The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and how it applies to astronomy
2. Describe the evolution of stars from birth to death and discuss how this evolution relates to their own lives on the Earth
3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the scales of time and distance in the cosmos and what scientific evidence we have for these scales
4. Explain our modern understanding of the large scale structure and evolution of the universe of galaxies (including the expansion of the universe), and what the observational evidence is that underlies them
5. Understand the role of different types of telescopes and detectors in making astronomical observations
6. Describe the challenges women and people of color in astronomy have faced in the past, and describe how the situation is changing

1. Grand tour of the universe
   1. Definitions of basic astronomy terms
2. The nature of science and the Scientific Method
3. How do we get information about the universe
   1. Electromagnetic radiation
   2. Atoms and spectra
   3. How we use radiation to understand the characteristics of cosmic objects (including the Doppler Shift)
   4. Telescopes and detectors
4. The life stories of the stars
   1. Star formation and protostars
   2. Energy mechanisms in stars (nuclear fusion)
   3. H-R Diagrams, the Main Sequence, and stellar lifetimes
   4. Post-Main Sequence evolution in low mass stars
   5. Post-Main Sequence evolution in high mass stars
   6. Endpoints in stellar evolution: white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovae
   7. Introduction to General Relativity and black holes
5. The Milky Way Galaxy: its contents and structure
   1. Methods of measuring distances in astronomy
   2. Experiments to detect the presence of dark matter
   3. Galactic and globular clusters
   4. Extra-solar planets and how we detect them
   5. The structure and contents of the Milky Way
6. Other galaxies
   1. Normal galaxies and galaxy types
   2. Active galaxies and quasars
   3. Observational evidence for supermassive black holes
   4. The large scale structure of the universe
7. Cosmology
   1. Hubble's Law and the expanding universe: theory and observations
   2. The Big Bang model
   3. The ultimate fate of the universe: different scenarios
   4. Observational tests of cosmology
8. Cosmic evolution: summing up

Not applicable.

Cooperative group activities
Repeated use of formative assessment throughout each class meeting
Homework incorporating feedback and correction opportunities
Quizzes
Exams (midterm and final)
A term paper may or may not be required

Cooperative learning exercises
Lecture with continuous use of formative assessment
Multiple practice opportunities outside of class
Discussions
Demonstrations
Preparatory reading before class meetings

Fraknoi, Andrew, David Morrison, and Sidney Wolff. Astronomy 2nd ed. (OpenStax). 2022.

Prather, Ed, Gina Brissenden, Colin S. Wallace, and Jeffery P. Adams. Lecture Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy, 4th ed.. 2021.

Reading Assignments:

1. Each topic in the course has assigned preparatory reading in the textbook related to that topic.
2. Some topics have additional reading for students to interpret using skills taught in the course.

Writing Assignment Examples:

1. Collaborative group activities may require writing collective answers from the group.
2. Preparations for class may include written descriptions of prior thinking or interpretation of observations prior to teaching of new skills.
3. Post-class or weekly homework may require writing to interpret scenarios in light of newly taught skills.
4. Exams may include essay or short answer questions.