Highlights of Astronomy (120-DL-20)
Instructors
Andrew J Rivers
847/467-7100
1918 Sheridan
Dr. Andrew Rivers joined the Northwestern University Physics department in 1999 and has since taught a courses in physics and astronomy including the introductory physics sequence, Modern Cosmology, and Highlights of Astronomy. Andrew was awarded the Weinberg College Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008 and has been named to the Associated Student Government faculty-administrator honor roll 6 times. Andrew serves as a Weinberg College adviser and has been active in Northwestern's Residential College (RC) system, serving as Faculty Master of the Cultural and Community Studies RC from 2004-2009. He assisted in development of the Gateway Science Workshop program in physics and has worked on other curricular innovations within the Northwestern community. Andrew's Ph.D. research included a large scale radio survey of the so-called "Zone of Avoidance": his project revealed 20 previously unknown nearby galaxies.
Meeting Info
Online: TBA
Overview of class
Building from fundamental physical principles of gravity, light, and matter, this course will explore our modern ideas about the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. We will explore two primary themes: the origin and destiny of the universe and the search for life within it. This course will expand your scientific literacy and expose you to various astronomy resources.
Registration Requirements
Prerequisites: none
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Explain how the scientific method components of observations, predictions, and testing lay the "how we know what we know" foundation for scientific theories.
Read, analyze, and interpret graphs and data to draw scientific conclusions and defend the validity of your conclusions compared to alternative explanations.
Discuss how theories of gravity and motion explain the motion of the planets and the formation and evolution of the solar system.
Apply fundamental physical principles of gravity, light, and matter to explain the behavior of stars and galaxies and solve astrophysical problems.
Describe the story told by the Big Bang theory of the origin and evolution of the Universe.
Explain the underlying evidence and contrast the Big Bang explanation of observations to alternative theories.
Class Materials (Required)
There are no materials required for purchase; all required and optional readings and resources will be accessed through Canvas and the Northwestern Library.
Class Attributes
Asynchronous:Remote class-no scheduled mtg time