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Astronomy 1001 Exploring the Universe Sec. 001, Fall Semester 2009 |
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Instructor |
Professor Evan D. Skillman, 241 Physics, 612-624-9523, http://webusers.astro.umn.edu/~skillman/
skillman(AT)astro.umn.edu, Office Hours: After class Tuesdays, by appointment, or just drop by!
Section 001: Lecture – 9:45 – 11:00, Tu,Th, in Physics 166
TA Office Hours - in Physics 451 - Hours are posted on the Astr 1001 course website and the door outside the Lab rooms, Phys 450 (4th floor South side) and Phys B49 (basement)
Please read the entire syllabus carefully; you are responsible for all of the requirements and procedures described here. You are also responsible for all announcements, assignments, changes, etc., whether or not you are in class.
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Due Dates |
Exams
Mid-Term 1: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 during class time
Mid-Term 2: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 during class time
Final: Saturday, December 19, 2009, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Room
assignments for the exams will be announced in class and posted on
the course website
Observational Project
Part I: At least 3 observations entered ONLINE and paper photo-copies of Observing Form placed in your TA's box (outside Phys Rm. 256) by Friday, September 25, 2009 at 5 PM
Part II: At least 9 total observations entered ONLINE and paper photo-copies of Observing Form placed in your TA's box (outside Phys Rm. 256) by Friday, October 30, 2009 at 5 PM
Final Report: Final observations (a total of 15 observations) entered online and paper photo-copies, and the Final Report due in your TA's box (outside Phys Rm. 256) by by Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 5 PM
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Required Texts |
Text: The Essential Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit - Fifth Edition.
Lab Manual (required): Astronomy 1001/1001H Laboratory Manual 2009 - 2010 (available in the Bookstore)
Environmental Theme: Ast1001 and Ast1011H satisfy the Enviromental Theme requirement. The course introduces the students to a wide range of topics, from the Solar System and the cosmos, to the physical principles that underlie the workings of the Universe. The integrated study of the physical principles and the systems they apply to allows the students to see Earth in a broader context, and provides them with a unique perspective on our home planet and its environment. A key component of the course is an understanding of how science approaches the physical word around us. Environmental theme topics are addressed in several parts of the course, in both lectures and labs.
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Course Policies and Procedures |
Special Needs - Any students with special learning needs must contact their professor during the first two weeks of class.
Academic Standards - The CLA and IT scholastic conduct and classroom procedures will be followed. You are responsible for being familiar with these. Students are welcome to work together, exchange ideas, etc. However, EACH STUDENT MUST MAKE HIS/HER OWN MEASUREMENTS AND OWN CALCULATIONS. Copying of someone else's measurements or calculations is equivalent to cheating and will be handled accordingly.
Examinations Room assignments for the exams will be announced in class and posted on the course website. Bring two pencils and a photo-ID to all exams!. Exams will consist of multiple choice questions. If you cannot make it to an exam, see the professor well in advance. If you miss an exam, see the professor immediately about scheduling a makeup exam. Your midterm exams will be returned to you in your lab. If you feel there is a mistake on the multiple choice portion of your exam, please see the secretary in Physics 356. You are allowed to bring in one 8 1/2 x 11” page of notes covered on both sides to each exam. You will not need a calculator for the exams, so calculators are prohibited.
Note: Students have told us that using the on-line quizzes provided with your textbook has proven to be a very effective way to prepare for the exams. The on-line quizzes look very familiar to your exams and provide immediate feedback regarding how well you are prepared to take an exam. You can access these online quizzes by logging in to Masteringastronomy.com and using the access code in the cardboard insert provided with your text. Note that we will not be using this website for assignments or grades, only access to the study tools. Thus, you do not need any special course specific passwords.
Observational Project Information START MAKING OBSERVATIONS RIGHT AWAY! and don't miss a clear night/day! Every term there are a few students who put this off. DO NOT BE ONE!! You will need your three preliminary observations by the end of the third week. Always save the original copy of your observation log, and turn in a photocopy.
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COURSE SCHEDULE |
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Week |
Topic |
Chapter Reading (approx.) |
Labs and Due Dates |
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Sep. 8 - 11 |
A Perspective on Astronomy |
1, 2 |
No Labs |
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Sep. 14 - 18 |
History of Astronomy, The Human’s View of the Environment, Matter and Energy, Universal Motion |
3, 4 |
D |
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Sep. 21 - 25 |
Light and Telescopes |
5 |
A, Obs. Project Part I due by Friday, September 25, 5pm in Rm.256A |
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Sep. 28 - Oct. 2 |
Formation of the Solar System, Terrestrial Planets, Comparative Planetology |
6 (not 6.5), 7 |
B |
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Oct. 5 - 9 |
Jovian Planets |
8 |
E |
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Oct. 13 |
MID-TERM EXAM 1 |
Ch. 1-8 |
10 T/F, 50 MC |
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Oct. 12 - 16 |
Asteroids, Comets, Earth's Environment |
9 |
L |
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Oct. 19 - 23 |
The Sun |
10 |
M/N |
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Oct. 26 - 30 |
The Stars and their Properties |
11 |
I, Obs. Project Part II due by Friday, Oct. 30, 5pm in Rm.256A |
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Nov. 2 - 6 |
Star Formation and Stellar Evolution |
12 |
F |
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Nov. 9 - 13 |
Exotic Stars |
13 |
H |
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Nov. 17 |
MID-TERM EXAM 2 |
20% previous, 80% Ch. 9-13 |
10 T/F, 50 MC |
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Nov. 16 - 20 |
Our Milky Way Galaxy |
14 |
K |
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Nov. 23 - 27 |
Galaxies and the Expansion of the Universe |
15 |
No Labs, Final Obs. Project due by Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5pm in Rm. 256A |
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Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 |
Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe |
16 |
J |
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Dec. 7 - 11 |
Cosmology: The Big Bang Model and Inflation |
17 |
G |
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Dec. 14 - 16 |
Life outside the Solar System and Extra-Solar Planets |
6.5, 18 |
No Labs |
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Saturday, December 19, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
FINAL EXAM |
20% previous, 80% Ch. 14-18 |
10 T/F, 60 MC |
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GRADING |
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Material |
Points for Each |
Total Points |
% of Grade |
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Labs (12 total) |
20 |
240 |
24% See Note Below! |
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Observational Project Total |
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140 |
14% |
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Mid-Term 1 |
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180 |
18% |
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Mid-Term 2 |
- |
180 |
18% |
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Final Exam |
- |
260 |
26% |
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Totals for the Course |
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1000 |
100% |
Grading will be assigned approximately as follows based on past experience: A: 900 - 1000; B: 800 - 899; C: 650 - 799; D: 500 - 649; F: 0 - 499 (You must receive a 'C-' or better to receive a grade of 'S'.)
Keep copies of all materials upon which you are graded (laboratory reports, observational project assignments, and examinations) until the end of the semester. After the first two or three weeks of the semester, grade summaries will be posted weekly at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/. Students are expected to review their grade summaries for accuracy periodically during the semester and after the final examination. Discrepancies should be reported to Terry Thibeault in the Office of the Department of Astronomy (Room 356 Physics; Phone: 612-624-4811; FAX: 612-626-2029; e-mail: tt@astro.umn.edu).
NOTE! In order to receive a passing grade in the class you must get at least 50% of the total available lab points (120/240) AND at least 50% of the total available Observational Moon Project points (70/140). In addition, you must take all three exams.