AS 103 - Descriptive Astronomy

Description
A descriptive survey of our understanding of the universe. Topics include cycles of the sky; astronomical history; the birth, life and death of stars; galaxies and cosmology; and planets. The laboratory portion emphasizes observations of the night sky, learning sky motions and investigating astrophysical phenomena. This course satisfies the general education requirement for a laboratory science course for non-science majors. Credit toward an Associate Degree will only be given for either AS 102 or AS 103, but not for both. Recommended Skills: Students should have an upper-moderate level of abilities for visualization of spatial relationships (relative position, size, distance).

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6

School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: AS

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T11:37:48
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios

General Education Requirement: Natural Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 7. Problem-Solving: Apply theory, calculation, or experimentation to demonstrate effective problem-solving

Course Learning Outcomes:

Summarize how our understanding of astronomy has developed throughout history. (GELO3)
Identify how astronomers use constellations and coordinate systems to create a map of the sky. (GELO3)
Estimate the relative sizes of celestial objects and the distances between them. (GELO7)
Distinguish the daily, annual and precessional motions of the Earth.
Explain the causes of moon phases as well as solar and lunar eclipses.
Use observations from astronomical instruments to support scientific theories. (GELO3, GELO7)
Describe the physical properties and the life cycle of the Sun and other stars.
List the components of the Milky Way Galaxy and the larger structures we exist within.
Compare properties of objects in our solar system and contrast them with other star systems.

Approved for Online Delivery?: Yes

Course Outline:
I. Astronomy Foundations

A. The Scale of the Cosmos (CLO 3)

B. Stars and Constellations (CLO 2)

C. History of Astronomy (CLO 1)

D. Cycles of the Sky (CLO 4, CLO 5)

E. Overview of the Solar System (CLO 9)

II. The Lives of Stars

A. Astronomical Instruments (CLO 6)

B. Starlight and Atoms (CLO 6)

C. The Sun - Our Star (CLO 7)

D. Characteristics of Stars (CLO 7)

E. Birth and Evolution of Stars (CLO 7)

F. Stellar Death and Stellar Remnants (CLO 7)

III. Galaxies and Beyond

A. The Milky Way Galaxy (CLO 8)

B. Galaxies and Their Properties (CLO 8)

C. Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies (CLO 8)

D. The Big Bang and Cosmology (CLO 1)

E. Life in the Universe (CLO 9)

Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-75%

Lab: 20-49%

Observatory and planetarium field trips: 1-5%

Mandatory Course Components:
None

Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required

Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: Must know the night sky. Must know physics, computer programming, computer-driven telescope operation, telescope optics, astronomical spectroscopy, current theories of new objects and cosmologies. Requires a Master’s or PhD in physics or astronomy.

General Room Request: 440 CSC

Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
None
Course Fees: $15.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 101099
Course CIP Code: 40.0203

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA