Introduction to Astronomy
A101 Section 002
Fall 2002
MW 2:00 – 3: 15 p.m.
Regener Hall
Room 103
Course Syllabus
Office Hours: Regener Hall Room 109 MW 1:30 – 2:00 p.m., MW 3:15 – 3:45
p.m.
Phone:
Email:
Course Description: This is an introductory
course on astronomy. We will survey the field of astronomy in two ways. First,
we will review the progress in the science of astronomy from a historical
perspective. This will include ancient civilizations and their perspective on
the stars to modern cosmological theory. Second, we will review the objects of
astronomical study starting with the closest objects – Earth and Moon – and
ending with the farthest known objects – Quasars. Finally, we will discuss the
issues involved in the possibility of other life in the universe from a
scientific, even mathematical, perspective. The objective of the course in
two-fold: 1) To gain an appreciation for our (Humankind’s) place in the
universe, and 2) To help build the skills needed for critical thinking and
analysis, whether it be about astronomy or your credit card account. We will
obtain these objectives by providing the mathematical and scientific background
needed for each astronomical topic as it is presented. Examples will be
presented that will support these concepts. Tests will be given to reinforce
the meaning of these concepts and ensure the acquisition of a new scientific
vocabulary.
Textbook: Chaisson, Eric and
McMillan, Steve, “Astronomy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe”, 3rd
edition, Prentice Hall, 2001.
Attendance Policy: Attendance to lectures is critical to your success. Attendance is mandatory during tests. Make-up tests will be given ONLY with PRIOR and PROPER documentation. Proper documentation will ensure an excused absence: severe illness, injury, accident, or death in the immediate family. (E.g. Notify me before the test that you are ill and give me a doctor’s note when you come back, Notify me before the test that have been involved in a traffic accident and give me a copy of the police report when you come back.)
Behavior Policy:
1. Be polite. Raise your hand if you wish to ask a question. Stay on the topic being discussed. Wait, if you can, to ask your questions. I will ask for questions at specific times during lecture.
2. No ringing cell phones or pagers. (It is too disruptive otherwise.) Turn them off. If absolutely necessary, put them on silent ring.
3. Be fair. Do your own work. No cheating. Cheating or plagiarism is defined as “to take or copy another person’s work and claim it is yours.”
Grading Policy: There will be four (4) tests. Each will be 25% of your final grade. The fourth test will be scheduled during finals week. It will cover the final section of the course and will not be comprehensive. Tests will be multiple choice. You will have the entire class period to complete them.
The grading scale will be set in the usual way: A: 90% – 100%, B: 80% – 89%, C: 70% – 79%, D: 60% – 69%, F: below 60%.
Extra credit will not be assigned. Makeups will be given ONLY with prior notification and proper documentation of an excused absence.
If caught cheating, the test will be given the grade of zero (0) and no makeups or extra credit will be assigned.
Library Usage: Use of the library
facilities will enhance your knowledge of astronomy and add research skills to
your academic abilities and is therefore recommended.
Important Dates:
Last day to add or change sections:
8/30/02
Last day to drop without a grade:
9/13/02
Last day to withdraw without
approval: 11/8/02
Last day to withdraw with approval:
12/6/02
COURSE OUTLINE
|
||
DATE |
BOOK SECTIONS |
TOPICS |
|
August
19 |
|
Course
Introduction |
|
August
21 |
Chapters
P.1 – 1.2 |
The
Sky, Motions, Scientific Method |
|
August
26 |
1.3
– 1.4 |
Kepler’s
Laws, Newton’s Laws |
August 28
|
2.1
– 2.4 |
Electromagnetism,
Light, Radiation |
|
September
2 |
LABOR
DAY |
|
|
September
4 |
2.5
– 2.6 |
Spectral
Lines, Doppler Effect |
|
September
9 |
3.1
– 3.3 |
Resolution,
Telescopes |
|
September
11 |
3.4
– 3.5 |
Earth’s
Atmosphere, Radio Astronomy |
|
September
16 |
Review |
Test
1 |
|
September
18 |
TEST
1 |
Chapters
P - 3 |
|
September
23 |
Chapter
4 |
Solar
System Survey |
|
September
25 |
5.1
– 5.5 |
Earth,
Moon |
|
September
30 |
5.6
– 5.8 |
Earth,
Moon |
|
October
2 |
6.
1 – 6.5 |
Terrestrial
Planets |
|
October
7 |
6.6
– 6.9 |
Terrestrial
Planets |
|
October
9 |
Chapter
7 |
Jovian
Planets |
|
October
14 |
Chapter
8 |
Jovian
Moons, Pluto |
|
October
16 |
Review |
Test
2 |
|
October
21 |
TEST
2 |
Chapters
4 – 8 |
|
October
23 |
9.1
– 9.4 |
The
Sun |
|
October
28 |
9.5
– 10.4 |
Nuclear
Fusion, Luminosity, Brightness |
|
October
30 |
10.5
– 10.7 |
H
– R Diagram |
|
November
4 |
Chapter
11 & 12 |
Interstellar
Medium & Stellar Evolution |
|
November
6 |
13.1
– 13.3 |
Neutron
Stars, Pulsars |
|
November
11 |
13.4
– 13.7 |
Black
Holes |
|
November
13 |
Review |
Test
3 |
|
November
18 |
TEST
3 |
Chapters
9 – 13 |
|
November
20 |
Chapter
14 |
Milky
Way Galaxy |
|
November
25 |
Chapter
15 |
Galaxies |
|
November
27 |
Chapter
16 |
Active
Galaxies |
|
December
2 |
Chapter
17 |
Cosmology |
|
December
4 |
Chapter
18 |
Life
In the Universe, Test 4 Review |
|
December
7 – 14 Finals |
TEST
4 |
Chapters
14 - 18 |