GEC 252 ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE (2 Credits)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr N. PALALANI; OFFICE: 246/S210
Course Synopsis:
Introduction to Astronomy: The solar system, Stars, Galaxies, The universe, Distance measurement in
astronomy; The Expansion of the Universe: Analysing light from stars, Doppler effect, Spectral red
shift, The Hubble constant; The Big Bang: The age of the universe, Age from its expansion, Age from
the oldest stars, Age from the oldest atoms, Half life of U 235, U238, Th232, Rh187; The remnant of the Big
Bang at 3K; The formation of the universe: First few minutes, Formation of stars and galaxies,
Formation of interstellar material and planets.
Recommended Text(s).
E. Chaisson and S. McMillan, 2001. Astronomy- A beginner’s guide to the Universe. 4th edition with
CD Rom, Prentice Hall, 2003
Faculty Science
Department Physics
Code GEC 252
Title Origins of the Universe
Credits 2
Type General Education Course
Semester in which the course is taught (1 or 2) 2
Mode of Examination Continuous Assessment and Examination on a ratio of
1:1
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Other Resources WebCT
Aims and Learning Objectives
This course aims to introduce astronomy to students who have taken no previous college science
courses and who will not likely to major in science. This course presents a broad view of astronomy,
straight forwardly descriptive and without complex mathematics. The course relies on qualitative
reasoning and teaches the astronomical phenomena and objects comparing with everyday experiences
familiar to the student.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to: understand the birth of the Universe, Solar system
and stars; learn fundamental techniques in measuring the distances and size in astronomy; improved
their life long learning by independently search for information using various techniques including the
internet.
Course Outline
Week(s) TOPIC
1-2 Introduction to Astronomy: The solar system, Stars
3-4 The Universe: Distance measurement in astronomy; Expansion; Analysing light from stars
5-6 Doppler effect, Spectral red shift, The Hubble constant
7 Revision
8-9 The Big Bang: The age of the universe, its expansion, Half life of U 235, U238, Th232, Rh187
10-11 The formation of the universe: First few minutes, Formation of stars and galaxies
12-13 Formation of interstellar material and planets.
14 Revision
UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
GEC 252 ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE (2 Credits)
Aims and Learning Objectives
This course aims to introduce astronomy to students who have taken no previous college science
courses and who will not likely to major in science. This course presents a broad view of astronomy,
straight forwardly descriptive and without complex mathematics. The course relies on qualitative
reasoning and teaches the astronomical phenomena and objects comparing with everyday experiences
familiar to the student.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to: understand the birth of the Universe, Solar system
and stars; learn fundamental techniques in measuring the distances and size in astronomy; improved
their life long learning by independently search for information using various techniques including the
internet.
Course Synopsis:
Introduction to Astronomy: The solar system, Stars, Galaxies, The universe, Distance measurement in
astronomy; The Expansion of the Universe: Analysing light from stars, Doppler effect, Spectral red
shift, The Hubble constant; The Big Bang: The age of the universe, Age from its expansion, Age from
the oldest stars, Age from the oldest atoms, Half life of U 235, U238, Th232, Rh187; The remnant of the Big
Bang at 3K; The formation of the universe: First few minutes, Formation of stars and galaxies,
Formation of interstellar material and planets.
Course Outline
Week(s) TOPIC
1-2 Introduction to Astronomy: The solar system, Stars
3-4 The Universe: Distance measurement in astronomy; Expansion; Analysing light from stars
5-6 Doppler effect, Spectral red shift, The Hubble constant
7 Revision
8-9 The Big Bang: The age of the universe, its expansion, Half life of U 235, U238, Th232, Rh187
10-11 The formation of the universe: First few minutes, Formation of stars and galaxies
12-13 Formation of interstellar material and planets.
14 Revision
ASSESMENT DETAILS
FINAL MARK = EXAM + CA (2 tests & 2 Assignments)
Ratios; TESTS : ASSIGNMENTS CA : EXAM
30% : 20% 50% : 50%
Recommended Text(s).
E. Chaisson and S. McMillan, 2001. Astronomy- A beginner’s guide to the Universe. 4th edition with
CD Rom, Prentice Hall, 2003
TEST 1: Date to be announced. (WRITTEN DURING CLASS)
TEST 2; (Date TO BE ANNOUNCED) (WRITTEN DURING CLASS)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr N. PALALANI;
OFFICE: 246/S210
