Class Syllabus: History of the Universe
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Online
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Course Meeting Times: |
Self-Paced / Online
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Course Description
For many centuries, scientists generally held the belief that the Universe was truly infinite – many people believed that it neither had a beginning nor an end. The question of how our Universe began is one of the fundamental questions that all peoples of the Earth have wondered for millennia. Although much of what we know today is still regarded as speculation, scientists and astrophysicists have made significant discoveries in the last century that have given us a much clearer view of the Universe's history. While these discoveries have led us to better understand our origins, they have also prompted us to pose even deeper questions. This is the very nature of science and cosmology, the study of the Universe. Our understanding of the physical world around us, and indeed the Universe itself, is constantly expanding.
This course will explore the very beginnings of our Universe and examine its fundamental components. We will explore the formation and basic elements of our own solar system, and we will reach out from there – deep into the darkness to explore the sometimes exotic and always fascinating elements of space.
We will also peer into other worlds in search of life on other planets, and we will learn about the exciting discoveries that have been made throughout the centuries by some of our greatest thinkers. Course Requirements
This course will not require you to have previous experience in any particular area but you should have a high school reading level. No books will be required. Course Topics
Lesson 1 : In the Beginning…The Big Bang
Lesson 2 : Our Sun and Other Stars
Lesson 3 : The Moon
Lesson 4 : The Inner Planets
Lesson 5 : The Outer Planets
Lesson 6 : The Asteroid Belt, the Kuiper Belt, and Pluto
Lesson 7 : The Constellations, Nebulas, and Meteors
Lesson 8 : Global Warming
Lesson 9 : Black Holes, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Neutrinos, and Other Phenomena in the Universe
Lesson 10 : Comets
Lesson 11 : The History of Knowledge About the Universe
Lesson 12 : Space Exploration, the International Space Station, and the Hubble Space Telescope
Lesson 13 : Exoplanets and Extraterrestrial Life
Course Materials
All course material will be provided in the lessons and netlinks. There are no required materials to purchase before taking the class
Grading Policy
Each lesson will include a lesson review quiz along with one or two assignments. Students will successfully complete this course with 70% or better.
Learning Outcomes By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe our sun and other stars.
- Describe the moon.
- Describe the inner and outer planets.
- Describe the asteroid belt, the kuiper belt, and pluto.
- Describe the constellations, nebulas, and meteors.
- Describe black holes, gamma-ray bursts, neutrinos, and other phenomena in the universe.
- Describe comets.
- Summarize the history of knowledge about the universe.
- Describe space exploration, the international space station, and the hubble space telescope.
- Describe exoplanets and extraterrestrial life, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
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