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Online Course

Astronomy: Discovering the Universe

Curtin University via Open2Study

560
Found in Astronomy
Go to class
  • Provider Open2Study
  • Cost Free Online Course
  • Session Finished
  • Language English
  • Duration 4 weeks long
  • Learn more about MOOCs

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Overview

What was the Big Bang? How do black holes work? Could there be life elsewhere in the Universe? In this course we’ll address those topics, as well as gaining some insight into how great scientific discoveries were made, and what's involved in scientific research.

We'll also look at the vital role that new technology plays in scientific discoveries. We'll talk to scientists about their role in the development of largest telescope in the history of astronomy: the Square Kilometre array.

What will I learn?
  • How people over the ages have tried to understand the world around them
  • How we have developed our current picture of the Universe
  • What the Universe looks like on different scales - from the Earth and the Solar System right up to the largest-scale structure of the universe
  • Key theories in astronomy and the key individuals behind them
  • How the universe has evolved and what new discoveries we are finding through the use of new technologies
  • Some insight into the big questions we hope to find answers for, such as whether we are alone in the universe

This course requires approximately 2 - 4 hours of study per week, but can vary depending on the student. This includes watching videos, and taking quizzes and assessments.

If you pass this course you'll receive a Certificate of Achievement. While this certificate isn't a formal qualification or credit, you can use it to demonstrate your interest in learning about this area to potential employers or educational institutions.

Where could this lead me?

If you're wondering what your future could look like in this area, here are some potential careers you could head towards.

  • Astronomer

Syllabus

MODULE 1: GREAT DISCOVERIES IN ASTRONOMY
    
MODULE 2: UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE: HOW WE DO SCIENCE
    
MODULE 3: BUILDING THE WORLD'S LARGEST SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
    
MODULE 4: ANSWERING BIG QUESTIONS WITH THE SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY

Taught by

Dr John Morgan

Reviews for Open2Study's Astronomy: Discovering the Universe Based on 12 reviews

  • 5 stars 25%
  • 4 stars 42%
  • 3 stars 25%
  • 2 star 8%
  • 1 star 0%

Did you take this course? Share your experience with other students.

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  • 1
Anonymous
Anonymous is taking this course right now.
It's an okay course in terms of material. But I do feel it's a bit on the cheap side. Most learners excel using the audio visual method. With that said there has been no use of 'cgi whatsoever or other very inexpensive technological features to make this course more interesting and user friendly. To have an English bloke standing in front of the screen video after video without any exciting schematics or videos is really really boring!
2 people found
this review helpful
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Sheri H
Sheri completed this course, spending 3 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
Dr. John Morgan was an engaging teacher. Great intro to Astronomy class. You don't need a physics background for this class. Good class to take if you are not sure if you will like the subject.
1 person found
this review helpful
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Melissa R
Melissa completed this course, spending 1 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be easy.
A very good introductory course with no physics background needed. The lecturer spoke in an easy-to-understand language, with all the jargons explained. It's also fun to know how Ph.D candidates explained their projects, such as researching black holes and extraterrestrial lives.
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CS
Charlie S
by Charlie completed this course, spending 1 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be easy.
This is a beginner course in astronomy. It's probably too short for those in the field even as amateurs. But it certainly does whet the appetite to dig for more information. I would say enjoyable but wish there had been more detail on topics for each of the 4 week.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
MM
Maboroshi M
by Maboroshi completed this course, spending 1 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
A bit boring. Many topics are involved however are not explained in detail, so much confusion is generated... I think that's not fitted for a beginner to astronomy.
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MA
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  • 1

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