ASTRONOMY
101
Introductory
Astronomy
Scheduled Course Meeting: Monday and Wednesday evening,
Professor:
Planetarium
Manager:
Dr.
L. Kent Morrison
Mike
Sepulveda
Room
1115
Physics
& Astronomy Bldg.
NM
(NE
corner Yale and Lomas)
277-0433
(office)
841-5981
(office)
Internet:
lkm@unm.edu
Internet:
dvlbrd02@unm.edu
Office Hours:
By
appointment - please phone, email or see me. Wednesday evening after
class I
shall remain at the
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Astronomy
is a discipline based upon observation of the sky. It is an exciting
exploration that supports the notion that “the universe is not only
stranger
than we know; it is stranger than we can
know.” Because of its importance in founding society, astronomy
represents an
exploration undertaken by virtually every culture on the planet over
the last
10 millennia. Now we’ll take our turn at learning about the sky.
In
this course, using observations obtained with instruments ranging from
our eyes
to the most sophisticated ground- and space-based telescopes, we’ll
learn about
the objects we observe in the sky. Further, we’ll investigate the
universe of
these objects as a dynamic, evolving place. We’ll consider the
evolution of
stars and their planets, galaxies, and the universe itself. More
usefully,
perhaps, we’ll learn how scientists approach and solve problems,
because many
of these techniques usefully translate into problem-solving techniques
useful
in virtually any aspect of life.
All
you need to bring is a healthy curiosity about the universe, a
willingness to
learn, and the open mind, responsibility and dedication of a true
student.
Together
we’ll have fun exploring, thinking, observing and learning about
astronomy. I
hope to share with you some of my love for and excitement about this
most
universal (literally!) of sciences.
Class Format:
The
class format is based on lectures delivered in the domed theater of the
LodeStar Astronomy Center (LAC). We may
hold class in other areas of LAC, or even in other locations if the
opportunity
for unique learning presents itself. See SCHEDULE
at
<http://panda.unm.edu/courses/Morrison/ASTR101/ScheduleFall2006.htm>
Attendance. Do not miss class.
My
teaching and testing assume you are faithfully in class every
day. We will
cover topics that are not in the textbook and I will frequently bring
you up to
date with information from other sources such as journal articles.
Sometimes I find it necessary to change a test date or announce a
change
in course information. If you don't come to class or stay
connected
through a friend who is in class you will miss this important
information.
Please
participate in class by asking and answering questions. This is
difficult
to do in a large class (and intimidating for shy people like me), but
it makes
the class more interesting if I do not do all of the talking. If
I don't
hear any questions I may not know when to explain a confusing or
difficult
point in more detail
My Web Page for Astro 101: http://panda.unm.edu,
then go to “Classes” pull-down menu, “Astro 101-Morrison” for the
syllabus and
homework assignments page.
Textbook:
The
required textbook is UNIVERSE,
Seventh Edition, by Roger A. Freedman and William J. Kaufmann III, ISBN
0-7167-6889-5. It is available at the UNM Bookstore. Note that this
text
includes the Universe 7.0 CD-ROM and web-based learning activities that
are
engaging and useful for understanding key concepts.
The
lectures will follow the text, though I’ll also introduce additional
material
that might give new or different perspectives or the latest breaking
news in
astronomy. Please, read your book regularly
– stay ahead of the lectures,
and your learning experience and test preparation will benefit.
We
will not, however, cover all of the material in the text, nor will we
always
explore in great depth all of the material we do cover – there simply
isn’t
enough time in the semester for this. I selected this book because it
is very
inclusive of the latest developments in astronomy, and covers topics in
sufficient depth that individuals can explore further on their own.
This book
provides a depth of understanding typical of someone interested in
perhaps
entering astronomy or other of the natural sciences as a career. This
comprehensive text costs only a few dollars more than a limited version.
If
we collectively do our jobs during this semester, many of you will end
up
reading this book from cover to cover and using the software resources
long
after the class is completed.
Homework:
The
homework consists of questions from the WebAssign
<http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Morrison/ASTR101/RegisteringwithWebAssign.htm>
an internet based website. The
homework assigned will have relevance to the tests upon which grades
will be
based, so students who do well on homework will have an advantage
during the
tests. In addition to your textbook,
you will need to purchase a WebAssign card from the bookstore. For WebAssign information see the "Homework
Assignments" section of the class website...you are reading the
syllabus
section now, back out of this and choose "Homework Assignments". In addition, I will pass out instructions for
using WebAssign during the first several class meetings.
You are also responsible for knowing the
meaning of many of the bold terms in the reading (see homework
assignments for
further information about bold terms). To register for the online
WebAssign system you will need to use a computer (there are computer
pods
around the campus for UNM students to use) and have a UNM Web address.
I will
set up an account for you so you can do your homework on line at
WebAssign. See the "homework
assignments" section of my website for information on how to do this.
Warning:
If you have problems getting to the homework assignments in
WebAssign, let me know right away. Don’t
wait until later in the course. Homework assignments will be
due each
week You can submit your answers in
WebAssign and get immediate feedback on your answers.
You will have five (5) chances to change your
answers. After the due date for the
assignment, WebAssign will post the answers for you to see.
Tests:
Most
of the test questions come from the homework and/or textbook. There will be a total of four tests, upon
which will be based the majority of your grade. There will be three
tests given
during the semester. The tentative
schedule for these hour-long tests is 20 Sep, 25 Oct, and 22 Nov. Note that the exact dates of these tests
can
and will change. It is your responsibility to attend class to ensure
that you
know when the tests will actually be given!
The
final examination is scheduled for Monday, 11 Dec at 7:45 PM
– 9:45
PM at the
Grading:
Grades
will be given based on the exams and other assignments. Unannounced
quizzes may be given and counted
for credit towards the grade. If the UNM
observatory is made available this semester, you can spend some time
observing
while earning extra credit. I will tell
you about this opportunity later.
Grades
for the course will be assigned on the basis of the percentage of
correctly
answered questions on the tests. Plus/minus grades will be used, as
necessary. I also reserve the right to
“curve” grades to
ensure that testing is conducted at a level appropriate to learning.
“Curving”
cannot lower your grade, it can only improve it, and the curve is
applied only
at the end of the semester. Continuous, significant improvement
throughout the
semester will also warrant a higher grade.
Missed Tests:
We
know that emergencies can and do occur. If you must miss a test, please
let me
know as soon as possible, but before the date of the test (if
possible). There
are no makeup tests for the first three hour exams. The test you miss
will be
the lowest, thus the one that is discarded for grading purposes.
Comments:
This
course will be successful for me if you
are successful. My purpose is to do the best job I can at enabling your
understanding of the content, physical laws and evolution that created
the
universe we can observe. I also want to expose you to the techniques
used by
scientists, because critical thinking, skepticism and the ability to
reason
logically and quantitatively are extremely useful traits applicable in
virtually any career.
We
have responsibilities relative to each other. Perhaps the most
important is
communication. If you are having problems with the course, its content,
or the
professor, you need to speak to me about it immediately. The vast
majority of
problems are easily solved if addressed honestly and immediately. I
shall treat
you as a class and as individuals in the same honest and respectful
manner, and
I’m confident we shall have a very productive semester.
Finally,
I believe that learning is fun. Research is fun. Discovery is fun.
Astronomy is
fun. I encourage you to discover the fun in what we do during this
course. And
believe me, I am always interested in talking about the positive
aspects of
this course and the universally engaging science we are addressing.