Odysseus Logo

Virginia Tech

PHYS-1055: Introduction to Astronomy

Description: Survey course of astronomy topics ranging from the solar system to the universe, with Application of evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, and use of theoretical models and observations. 1055 has a focus on the solar system: apparent sky motions, telescopes, matter and radiation, properties of the planets, structure and evolution of the solar system, cultural and intercultural aspects that influenced the understanding of the solar system, climate change as a Global challenge. 1056 has a focus on the universe: stars, star formation, stellar evolution, organization of the Milky Way Galaxy, galaxies, quasars, structure and evolution of the universe, cosmological models, cultural and intercultural aspects of the development of astronomical thought, life in the universe.

Pathways: 4 Reasoning in Natural Sci., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Course Hours: 3 credits

Prerequisites: N/A

Required By: N/A

Corequisites: N/A

Crosslist: N/A

Repeatability: N/A

Sections Taught: 11

Average GPA: 3.68 (rounds to A-)

Strict A Rate (No A-) : 71.24%

Average Withdrawal Rate: 1.12%

Brandon E Bear202486.1%10.1%2.2%0.2%0.7%0.7%3.817
Keith P Nelson202141.1%31.3%20.5%3.0%1.9%2.2%3.081
Christopher J Ashall202473.2%16.1%5.9%0.9%2.1%1.8%3.593

Grade Distribution Over Time

1234GPA
Fall 2019Summer I 2020Fall 2020Summer I 2021Fall 2021Summer I 2022Fall 2022Summer I 2023Fall 2023Summer I 2024Fall 2024Term050% W