PHSI170 Sun, Earth and Universe

This non-advancing paper progresses in a largely descriptive way through the essentials of our understandings of the Sun-Earth system, and its place in the wider Universe. Lecture topics include ancient and classical astronomy, stellar evolution, black holes, cosmology, and the exploration of the solar system. The importance of historical aspects and the progressive development of ideas is emphasised, with a minimum of mathematics.

Special topics included are: "the size and age of the universe", "the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence" and "what would be the effect of a large meteor impact on the Earth?" This paper is intended for students who have an interest in a broad education. We aim to facilitate a continuing interest in astronomy and space exploration.

Paper title	Sun, Earth and Universe
Paper code	PHSI170
Subject	Physics
EFTS	0.15
Points	18 points
Teaching period	Summer School (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,092.15
International Tuition Fees	Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Schedule C

Science

Contact

craig.rodger@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professor Craig Rodger

Dr Jonathan Squire

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation. View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing this paper will:

1. Be aware of the essential aspects of our understanding of the wider Universe.
2. Know the importance of historical aspects and the progressive development of ideas.
3. Grasp the range of scale sizes and numerical values needed to describe astronomical scales of time, space and mass.

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Introduction to modern astronomy with a minimum of mathematics, exploring the Sun-Earth system and our place in the universe. Topics include the history of astronomy, stellar evolution, planets, and cosmology.

Special topics included are: "the size and age of the universe", "the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence" and "what would be the effect of a large meteor impact on the Earth?" This paper is intended for students who have an interest in a broad education. We aim to facilitate a continuing interest in astronomy and space exploration.

Paper title	Introduction to Astronomy
Paper code	PHSI170
Subject	Physics
EFTS	0.15
Points	18 points
Teaching period	Summer School (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,110.75
International Tuition Fees	Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Schedule C

Science

Notes

This paper is not a prerequisite for Physics 200-Level major subject requirements.

Contact

craig.rodger@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professor Craig Rodger

Dr Jonathan Squire

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation. View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing this paper will:

1. Be aware of the essential aspects of our understanding of the wider universe
2. Know the importance of historical aspects and the progressive development of ideas
3. Grasp the range of scale sizes and numerical values needed to describe astronomical scales of time, space and mass

^ Top of page