Introduction to the Solar System
Astronomy 1010 Spring 2005
Tues & Thurs
Room 203 GCB
Instructor: Ms. Erika Grundstrom (please call me Ms. Grundstrom)
My research has included radio galaxies,
active galaxies, large rapidly rotating
stars and
stellar spectroscopy :)
Course Website: http://www.chara.gsu.edu/~erika/Lecture
Textbook Website: http://astro.prenhall.com/chaisson
Office
Hours: Before and after class I will
be in the classroom at least one half-hour before class starts (earlier can be
arranged) and at least one half-hour after class ends (for those who dont have
to rush straight to lab)
By Appointment I am on
campus much of the day, just contact me
Contact Information: e-mail: erika@chara.gsu.edu phone: 404-651-1271
office:
Feel
free to e-mail me questions about whatever I check often.
But
please come talk to me in person or at least call me on the phone if you must
miss class or a
test for some reason. I do not think
well of just e-mail in such cases.
Required Texts: Astronomy Today (5th Edition)
by Chaisson & McMillan
Lecture Tutorials for Introductory
Astronomy by Adams, Prather & Slater
Astronomy: A Laboratory Textbook
by
Required Equipment: Calculator (a
cellular phone is not acceptable)
Ruler
(30 centimeters) Protractor Drawing Compass
Important Dates:
Friday,
March 4 Last day to withdraw with a W
Monday,
March 7 through Friday, March 13 NO CLASSES Spring Break
Thursday,
April 28 Last day of class
Exams:
There
will be 4 tests and one final exam.
One
test grade will be dropped (it CANNOT be the final) and therefore, no
make-ups will be given.
You are encouraged to take all 4 tests so that your poorest score can be
dropped.
Final
Exam - Tuesday, May 3 at
EVERYONE
must take the final exam.
General information:
Astronomy is a simply fascinating subject
it has been actively studied since the advent of humankind. The invention of the telescope took astronomy
into a whole new realm away from strictly naked-eye observing to an in-depth
science. Personally, I feel the main
goal of this course is to impart you with knowledge you can use every day, be
it in reference to the night sky or to astronomical objects or to scientific
thinking in general. In fact, an
appreciation of scientific thinking and exposure to it is why you are required
to take a science in the first place.
Astronomy 1010 is the first of a
two-semester lecture plus laboratory course.
In 1010, we will cover the basics of astronomy including observing the
night sky (with the naked-eye and the telescope), physical laws of motion, light,
telescopes and also provide a survey of our very own Solar System. The companion to this course (Astronomy 1020)
will discuss stars, galaxies and the Universe.
Things you should be aware of:
Most students find that in order to
succeed in an astronomy course, they must devote 4 to 6 hours per week (outside
of class and lab time) to textbook reading and reviewing class notes. The textbook website also has very
interesting supplemental activities.
For
the benefit of your fellow students and your instructors, you are expected to practice common courtesy with regard
to all course interactions. For example:
- Show up to class on time
- Do not talk when you should be listening
- Do not leave class early, and do not rustle
papers in preparation to leave before class
is dismissed
- Be attentive in class: stay awake, dont
read newspapers, etc.
- If you must be late or leave early on any
particular day, please inform me in advance
- Turn off the ringer on your cell phone or
pager. Those who allow their electronic
device to make noise will receive a penalty affecting their
grade
Students
who do not practice common courtesy should expect their grades to be
reduced substantially.
I will not tolerate cheating, and I expect you to be familiar with the Policy
on Academic Honesty, Section 1380 of the Undergraduate Catalog and to abide
by it. Cheating will earn you a definite zero on whatever assignment or test
you cheat on, and the penalties can be substantially more severe.
We will be doing many in-class
activities. There will be test questions
that are very similar to those in the activities, so keep careful notes on why
you answer what you answer and use them for study.
I am always willing to take constructive
criticism in reference to my course. If
you would like to mention something you really liked or really disliked or
something you think would be helpful, please talk to me or e-mail me or write
an anonymous note :)
Schedule:
|
|
Subjects |
Chapters |
Tentative Test Date |
|
Part 1 |
The Night Sky, Moon Phases, Eclipses |
1 and
Lecture Tutorials |
Tuesday,
February 1 |
|
Part 2 |
History, Planetary Motion, Light, Telescopes |
2 - 5 |
Tuesday,
February 22 |
|
Part 3 |
The Inner Solar System |
15, 6 - 10 |
Tuesday,
March 29 |
|
Part 4 |
The Outer Solar System |
11 - 14 |
Thursday,
April 25 |
|
Part 5 |
Life, Other Solar Systems |
28, 15 |
FINAL Tuesday,
May 3 (cumulative
/ comprehensive) |
More
specifics will be given in class and on the course website.
Grade
Determination:
Reading
Quizzes and Participation / Attendance: 10%
Homework
Assignments, Observing Project, Portfolio:
15%
Laboratory
Component: 25%
Best
3 of 4 Tests: 30%
Final
Exam: 20%
To get a grade of: You need a percentage of:
A 100
90
B 89 80
C 79 70
D 69 60
F 59 and below
This
grading system may need to be modified, but it will never be modified to hurt you; that is to
say that the cut-off percentages can go down, but never go up.
Reading
Quizzes and Participation / Attendance (10%):
Since class time will be spent primarily
on deep understanding, it is imperative that you read the textbook. At the end of every class, I will display the
reading assignment for the next lecture and I will also put it on the
website. By
Again, since in-class time will be spent
helping you to understand what the readings are trying to say, attendance AND
participation while in class will also be part of your grade. There will be a sign-in sheet during every
class period. I do hope that you will
find your in-class time enjoyable and fulfilling and so everyone will get 100%
of these points :)
Homework Assignments, Observing Project,
Portfolio: 15%
There will be occasional homework
assignments throughout the semester I will notify you of them with ample time
for completion (they may include problem sets, short writing assignments, web
exercises, etc.).
I plan to assign an observing project
you may choose from several we will discuss these later.
At the end of the term, you will gather
various pertinent items into a portfolio to exhibit what you have done over the
course of the semester. We will discuss
these in greater detail later.
Laboratory Component (25%):
When you signed up for lecture, you also
signed up for lab these labs start Tuesday, January 18. DO NOT change sections without first talking
to me AND to the lab instructors affected.
These labs are mandatory because if you
get less than 50% of the points in lab, you automatically fail the class
(even if you have 100% otherwise).
A warning and a promise:
The
warning: Astronomy is a demanding
course. We will cover many important
concepts from physics, and we will occasionally use some simple mathematics
(nothing beyond high school algebra).
The course will move quickly , and each new
topic will build upon concepts covered previously. If you fall behind at any time, you will find
it extremely difficult to get caught back up.
The
promise: Few topics have inspired
humans throughout the ages so much as the mysteries of the heavens. This class offers you the opportunity to
explore these mysteries in depth, learning both about our tremendous modern
understanding of the universe and about the mysteries that remain. If you work hard and learn the material well,
this class will be one of the most rewarding classes of your college career.
Contact information for other students in
class:
Name:
____________________________________
Contact:
____________________________________
Name:
____________________________________
Contact:
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Name:
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Contact:
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