AST1002 - Descriptive Astronomy

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255              PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101      PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College is a diverse, quality higher education institution that provides Polk County and beyond with access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degree programs, career certificates, and workforce employment programs that are delivered to students through various modalities and innovative technologies. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s General Education courses develop competence in the areas of 1) Communication, 2) Critical Thinking, 3) Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, 4) Information Literacy, and 5) Global Socio-Cultural Responsibility. A complete description of these outcomes is located in the Polk State College Catalog. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the areas of:

3. Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning

Apply mathematical and scientific principles and methods to solve abstract and real-world problems.

4. Information Literacy

Demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, incorporate, organize, and document information.

 
Course Objectives:

Students will:
1. follow the scientific method, evaluate/interpret both quantitative and qualitative data pertaining to the Solar System, Stars and the Cosmos, (3)
2. apply the scientific principles formed from the physical laws and scientific method to a new set of phenomena involving the Solar System, Stars and the Cosmos, (3), 
3. organize information from lectures, text, and Internet resources involving the Solar System, Stars and the Cosmos, (4)
4. learn basic course content involving the Solar System, Stars and the Cosmos.

For Honors Program sections, the following Course objectives also apply:
5. Interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of source.
6. Utilize primary sources to research, write and/or create original academic work.

 

Course Content:
The Solar System

The Formation of the Solar System

Terrestrial Planets

Jovian Planets

Moons, Rings and Minor Bodies

Stars

The Sun

Characterizing Stars

Stellar Birth and Star-forming regions

Stellar Evolution and Remnants

Cosmology

Normal Galaxies

Active Galaxies

Galactic Evolution

Cosmology

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbooks” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030, requires each Associate in Arts (AA) degree program student to complete six credits of college-level Mathematics; taking the appropriate General Education Mathematics courses satisfies the Mathematics portion of this requirement. 

In addition, State Rule 6A-10.030 requires each AA degree program student to complete six credits of English coursework, and six credits of additional courses in which the student demonstrates college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Because Polk State uses a “Writing across the Curriculum” approach to meeting the writing requirement, in addition to the required composition courses, any required Social Sciences or Humanities courses can fulfill this writing requirement.

A minimum grade of C is required for all courses used to fulfill the Communications and Mathematics areas of the General Education requirements.

This course does not emphasize writing, but it may include writing assignments as a part of the course requirements.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours, and the student is encouraged to seek assistance whenever it is needed. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JD Alexander (JDA) Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College’s website.

Withdrawing From a Course

A student may officially withdraw from a course during any given term, provided he or she follows the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop Period, a student may officially withdraw from any course without receiving a grade, provided this is done before the published withdrawal deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited-admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in each specific program’s handbook.

If a student stops attending class, the grade earned (usually an F) is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, course withdrawal may have on his or her financial-aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who is engaged in processes related to academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college-credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited-admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course repeats that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in each specific program’s handbook. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course may have on his or her financial-aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

The student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and abides by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation is dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information regarding academic dishonesty can be found in the instructor’s Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (including, but not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:

Lonnie Thompson
Chief of Institutional Compliance & Engagement/Title IX Coordinator
999 Avenue H, NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: 863.292.3602
e-mail: lthompson@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity for Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services.

Note: Limited-admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

Video and/or Audio Recording

Video and/or audio recording in a college class are strictly regulated by State and Federal law, in addition to Polk State College Policy. Improper video and/or audio recordings made in a college classroom, or the improper sharing of such recordings, exposes the recording student to serious potential legal liability. Students are strongly cautioned to make informed choices in compliance with State and Federal law, as well as College Policy, when debating whether to make audio and/or video recordings in class.

An enrolled student may record video and/or audio of a class lecture for personal educational use, including in support of disability accommodations. A lecture is defined as: a formal or methodical oral presentation, given by the instructor as part of a college course, that is intended to present information or teach enrolled students about a particular subject. A lecture may be presented live, online, or in-person by the course professor.

A lecture recording may not be shared or published without the written permission of the professor. All supportive disability accommodation-based audio and/or video lecture recording activity must receive prior written approval from the Polk State College Office of Disability Services and the course professor.

It is important to be respectful of students’ rights to privacy; with this in mind, College policy stipulates that students should not record peers during lectures, class discussions, student presentations, labs, group work, and private conversations. Recording a student without his or her consent could have legal consequences, including a possible violation of State and/or Federal law and the Polk State College Student Code of Conduct.

If a professor becomes aware of a violation of the student recording policy, he or she is able to address this through the College, including the assignment of sanctions (District Board of Trustees Rule 4.01 and Polk State Procedure 5028: Student Code of Conduct: Sanctions and Assignment of Penalties for Violations). This is in addition to other liabilities, as aforementioned.

Search for Open Classes