Astronomy 112

Fall Quarter 2007

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:         Dr. Bob (Echols), rechols@calpoly.edu, 756-2656, www.calpoly.edu/~rechols

 

Office Hours:    M, T, W, & F 10:10-11:00 a.m. in my office, 52-E36, and T 1:10-2:00 p.m. in the Learning Center, 52-A03

 

Schedule:          MWF 2:10-3:00 p.m. in 53-201 and Lab M or W 7:10-9:00 p.m. in 38-123

                       

Textbook:          Kaufmann & Freedman, Universe, 8th edition (7th, and 6th are fine too!)

 

Reading:

We will be covering material from chapters 1,2,4,5, and 16 through 26 in the text. The textbook covers more material than I expect you to know.  My lectures and selected homework problems will help you focus your reading on the material that I feel is more important.

 

Homework:

The homework assignments and solutions for the entire quarter will be posted on the web. The homework will not be collected and graded.  I encourage you to discuss the homework exercises with each other and/or me, but be certain that you have an excellent understanding on your own so that you will be able to ace the quizzes and exams.

 

Quizzes and Exams:

We will have one midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam. In addition we will have about five announced quizzes throughout the course.  Your quiz with the lowest point value will not be counted towards your final grade.

 

Astronomy Journal:

Follow the directions on the astronomy journal handout.

 

Lab Exercises:

I will meet with half the class on Mondays and the other half on Wednesdays to assist you with a hands-on astronomy activity illustrating concepts we have been discussing in class. When the weather is favorable we will observe the night sky with telescopes and our naked eye.

 

Extra Credit:

There will be a couple of opportunities during the quarter to view celestial phenomena.  Later in the quarter I will hand out an extra credit paper assignment. You may also attend one of the Cal Poly observatory sessions. If you do attend please write a brief summary of the objects you were able to view and tell me which object you liked the best and why (please be sure to sign the enrollment sheet at the end of the session).

 

Grading:

Your final grade will be based on your overall performance in the class with the following approximate percentages:  quizzes (20%), astronomy journal, lab exercises, and lab final (30%), midterm (20%), and final exam (30%).