GCSE Astronomy

Astronomy
GCSE Click here for an updated course leaflet
Who is the course for?
The course is for anyone who has looked up at a starry sky in wonder and wanted to know more about our place in the universe. Astronomy is often thought of as star gazing" but that's only part of it. It's one of the oldest sciences and yet astronomers are continually visiting new worlds, making new discoveries and exploring phenomena such as black holes, the Big Bang and the possibility of other life forms. It can be studied as a leisure interest or part of a career pathway.

What is the course about?
We will start off with a few weeks introduction in which we will do a whistle-stop tour of our earth, the solar system, the milky way and the universe. After that we will follow the modules in the Astronomy GCSE syllabus, and anyone wishing to take the exam in June 2007 can do so. The modules are:

Planet Earth - The Earth and its atmosphere, days and seasons
The Moon and the Sun - The moon, tides, the Sun and eclipses
The Solar System - Planets, asteroids, meteors and comets
Stars and Galaxies - constellations, stars and their life cycles, galaxies
Observing Techniques and Space Exploration - observing and exploring our solar system, galaxy and the universe

As part of the course we will have a trip to Pex Hill Observatory in Widnes, and use their professional telescope to view the skies and see what we have been learning about in the classroom.

Will I need anything else?
No specialist equipment required.

How long & often do I attend?
The class will take place on a Tuesday Evening at the Runcorn campus at 6.30-9.00pm from September until June

How will I be assessed?
During the course homework will be set at the end of each module, and we will have few weeks towards the end of the course to practise past on papers. As part of your final mark you need to submit two pieces of coursework (eg sketching the moon or some constellations, or constructing a simple sundial), but I will give you plenty of guidance with this. In addition to the coursework there is a two hour exam in June.

What opportunities will this lead to?
Not Provided