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Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

PHY1107 Astronomy 2 provides an introduction to the Sun, the stars, and the galaxies. It is an appropriate elective for students of physics & astronomy, biology, chemistry, climatology, education and other disciplines. The course provides broad scientific understanding of our origins, our place in the universe, and our future, and highlights the profound astronomical influences on our planet. The course starts with the Sun and its terrestrial influences, and how stars help us trace the Sun's past, present and future. It then reviews what is known about our home galaxy, the Milky Way, and the other galaxies that form the basic building blocks of the visible universe. It also delves into cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole. The course concludes with a look at life on Earth, and the search for extra-terrestrial life and intelligence. Access to Mt Kent Observatory data is provided, so that students can develop skills in observing "deep sky" objects beyond the solar system. PHY1107 is the complementary course to PHY1101 Astronomy 1, an introduction to planetary science.

Synopsis

The astronomy course is about the Sun, the stars and galaxies, and includes cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole, and astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. The course begins with the Sun, our local typical star, and moves onto a survey of the stars of the night sky. The course then discusses how stars form, evolve, die and end up as stellar remnants. Our Milky Way galaxy is then introduced, as a prelude to a survey of other galaxies. Following this, the universe on the grandest scale is examined, from its origins in the Big Bang, to its future as an expanding, accelerating cosmos. Finally, we take a look at life on Earth, and how life and intelligence could arise elsewhere. Access to Mt Kent Observatory data is provided as part of this course, so that students can observe "deep sky" objects beyond our solar system. This course follows on from PHY1101 Astronomy 1 (which focuses on planetary science), but may be taken independently.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload expectations

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   
   Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4).
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.
   
   Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
   
   To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination).
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
   
   
8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
   
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
   
   
2. In accordance with ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
   
   
3. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
   
   
4. Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
   
   
5. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
   
   
6. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
   
   
7. Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
   
   

Other requirements

1. Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to UConnect for this course.