Course Descriptions

GEO 105 - Astronomy

3 Credits

An introduction to general astronomy. Topics include: solar system, stellar energy, stellar evolution, galaxies, the universe and constellation identification. Three class hours.

NOTE: This course meets SUNY General Education Natural Science and (Scientific Reasoning) SUNY-NSCI requirements when both GEO 105 and GEO 115 are successfully completed. GEO 115 may be taken concurrently or in a later semester, but will not have satisfied the SUNY-NSCI requirement until both GEO 115 and GEO 105 are successfully completed

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-NS - Natural Sciences (SNSC)

*NOTE: This course only meets SUNY General Education requirements when both GEO 105 and GEO 115 are successfully completed.*

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-SCI - Scientific Reasoning (MSCI)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Produce an accurate diagram of the Solar System.
2. Define the electromagnetic spectrum.
3. Apply Wien’s Law to determine relationships between wavelength and temperature.
4. Compare and contrast refracting and reflecting telescopes.
5. Use a star finder/planisphere to identify key locations in the night sky.
6. Explain the causes of eclipses and lunar phases.
7. Use the absolute and apparent magnitudes of a star to determine its distance.
8. Use Kepler's Second Law to determine the orbital radius or period of an object.
9. Classify different types of stars using a temperature-luminosity diagram.
10. Describe the physical features of the Sun.
11. Explain the process by which the Sun generates its heat.
12. Explain current theories regarding the fate of the Universe.
13. Describe the overall evolution of the Sun as a main sequence star.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Spring Semester 2024
Summer Session 2024