PHYSICS 1401
Descriptive Astronomy
Fall, 2003
Lecture: MWF 10:00-10:50 (LSC 170)
Lab A (seq. #
6921): T 9:25-10:40 (LSC 112)
Lab B (seq. # 6922): T
10:50-12:05 (LSC 112)
Office: LSC 014
Telephone: 450-5909
E-mail: heatherw@mail.uca.edu
Office hours (subject
to modification):
M 1-4; T 3-5; Th 10-12; F 11-2
(other
times by appointment or chance)
Text: Discovering the Universe, Kaufmann and
Comins, 6e
Other supplies: Celestial sphere packet,
calculator, ruler, quad-ruled composition book, pencils, eraser
Descriptive Astronomy
is part of the general education program of study
and satisfies the four-hour physical science part
of the natural science requirement.
The goal of natural science
is to better understand nature
through a systematic study.
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Objectives for
students completing the natural science requirement are:
·
to understand what the
realm of science is, and why science is important to their lives;
·
to understand current
principles and theories used to explain natural phenomena and to understand the
role of theories in science;
·
to do science as a process
by conducting systematic observation, formulating and testing hypotheses,
collecting and evaluating data, recognizing sources of error and uncertainty in
experimental methods, and disseminating results;
·
to develop an
understanding of how human activity affects the natural environment;
·
to be able to make
informed judgements about science-related topics and policies.
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We
will tentatively cover the first three parts of the book (Astronomy, The Solar System, The Stars). Unless specifically stated otherwise, you
will be responsible for all the material in the assigned chapters, even if not
presented in class, as well as any additional material presented. A group project and a semester-long observing
project will also be assigned. Complete
information on these projects will be given at a later date.
There
will tentatively be four tests and the final, which will be comprehensive. (In reality, every test is
comprehensive.) To calculate your test
grade the final exam grade will be doubled, and the lowest score dropped before
averaging. Since one test will be
dropped, make-up exams will not be
given. One lab will be dropped and
therefore there are no make-up
labs. You must bring your book
and your calculator with you to every class and lab.
Tests will
typically be a mixture of multiple choice, completion, short answer, essay, and
possibly problems. There may be a few
extra credit points on each test. Keep
in mind that you are tested over your ability to apply the concepts you
have learned as well as the basic information.
Cheating
is grounds for being withdrawn failing from this course.
Attendance: It is
expected that you will attend every class and lab. Attendance may or may not be taken. Bonus points are awarded for attendance in lecture, but if you
are not in your seat when attendance is taken or you leave early you will not
receive any bonus points. If you miss
three labs, you will be withdrawn failing from this course. If you feel that you must withdraw from the
course, I would appreciate being notified.
In
addition to those for attendance, bonus
points may be given for other things during the course of the
semester. Each 100 bonus points will give
you 1% extra credit added to your final grade.
Students
should familiarize themselves with the policies in the Student Handbook
especially the Academic Policies and the Sexual Harassment Policy.
The
University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act. If you need an
accommodation under this act due to a disability, contact the UCA office of
Disability Services at 450-3135.
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Grading
(subject to modification)
Lab..............20%
Group
Project.............10%
Observing
Project.........10%
Exams.........60%
Grading scale
(subject to modification)
90-100.........A
80-89...........B
70-79...........C
60-69...........D
< 60.............F
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Tentative schedule:
I. Astronomy
Essentials
for Understanding
Chapter
1........................................Discovering the Night Sky
Chapter 2........................................Gravitation
and the Waltz of the Planets
TEST 1
Chapter
3........................................Light and Telescopes
Chapter
4........................................The Origin and Nature of Light
TEST 2
II. The Solar System
Essentials
for Understanding
Chapter 5........................................Earth and Moon
Chapter
6........................................The Other Terrestrial Planets
TEST 3
Chapter
7........................................The Outer Planets
Chapter
8........................................Vagabonds of the Solar System
TEST 4
Chapter
9........................................The Sun
Selected topics from the following:
III. The Stars
Essentials
for Understanding
Chapter
10.......................................The Nature of Stars
Chapter
11.......................................The Lives of Stars…
Chapter
12.......................................The Deaths of Stars
Chapter
13.......................................Black Holes
FINAL EXAM (comprehensive)
Wednesday, December 10, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
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Here are some tips that you may find useful:
Read
the chapter before it is discussed.
Take notes during class. What goes
on the board is always important, as is much of what does not. Ask questions if something is unclear.
Read
over again slowly and carefully the sections of the chapter that were covered
in class. Study the figures and figure
captions. Go over your notes (copying
them over may help you find things that are unclear before more material is
covered). Do this before the next
class, so that you can ask questions.
If you
don’t feel comfortable asking questions in class, see me during office hours or
at some arranged time. Please don’t be
intimidated.
Don’t
wait until the last minute.
Answer
the Review Questions at the end of each chapter, and as many of the Advanced
Questions and Discussion Questions as you can.
Try the Q&A on the CD and also on the Discovering the Universe (DTU) website. (bcs.whfreeman.com/dtu6e,
or www.whfreeman.com/dtu5e)
You
will be learning lots of terminology.
It might be helpful to write out the definitions for the list of terms
at the end of each chapter or use the flashcard feature on the DTU website
Without
looking at your notes, work any example problems that were done in class, and
then compare.
Use
the CD that came with your book.
Concerning lab: Take
notes during the lab introduction.
Instructions given will generally not be repeated once work has
begun. You may think that you will
remember, but writing them down will insure that you do. You will be done in a more timely fashion as
well. You are not dismissed unless your
entire group is finished and your area has been cleaned up.
Concerning Planetarium visits: The Planetarium is located in LSC 010. There are two doors, but usually only the
door at the foot of the stairs will be used to enter and exit. Due to the necessity for our eyes to
dark-adapt, once the doors are shut no one else will be allowed in, so be on
time! No food or drinks are allowed in
the planetarium.