Course

Distance

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Methodology

    Distance Learning

  • Location

    Liverpool

Facilities

Location

Start date

Liverpool (Merseyside)
See map

Start date

On request

About this course

First degree in Science based subject OR currently teaching Science at GSCE level or above.

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Course programme

The Schools' Observatory is a major web based resource that allows students of all ages to use world-class astronomical telescopes sited around the world within the classroom. To make optimum use of this exciting new resource we are offering a new distance learning course, 'Astronomy for Teaching'. This course is designed to enable teachers to use the resources in the Schools' Observatory, both to enhance the teaching of the syllabus, and bring the latest breakthroughs in astronomy into the classroom. The course is accredited for a Certificate of Professional Development. It includes a CD-ROM, with exciting new materials which have been piloted in schools, as well as a wealth of other classroom resources suitable for A-level / Highers. Many of these resources are also appropriate for GSCE teaching.

Qualification gained:

A Certificate of Professional Development in Astronomy will be awarded for the successful completion of this module. This module is assigned 12 credit points which can be used to build up credits towards other academic qualifications at Liverpool John Moores University and other Universities.

We provide:

CD-ROM and necessary course software, full tutor support for the duration of the course (by post, email, telephone and fax), news group for student discussion and course website.

You need:

Good access to a computer with CD-ROM player (preferably running Windows). The computer needs to be able to run an Internet browser although you do not need to be connected to the Internet to take the course. You will need to be connected to the Internet to use some of the Schools' Observatory software, and this software will require a Windows PC.

Commitment:

The course lasts for four to nine months, finishing in June. You will be expected to produce two pieces of coursework (a lesson report and a reflective commentary on selected teaching resources) and then take a multiple-choice test over the Internet at the end of the course. Overall we expect that you will put around 120 hours of time into the course.

Assessment:

You will need to email, post or fax us your work for the course. The weighting for the assessed work will be as follows: Coureswork (70%), Multiple Choice Test (30%).
Cost for module:

Astronomy for Teachers is a single module course, and hence is worth 12 level one credits. Please see the main page here for the current prices. This course includes registration to the National Schools' Observatory (UK schools only).

Course Contents:

1: Sense of Scale
How big is the Universe? How long has the Universe been around? What are the differences between Astrology and Astronomy? What is the value of Astronomy in Science? In particular this session is an opportunity for people who are unfamiliar with computers to learn the use of a personal computer and to become accustomed to the world wide web.

2: A Universe of Colour
In this virtual exhibition & accompanying video Professor David Malin (Anglo-Australian Observatory) describes how the true colours of the Universe are revealed and what they mean. This section also includes the best images from the archive of the Hubble Space Telescope.

3: Ancient Astronomy
This chapter covers the modern view of Sun-Earth-Moon system, early civilisation's view of the Universe, the Geocentric model of the Universe, Greek cosmological theory.

4: The birth of 'modern' astronomy
Copernicus and the subsequent revolution in thought: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton and Einstein; the astronomical and technological revolutions.

5: The Earth in Space
This section includes the seasons, tides and phases of the Moon; eclipses, monitoring and communications satellites. Finding you way around the night sky; constellations and motion of the planets.

6: Modern Observatories
Details the underground, ground and space-based telescopes; professional multi-wavelength astronomy and the electromagnetic spectrum. Also includes information on the new Liverpool Robotic Telescope and the World Wide Web.

7: The Sun
Covers solar flares, sunspots and solar granulation along with the internal structure, composition and solar corona and wind of our nearest star. Also details the solar neutrino problem and the nature of solar energy.

8: The Solar System
This section details the inner 'rocky' planets and the outer gaseous worlds; comparing and contrasting the two. Also covers asteroids, comets, the formation and evolution of the solar system, along with planetary exploration and mining.

9: Cycles of Creation
The formation of stars and planets; the types of variable stars; stellar energy sources; the creation and evolution of stars. Stellar life cycles.

10: Stellar Remnants
Brown dwarfs, white dwarfs, neutron stars and pulsars, black holes, supernovae and dark matter candidates.

11: Practical Astronomy
Practical astrophotography, light, telescopes and detectors, positional astronomy, the magnitude system and naming conventions.

12: The Milky Way
Discussion of different components; chemical evolution; importance of dust; interstellar medium; galactic mass.

13: Topical Special

14: Cosmology
Why is the sky dark at night? The big bang and other cosmologies; thermal background radiation; the beginning of the Universe; formation of heavy elements; isotropy; homogeneity.

15: Galaxy Formation
Galaxy classification; dynamics of galaxies; gravitational lensing; black holes; inflation; quasars; the age of the Universe; missing mass; the fate of the Universe.

16: Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
How life might evolve on other worlds; prospects for interstellar travel; terraforming.

17: Relativity
Einstein's theory of relativity, including the effects of travelling close to the speed of light and of gravitational fields.

Additional information

Payment options:

Single module (12 credit) courses cost £130 (EU resident) or £260 (non EU resident) and double module (24 credit) courses cost £260 (EU resident) or £520 (non EU resident). These fees are inclusive of a bursary from Liverpool John Moores University. The fees include all course materials, computer software, and tutor support.

Astronomy for Teaching

Price on request