Introductory Astronomy: Exploring God’s Universe
Syllabus
CAM194 Introductory Astronomy: Exploring God’s Universe
Course Overview
Course Description
A descriptive course about the solar system, stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, and the universe. Recent findings of space exploration and radio astronomy are included. With a unique integration of science and Scripture, you will explore how modern discoveries affirm the beauty, order, and complexity of God's creation.
Credit Hours: 4hrs
Prerequisite: College Algebra or equivalent skills
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain major astronomical concepts like celestial mechanics, planetary science, and cosmology.
- Analyze historical and modern perspectives on the universe through a scientific and biblical lens.
- Develop observational skills to study the night sky using various tools and mathematical models. Explain the connection between stellar spectra and the atomic composition of stars.
- Investigate the physics of stellar fusion energy production and nucleosynthesis, including stellar life cycles, from formation to black holes.
- Evaluate cosmological models and the fine-tuning argument for the universe’s design.
- Integrate faith and science by exploring how biblical principles align with astronomical discoveries.
Resources
- Astronomy 2nd Edition, Fraknoi, Morrison, Wolff.
- Lab Kit
- Note: The High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) Labs are done in conjunction with Near Space Education, who are graciously providing their services. Enrollment in the course assumes that you give permission for them to publish the results of your HAB experiment.
Required Technology
This course requires the use of the Stellarium app for several assignments and activities. Students must have access to a smartphone, tablet, or another compatible device capable of installing and running the Stellarium app. Please ensure your device meets the app’s minimum requirements.
Optional
- Recommended: Dinah L. Moché, Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, 8th ed. (Trade Paper, 2014).
- Recommended: Eric Hedin, Canceling Science: What Some Atheists Don’t Want You to See (Discovery Institute, 2021).
Great Astronomy websites
- Astronomy Picture of the Day: Discover the cosmos! (shows a different image or photograph each day of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer)
- Hubble Space Telescope Images
Course Outline
Module Zero: Getting Started
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course Intro/About the Course Author |
Input |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Announcements and Student Questions |
Annoucements |
.25 hrs |
-- |
|
Syllabus |
File |
1 hr |
-- |
|
Course Materials |
Ebook |
Varies |
-- |
|
Lab Manual |
|
Varies |
-- |
|
Totals |
2+ hrs |
0 |
|
Module One: The Grand Design of the Universe
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
How Does It Work? |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 1 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Observation Journal 1 |
Journal |
1 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 1: Measuring Things |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 2: Scientific Notation and Unit Conversion |
Lab |
2 hrs |
10 |
|
Lab 3: Parallax and Retrograde Motion: Measuring Distance and Planetary Motion |
Lab |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Prep for HAB Lab |
Preparation |
2 hrs |
-- |
|
Course Survey |
Feedback |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
20.5 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 2: Earth, Moon, and Celestial Motions
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
God’s Order, Great and Small |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 2 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Preparation for Observation Journal |
Preparation |
2 hrs |
-- |
|
Lab 4: Kepler’s 3 Laws (Planetary Orbits) |
Lab |
2 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 5: Galilean Moons |
Lab |
2 hrs |
20 |
|
HAB Lab 1: Developing a Stratospheric Experiment |
Lab |
5 hrs |
25 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 3: The Solar System
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
Conditions for Life |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 3 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Preparation for Observation Journal |
Preparation |
2 hrs |
-- |
|
Lab 6: Building Our Solar System |
Lab |
2 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 7: The Age of Planetary Surfaces |
Lab |
2 hrs |
20 |
|
HAB Lab 2: Balloon Launch, Flight Operations and Recovery |
Lab |
5 hrs |
25 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 4: Stars and Their Life Cycles
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
Fine Tuning in Stars/Interstellar Travel |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 4 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Observation Discussion |
Discussion |
1 hr |
5 |
|
Observation Journal 2 |
Journal |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Lab 8: Exploring Light and Spectra |
Lab |
3 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 9: The H-R Diagram |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 10: Tracking Sunspots and Solar Rotation |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Course Survey |
Feedback |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
20.5 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 5: Astronomy and Faith
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
Faith and Astronomy Research |
Discussion |
4 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 5 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Observation Journal 3 |
Journal |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Lab 11: Could we live there? |
Lab |
3 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 12: The Drake Equation |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 13: Where is the universe headed? |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 6: Star Death, Spacetime, and Black Holes
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
Star Life Cycles |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 6 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Observation Journal 4 |
Journal |
2 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 14: How long do stars live? |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 15: Supernovae |
Lab |
4 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 16: Compact Stellar Objects |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 7: Galaxies and the Universe
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
Our Sun’s Place |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 7 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Observation Journal 5 |
Journal |
1 hr |
15 |
|
Lab 17: Galaxy Quest |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 18: A Mini Hubble-Lemaître Survey |
Lab |
4 hrs |
20 |
|
Lab 19: Weighing a Galaxy Cluster |
Lab |
3 hrs |
15 |
|
Totals |
20 hrs |
125 |
|
Module 8: Cosmology and the Origin of the Universe
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Watch and Read |
Input |
4 hrs |
-- |
|
The “Big Bang” |
Discussion |
3 hrs |
25 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1 hr |
10 |
|
Module 8 Quiz |
Quiz |
1 hr |
25 |
|
Lab 20: Balloon Universe |
Lab |
2 hrs |
15 |
|
Lab 21: Doppler Shift and Hubble’s Law |
Lab |
4 hrs |
25 |
|
HAB Lab 3: Experiment Analysis and Sharing Results |
Lab |
5 hrs |
25 |
|
Course Survey |
Feedback |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
20.5 hrs |
125 |
|
Live Sessions
This course has live meetups for Q and A, typically one hour every module. If you cannot attend, you can recoup the points for the session by watching the recording and submitting a 300-word summary/response. Since these sessions will be audio-visually recorded, those who participate with their camera engaged are agreeing to have their video, image, or voice recorded.
Point Distribution
- Discussions: 200
- Live QandA Sessions: 80
- Quizzes: 200
- Observation Jounral: 75
- Labs: 370
- HAB Labs: 75
Each student will earn a grade that is reflective of what they have achieved in this course. Learning is paramount to the educational process. If learning is to take place, there is no alternative but to work. There are no shortcuts. Each student will receive a grade for this course that is determined by the total number of points earned. Since grades are based upon what a student earns, it is possible for each student to receive an “A” letter grade.