Online Class: Current Discoveries of the Universe 101
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17Lessons
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34Exams &
Assignments -
15Hours
average time -
1.5CEUs
Course Description
When we think of famous astronomers and astronomical discoveries, we have a tendency to look far back in history. We often invoke the names of the great astronomers of the Renaissance, that time period when an enormous amount of knowledge was imparted to the world. But, in doing so, we neglect to pay homage to the Golden Age of Astronomy, which is happening right now. Some of the most profound questions about life are being answered by discoveries being made in our own lifetime, many even in the past decade. This course will explore many of these discoveries, with an emphasis on more recent discoveries that have given us insight into such tantalizing questions as: How did the Universe begin? When did it happen and under what conditions? How do stars form? What are they made of? How was the Earth formed? Are there other planets? Do they have life too?
We will start with the recent discoveries of Exoplanets, or planets that exist outside our solar system. We will explore the conditions that are necessary to form life on these planets. We will then move on discuss Dark Energy, this mysterious force that is believed to comprise most of the Universe. Other topics include the sensational discovery of the Higgs boson particle, a discovery that filled in one of the missing pieces of one the most important concepts in physics; we'll look at the age and expansion of the Universe, gamma-ray bursts, the mysterious Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, and the tantalizing concepts behind String Theory. This comprehensive course will take you on a journey to explore the deepest parts of the Universe and find answers to some of our most fundamental questions.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
Course Lessons
Lesson 1. The Golden Age of Astronomy
- Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam
Lesson 2. Exoplanets
- Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam
Lesson 3. The Age of the Universe
- Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam
Lesson 4. Expansion of the Universe
- Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam
Lesson 5. Dark Energy
- Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam
Lesson 6. Dark Matter
- Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam
Lesson 7. How Planets and Galaxies Form
- Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam
Lesson 8. Water on the Moon and Mars
- Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Lesson 9. Gamma -Ray Bursts
- Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam
- Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam
Lesson 10. String Theory, or the Theory of Everything
- Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
Lesson 11. Dwarf Planets
- Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam
Lesson 12. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)
- Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
Lesson 13. Coronal Mass Ejections
- Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam
Lesson 14. Special Relativity. Part 1.
- Complete: Lesson14 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam
Lesson 15. Special Relativity. Part 2.
- Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam
Lesson 16. The KT Extinction
- Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam
Lesson 17. The Higgs Boson Particle
- Lesson discussions: Let us know what you think of this course; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
- Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define the golden age of astronomy.
- Describe exoplanets.
- Summarize the age of the universe.
- Describe expansion of the universe.
- Describe Dark Energy and Dark Matter
- Describe how planets and galaxies form.
- Describe gamma-ray bursts.
- Summarize String Theory.
- Recognize dwarf planets.
- Describe cosmic microwave background radiation.
- Coronal Mass Ejections
- Describe Coronal Mass Ejections and Special Relativity.
- Describe The KT Extinction.
- Summarize The Higgs Boson Particle.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
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