| Semester 1, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Astronomical Techniques |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Sciences |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 010303 - Astronomy |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: PHY1104 and PHY1911
Rationale
This course forms a core coursework component for the Bachelor of Science (Astronomical and Space Sciences). The course provides an in-depth introduction to observational astronomy, and the physical concepts and measurements used to understand a broad range of topics in modern astrophysics and uses assignments to develop more general knowledge and skills relating to physical measurements.
Synopsis
This course introduces the science, techniques and technology of observational astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include astronomical observing, astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy, telescopes, optics, detectors and data analysis. Additional topics develop technical skills through the use of assignments. Data obtained from USQ's Mt Kent Observatory is made available to students enrolled in this course, to provide an opportunity for learning practical skills used in astronomical and space sciences.
Objectives
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- Explain key concepts relating to astronomical techniques
- Apply quantitative methods to evaluate astronomical techniques
- Analyse qualitative and quantitative data in astronomical techniques
- Examine and assess the practicalities of observational astronomy, telescopes and instrumentation
- Review and report technical information regarding astronomical instruments
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Key concepts in astronomical techniques | 20.00 |
| 2. | Presenting scientific results using astronomical techniques | 15.00 |
| 3. | Comparing theory with practical astronomical techniques | 13.00 |
| 4. | Communicating technical information regarding observations and instruments | 13.00 |
| 5. | Astronomical Observing | 13.00 |
| 6. | Observational Techniques | 13.00 |
| 7. | Telescopes | 13.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=PHY2204)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
(ISBN 13: 978-1-292-02293-2) (.)
Reference materials
(ISBN: 978-0-321-59558-4) (.)
(ISBN: 0943396824. Includes AIP4WIN 2.0 Software.)
(ISBN 0716795647) (.)
(ISBN: 0750309172.)
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 26.00 |
| Directed 精东传媒app | 24.00 |
| Online Discussion Board | 24.00 |
| Online Lectures | 24.00 |
| Online Tutorials | 24.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 48.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 20 | 20 | 23 Apr 2020 | |
| Assessment 2 | 20 | 20 | 22 May 2020 | |
| Take Home Exam | 60 | 60 | End S1 | (see note 1) |
Notes
- This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official examination timetable has been released.
Important assessment information
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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. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks available. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 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 S1 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). -
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. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 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 S1 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).
- Students may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
-
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date
Requirements after S1 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.
Evaluation and benchmarking
In meeting the 精东传媒app鈥檚 aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2. forms part of the Bachelor of Science (Astronomy and Space Sciences) and the Bachelor of Science (Physical Sciences) and will be benchmarked against the professional accreditation standards of the Australian Institute of Physics.
Other requirements
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Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to UConnect for this course.