National University

A study of the astronomical, geological and oceanographic sciences. Emphasizes the physical structures and processes that have formed (and are continuing to shape) the stars, planets and other objects of our solar system and the universe.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the big bang theory; describe the origin of our solar system, stellar energy, and the types of stars, planets, and other astral objects; know major lines of evidence supporting these areas of knowledge.
2. Define and explain the following: albedo, aphelion, astronomical unit, binary star, black hole, Cepheid variable stars, comets, eclipse (solar and lunar, partial and total), equinox, expanding universe, galaxies, Galilean satellites, Hubble constant, light year, Magellanic Clouds and Supernova 1987A, magnitude, nebula, occultation, parallax, retrograde motion, selenography, solstice, spectra and spectral lines, syzygy, year (sidereal, equinoctial, anomalistic, calendar), zenith; age of earth, alluvial fan, cirque, coral reefs, desert pavement, earthquakes, faults and plate boundaries, Ice Age and moraines, lithosphere, mid-ocean ridge or rise, tectonics, trade winds, transform fault, trench, volcanoes (on earth and Io).
3. Identify 5 constellations and 5 stars or planets.
4. Map the location of 5 plate boundaries and explain the formation and ages of 5 mountain ranges.
5. State the contributions to science of the following peoples or places:
   • Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Galileo, Kepler, Greenwich Observatory, Newton, William Herschel, Secchi, Einstein, Hubble, Clyde Tombaugh, Neil Armstrong, Stephen Hawking.
   • Egyptians and Babylonians; ancient Chinese; Anasazi; Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs; Medicine Wheel structures on the U.S. plains; Cahokia's Woodhenge; Stonehenge and the stone circles of Britain and Ireland.
   • Hutton, Lyell, Darwin, Capt. James Cook, H.M.S. Challenger, Alfred Wegener, Glomar, Challenger, A. Hallam, R.S. Dietz, J.T. Wilson, L.W. Alvarez, S.J. Gould, Alvin.
6. Describe the structures and operation of: reflecting, refractor, and radio telescopes; various satellites and space craft (e.g., Explorer, Sputnik, Apollo, Mars and Viking series, Voyager, Galileo, Magellan and Giotto); scuba equipment and deep submersible vehicles.

Textbook:
http://www.mbsdirect.net/national/

Course Goals:
This course has three intertwined major goals:

1. To understand our universe, formation of stars and planets, stellar energy, structures of the planets in our solar system. To find and identify significant stars, "constellations" and nebulae in the night sky. To use star charts to determine the positions of the planets and the phases of the moon.
2. To understand the structure of our earth, and how plate tectonics has shaped every feature on the surface of the earth (and how extra-terrestrial impacts have had an impact on the geology and biology of earth). To know and describe various strata, geological time periods, and the various types of rock formation and erosion.
3. To understand the basic principles of physical oceanography (pressure, salt, sunlight, etc.) and how 70% of the earth's surface affects the living environments of the entire biosphere.
4. To respect and care for the multiple interactions between the physical and biological environments on earth (and in outer space, should exobiological studies allow us to discover life in whatever form elsewhere than on earth).
5. To give information necessary for environmentally active citizens to properly address issues of habitat loss, biodegradation, and destruction of the physical environment.

Course Content:

• Astronomy.
• Formation and observable physical characteristics of minerals and different types of rocks.
• Characteristics of landforms.
• Chemical and physical weathering, erosion, deposition, and other rock forming and soil.
• Changing processes.
• Formation and properties of different types of soils and rocks.
• Layers of the earth.
• Plate tectonics.
• Mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes.
• Changes of the earth over geologic time.
• Influence and role of the sun and oceans on weather and climate and the role of the water cycle.
• Causes and effects of air movements and ocean currents on weather and climate.
• Characteristics of bodies of water.
• Mechanisms of tides.

Incomplete A grade given at the discretion of the instructor when a student who has completed at least two-thirds of the course class sessions and is unable to complete the requirements of the course because of uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances. The student must convey these circumstances (preferably in writing) to the instructor prior to the final day of the course. If an instructor decides that an "Incomplete" is warranted, the instructor must convey the conditions for removal of the "Incomplete" to the student in writing. A copy must also be placed on file with the Office of the Registrar until the "Incomplete" is removed or the time limit for removal has passed. An "Incomplete" is not assigned when the only way the student could make up the work would be to attend a major portion of the class when next offered.

An "I" that is not removed within the stipulated time becomes an "F." No grade points are assigned. The "F" is calculated in the grade point average.

Withdrawal Signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course after beginning the third class session. Students who wish to withdraw must notify their admissions advisor before the beginning of the sixth class session in the case of graduate courses, or before the seventh class session in the case of undergraduate courses. Instructors are not authorized to issue a "W" grade.