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Astronomy, like all sciences, evolves; the skills that a student must acquire must also evolve. The majority of astronomy majors do not become professional astronomers; they do, however, find employment in a variety of STEM fields.  Data analysis and numerical computation are now ubiquitous in astronomy; undergraduate curricula have been slower to train students in a systematic fashion in these skills. At Michigan State University, astronomy students are required to complete a senior thesis. We have been dissatisfied with the preparation of students for longer, open-ended research projects, such as that of a typical two-semester research project. Moreover, astronomy, like other STEM fields, is increasingly collaborative. Skills such as communication and project management are an essential component of a student's education.  Another motivation for redesigning AST 208 is that this course is the first rigorous course in the astronomy major. The prerequisite course, AST 207, serves as more of a broad survey over the entire field, whereas AST 208 contains a laboratory (observing) component and explores in more depth planetary science. Traditionally the course followed its title---\emph{Planets and Telescopes}---with the lecture devoted to planetary science and the lab devoted to observing. We felt that a tighter integration of the lecture and lab would serve the students better.