Understanding Our Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy



Overview

Take a journey from the Earth and planets of the Solar System to the stars of the Milky Way and beyond, to the distant galaxies and the edge of the observable universe, while learning about the processes that govern the universe in which we live.

This course is a conceptual and descriptive exploration of our universe. The latest ideas and findings will be introduced with a minimal amount of mathematical content in order to make these topics accessible to all those interested. 

The course will describe the basic layout of the observable universe and our place within it. It will make clear the nature and distribution of planets, stars and galaxies while emphasising important examples such as the Earth (our planet), the Sun (our star) and the Milky Way (our galaxy). It will introduce the principles and processes that determine the nature and evolution of each of these bodies and hence of the observable universe as a whole.

The course will also explore the history of astronomical discovery and the exciting prospects for the future of space and planetary exploration.

Programme details

Courses starts: 22 Sept 2023

Week 0: Course Orientation.

Week 1: Introduction: Our Place in the Universe - scales in space and time.

Week 2: Signals from Space - tools and techniques for exploring the observable Universe.

Week 3: Earth, Moon and Sun - our planet, its natural satellite, and their local star.

Week 4: The Inner Solar System - the terrestrial planets and the asteroid belt.

Week 5: The Outer Solar System - the giant planets, the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud.

Week 6: Stars and their Properties - how big, how far, how hot, how bright?

Week 7: The Lives of Stars: how stars are born and age.

Week 8: The Death of Stars - white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.

Week 9: Galaxies: The Milky Way and Beyond.

Week 10: Cosmology. The big bang to the edge of the observable universe.

Certification

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Suman Chowdhury

Dr Suman Chowdhury holds a doctorate in geophysics from the University of Oxford, and has broad expertise in ground and space based remote sensing methods. His field experience includes the geophysical  survey of the Chicxulub asteroid impact crater in Mexico. 

Dr Chowdhury is a Fellow of both the Geological Society and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Course aims

To provide a conceptual and descriptive understanding of the physical objects and processes that determine the  nature and extent of the observable universe of planets, stars and galaxies.

Course objectives:

The primary objectives for this course are as follows:

  • To provide a basic knowledge of the scale and layout of the observable universe in time and space.
  • To provide a basic knowledge of the principles and processes (particularly those involving matter, radiation and gravitation) that determine the nature and evolution of planets, stars and galaxies.
  • To provide a basic knowledge of the historical development of astronomy and planetary science that reflects our increasing knowledge of planets, stars and galaxies in the context of an expanding universe.

Teaching methods

  • Presentations on Microsoft Powerpoint.
  • Use of video presentations.
  • Use of animations.
  • Class or group discussions/activities.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • be able to describe the basic layout of the observable universe, our place within it, and the growth of our knowledge about it;
  • describe the main physical constituents of the observable universe (planets, stars and galaxies) and the basic principles and processes that determine their nature and evolution;
  • describe in greater detail some specific examples of these constituents including the Earth (our planet), the Sun (our star) and the Milky Way (our galaxy).

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

We will close for enrolments 7 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (7 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

The course will cover the basic material and references will be provided for further reading. Books and articles are expected to be available at local libraries, at the Dept for Continuing Education Library at Rewley House, or online. Students may also purchase books for self-study.

Assignment questions are designed to reinforce taught concepts, and will not include mathematical problems at this level.

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support