Sample SAO Study Guides

Explore the SAO learning experience

Each Swinburne Astronomy Online (SAO) unit is supported by a detailed study guide that introduces the weekly topics, recommended readings, assessment activities and learning objectives. These sample study guides provide a glimpse of the depth and structure of the material studied by SAO students.

The examples below are from previous offerings of SAO units. While the specific weekly schedules and assessment details may change, they illustrate the style and level of material encountered throughout the program.

For more information about how SAO is delivered, including online learning, interaction with instructors and assessment, see our How SAO Works page.

Sample Unit Study Guides

AST80005/HET602 -- AST80004/HET603 -- AST80006/HET624 -- AST80003/HET625
AST80018/HET606 -- AST80008/HET607 -- AST80002/HET609
AST80017/HET610 -- AST80016/HET611 -- AST80012/HET612 --
AST80013/HET615 -- AST80011/HET617 -- AST80001/HET618
AST80014/HET619 -- AST80015/HET620

AST80005/HET602 - Exploring the Solar System
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)

AST80004/HET603 - Exploring Stars and the Milky Way
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)


AST80006/HET624 - Galaxies and their place in the Universe
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)


AST80003/HET625 - Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)


AST80018/HET606 - Professional Tools for Astronomical Observation
(Study Guide from Semester 2, 2013)


AST80008/HET607 - History of Astronomy
(Study Guide from Semester 2, 2013)


AST80002/HET609 - Astrophotography and CCD Imaging
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)

AST80017/HET610 - Space Exploration
(Study Guide from Semester 2, 2013)


AST80016/HET611 - Stellar Astrophysics
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)


AST80012/HET612 - MP: History of Astronomy
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)



AST80013/HET615 - MP: Observational Astronomy
(Study Guide from Semester 2, 2013)


AST80011/HET617 - MP: Computational Astrophysics
(Study Guide from Semester 2, 2013)


AST80001/HET618 - Astrobiology and the Origins of Life
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2008)

Note: Future semesters of AST80001 will not include an essay


AST80014/HET619 - MP: Astronomy and Astrophysics
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)


AST80015/HET620 - Planetary Science
(Study Guide from Semester 1, 2014)