Program Overview

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Overview

The OLET1636: Astronomy: from Earth to Exoplanets unit of study introduces students to our rapidly changing understanding of the place of the Earth in a universe where we now know that planets are common. Students will learn about the characteristics and age of the Earth and other planets of the solar system and how they compare with exoplanets. The unit also covers the criteria for 'habitability' and the prospects for finding habitable worlds in the near future.

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
• Lecturer(s): Tim Bedding

Assessment

• Assignment: Observing Worksheet Report on night sky observing (10% weight, due on 21 Nov 2021 at 23:59, 4 pages)
• Final exam (Record+): Final online examination (50% weight, due on 03 Sep 2021 at 17:00, 1 hour)
• Tutorial quiz: Mini-quizzes embedded in online material (5% weight, weekly, 5 minutes)
• Tutorial quiz: Mastering Astronomy quizzes (10% weight, weekly, 30 minutes)
• Tutorial quiz: Review quizzes (10% weight, weekly, 30 minutes)
• Assignment: Tutorials (15% weight, weekly, 1 hour)

Assessment Summary

• Embedded quizzes: Comprehension of the online material will be tested by brief, automatically marked, multiple choice mini-quizzes.
• Mastering Astronomy quizzes: MA quizzes at the end of each week are designed to build 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.
• Tutorials: Students to individually submit results from the tutorial data exercise
• Report on observing session: A worksheet will be submitted with the report on night sky observing.
• Final examination: Online exam comprised of short answer questions that is required for a pass in this unit.

Assessment Criteria

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

• High distinction: 85 - 100 (Excellent understanding demonstrated in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; on-time completion of all aspects of the unit)
• Distinction: 75 - 84 (Good understanding demonstrated in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; on-time completion of all aspects of the unit)
• Credit: 65 - 74 (Acceptable understanding demonstrated 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 demonstrated 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 demonstrated in the end of week quizzes and the final exam; usually combined with lack of completion of some other aspects of the unit)

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.

Learning Support

• 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.
• 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.

Weekly Schedule

Week	Topic	Learning Activity	Learning Outcomes
Multiple weeks	Observing - single session	Practical (2 hr)	LO7
Week 03	The Solar System - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)	LO1 LO2
Week 03	The Solar System - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03	The Solar System - workshop	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)	LO1 LO2
Week 04	Criteria for habitable planets - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04	Criteria for habitable planets - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 04	Criteria for habitable planets - workshop	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05	Stretching the bounds of habitability - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05	Stretching the bounds of habitability - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 05	Stretching the bounds of habitability - workshop	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06	Exoplanet – the search for Earth 2.0 - Canvas pages	Online class (5 hr)	LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 06	Exoplanet – the search for Earth 2.0 - tutorial	Computer laboratory (1 hr)	LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06	Exoplanet – the search for Earth 2.0 - workshop	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)	LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 07	Revision and Preparation for final exam	Individual study (5 hr)	LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Learning Outcomes

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

• LO1: compare and contrast the make-up, characteristics and age of the planets, moons and smaller objects of the solar system
• LO2: summarise the characteristics of known exoplanets
• LO3: explain the methodology and techniques used to detect exoplanets and ultimately determine their composition
• LO4: carry out simulations to understand how exoplanet data is used
• LO5: outline current theories explaining the distribution of planets in exoplanet systems and contrast the formation of our solar system
• LO6: analyse the selection effects at work in current methods for detection of exoplanets and assess the resulting significance of data and conclusions to 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.

• GQ1: Depth of disciplinary expertise
• GQ2: Critical thinking and problem solving
• GQ3: Oral and written communication
• GQ4: Information and digital literacy
• GQ5: Inventiveness
• GQ6: Cultural competence
• GQ7: Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• GQ8: Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• GQ9: Influence

Responding to Student Feedback

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

• Student feedback and our experience with this unit has led to some recent changes in tutorial content.
• Times for submission of quizzes and tutorials will be reduced to encourage students to 'keep up' - and allow timely emails when they don't.
• The exam date will also be moved from the semester 2 final exam period to shortly after the face-to-face component of the unit finishes.

Additional Information

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