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Unit outline_

OLET1640: Astronomy: from Big Bang to Darkness

Intensive April - May, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The theory and observations of modern cosmology have revolutionised our view of the universe in recent years. This unit of study explores the big picture of the expanding universe in which we live, where around 96% of its content is revealed but invisible to us! You will learn about the galaxies that are the visible signposts in the universe, the dark matter hiding within and around them, and the dark energy that must also be present to explain the distribution of mass and its motion in the universe on the largest scales. How do we know? How do we even measure distance on these scales? What does this tell us about the history of the universe and its fate? You will gain an appreciation and understanding of the methodology and techniques of modern astronomy that allow us to probe the universe across vast distances and times since the Big Bang and into the future. In doing this unit you will confront the challenging scientific and philosophical questions posed by our cosmological picture. The unit also includes opportunities for day and night observing sessions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PHYS1500
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator John O'Byrne, john.obyrne@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final online examination
Written short answer. Online exam
50% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Observing worksheet
Report on night sky simulation
10% Week 14 (STUVAC)
Due date: 06 Jun 2020 at 00:00

Closing date: 06 Jun 2020
3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Tutorial quiz Mini-quizzes
Mini-Quizzes embedded in online material
5% Weekly 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Mastering Astronomy quizzes
Longer quizzes to build understanding
10% Weekly 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Tutorial quiz Review quizzes
End of week review quiz
10% Weekly 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Tutorials
Results from online data exercise
15% Weekly 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Embedded quizzes:Comprehension of the online material will be tested by brief, automatically marked, multiple choice mini-quizzes. These are used to help you step systematically through the videos/readings.
  • Mastering Astronomy quizzes: MA quizzes at the end of each week are designed to build your understanding of aspects of the material with more complex questions incorporating hints, feedback and multiple, automatically marked attempts.
  • Review quizzes: Review assessments at the end of each week will be longer, automatically marked, multiple choice quizzes. These are used to measure your progress through each week of the unit.
  • Tutorials: students to individually submit results from online data exercise
  • Report on observing session: A worksheet will be submitted with report on night sky simulation.
  • Final examination: Written online exam comprised of short answer questions in the normal end-of-semester exam period.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014(Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Excellent understanding demonstarted in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; on-time completion of all aspects of the unit

Distinction

75 - 84

Good understanding demonstarted in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; on-time completion of all aspects of the unit

Credit

65 - 74

Acceptable understanding demonstarted in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; sometimes combined with a lower standard of results in some other aspects of the unit.

Pass

50 - 64

Basic understanding demonstarted in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; often combined with poor results or lack of completion of some other aspects of the unit.

Fail

0 - 49

Poor understanding demonstarted in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; usually combined with lack of completion of some other aspects of the unit.  i.e. Not meeting the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Observing - single session Practical (2 hr) LO7
Week 01 Scale of the Universe - Canvas pages Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2
Scale of the Universe Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Scale of the Universe Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Content of the Universe - Canvas pages Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO5
Content of the Universe Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Content of the Universe Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 03 The Early Universe - Canvas pages Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
The Early Universe Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
The Early Universe Workshop (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Fate of the Universe - Canvas pages Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Fate of the Universe Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Fate of the Universe Workshop (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 14 (STUVAC) Revision and Preparation for final exam Individual study (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Canvas site for this unit.

Other resources

Extensive and reliable astronomy information is available on-line, beyond the materials and links presented on the Canvas pages.  Introductory astronomy textbooks at a suitable level (similar to the online text linked in the canvas pages) are available in the SciTech library. For example, a book we have used in the past is The Cosmic Perspective, Jeffrey O. Bennett (various editions).

Be aware that astronomy is a rapidly advancing field and, while all the basic information will be correct in older books and give you a good background, the latest information and perspectives that we embed in this unit may be missing.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the make-up and characteristics of the Milky Way and external galaxies
  • LO2. outline the essential elements of the Big Bang model
  • LO3. carry out simulations to understand how spectroscopy is used to measure redshift, and apply this to demonstrate how distance and the expansion of the universe are measured
  • LO4. outline the key pieces of evidence for the Big Bang model and the resulting history of universe
  • LO5. explain the significance of observational constraints in models of the universe that predict the existence of dark matter and dark energy
  • LO6. discuss the significance of modern cosmology to indigenous and modern astronomy, culture and our changing world view
  • LO7. carry out simple observations of the planets and stars using an optical telescope to illustrate the central role of observation in astronomy.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback and our experience has led to some changes in tutorial content and changes to the mark balance between various types of online quizzes and the final exam.

Equity, Access and Diversity statement

The School of Physics recognises that biases, bullying and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.


The School has three Equity Officers as a point of contact for students who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, bullied or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.


More information can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-access-diversity.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Disability
Services: https://sydney.edu.au/study/academic-support/disability-support.html who can help arrange support.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.