronomy/Astrophysics for physics majors interested in further study in these fields.
PHYS 344 should be added to the curriculum because it supports the new general education
requirements, because it fills a needed gap in our physics major, and because there are
currently no courses covering this interesting and popular material at CNU.
3.
If this course is required, append a description of how the course fits into the curriculum. Indicate
how it affects hours required for graduation.
This course is not required.
4.
Has this course been offered previously as a special topics course? If so, when? What course number
was used?
This course has never been offered.
5.
Has this course, or one closely related to it, been offered at CNU previously?
If so, is that course currently being offered? How does the proposed course differ? When is the last term the
old course will be offered?
CNU has previously offered an introductory astronomy course as well as an advanced
astrophysics/cosmology course, but there have been no courses in astrophysics at this level
offered at CNU.
6.
What is the anticipated enrollment per offering for the next three years?
25-45
During which term will this course first be offered?
Fall 20__
Spring 2007_
Summer 20___
During which semesters will this course regularly be offered?
Fall X_
Spring X_
Summer 20___
Print in the ___2006___ (academic year) Undergraduate Catalog.
7.
How will the course be staffed?
Full time faculty. (J. Hardie, R. Caton, D. Hibler, E. Brash)
9.
Does the course involve a particular classroom, special equipment, or costs beyond those usually associated
with a course at CNU? If so, please explain.
NO.
9.
Is the course repeatable for additional credit? If so, is there a limit to the number of times the course
can be repeated? (e.g., applied music courses)
The course cannot be repeated.
If this course is for an Area of Inquiry
a. Identify the Area of Inquiry _Exploring the Natural World____
b. Demonstrate how your course will meet the objectives of this Area of Inquiry
See attached Area of Inquiry Proposal.
This course was approved by:
(Liberal learning core courses must be reviewed by BOTH academic Deans.)
|
Department(s): (1)
Date: ________
(2)
Date: ________
College Curriculum
Committee:
Date: ________
Dean:
Date: ________
Dean:
Date: ________
Undergraduate Curriculum
Committee:
Date: ________
Concur
Changes to the Liberal Learning requirements must be reviewed by the Faculty Senate.
Faculty Senate President:
Date: ________
Provost
Date: ________
Distribution by Provost Office following approval:
Department Chair(s), UCC Chair, Deans, Registrar
** If “Do Not Concur” is checked, please attach a statement of explanation.
Rev. 03/20/05
Do Not
Concur**