Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/445952
14 UCW JANUARY 14-20, 2015
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
When was the last time you just stared up at the night sky and felt the
awe and amazement of the most beautiful object ever made? Fayetteville
Technical Community College's Science Division is, for the first time, offer-
ing astronomy classes starting January 2015. The
first astronomy course will be offered in a hybrid
version – AST 151 and AST 151A. This low-stress
hybrid course meets once a week for star-gazing and
laboratory experiences, while the lecture part of the
class will be online. The hybrid course offers students
f lexibility and accommodates their hectic schedules.
Many students in the past have expressed interest
in astronomy courses, so we at FTCC are pleased to
make this a reality.
The astronomy course will be taught by Dr.
Terrence Maher who joined the Physical Science
Department at FTCC in 2010 after receiving his doc-
torate from North Carolina State University. Maher
is looking forward to bringing his discovery-based
learning model to the astronomy classroom. FTCC
students were able to get their first experience with
astronomy at FTCC's Science Friday presentation,
"How Big is Big?" held on November 14. Maher gave
students an opportunity to recreate the solar system. Students actually
became scale models in the solar system by representing all of the planets.
According to Maher, the idea was to introduce to students how large the
solar system truly is and to help them experience the significance of outer
space.
Astronomy can also be used to fulfill the natural science requirement for
the associate of science as well as the associate of arts degrees. Students
in the associate of science program need multiple hours of natural science
courses, so the availability of astronomy now provides options in addition
to biology, chemistry and physics. Astronomy is recognized as a Universal
General Education Transfer Component Course (UGETC) as part of the
2014 Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the North Carolina
Community College System and the University
of North Carolina System, which is great news
for FTCC students. By taking the astronomy
course, students are assured that the course
will transfer and count as a natural science
course if transferring to a UNC school. The
course is also open to students outside of the
associate of science or associate of arts degree
programs. So, anyone interested in taking an
intellectually stimulating, fun and engaging
course should consider taking astronomy (AST
151 and AST 151A) at FTCC.
In addition to astronomy, the Physical Science
department has recently added another course
– Conceptual Physics (PHY 110). According to
Maher, if science has never been your thing but
you still wonder why things work the way they
do, then take this course. Through the class,
you can learn why objects all fall at the same
rate at the earth's surface, how water can boil at room temperature or why
there are large cylinders on the power poles outside your home. Conceptual
Physics (PHY 110) is offered as a hybrid course format to provide students
more f lexibility with class scheduling.
Please visit us or our website (fay-
techcc.edu) to learn more about the
exciting opportunities available at
FTCC.
CAMERON HARMON, Division
Chair, FTCC Sciences, Contribut-
ing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@
upandcomingweekly.com.
IN THE MORNING
Weekdays
5:30AM to 10:00AM
FTCC to Offer Astronomy Classes Spring Semester 2015
by CAMERON HARMON
Bold Faced Liars' Showdown
Featuring the most impressive roster of flashy fibbers, fish tale tellers, and
big old phonies to ever appear on a single stage! Join us for a day of side
spli