Astronomy 1001 Exploring the Universe, Sec. 1 Astronomy 1005 Descriptive Astronomy, Sec. 1 Summer Semester 2007

- Instructor -

Karl Isensee, 475B Tate Physics Lab, 626-2052

Course Homepage: http://www.astro.umn.edu/~isensee/ast1001.html

Instructor Email: isensee.AT.astro.umn.edu

Office Hours: 11-noon on Mondays

Other Times When I Am Available: After lecture, make an apppointment, or just stop by!

Section 001: Lecture - 9:05 - 11:00 am, M, W, F in Physics 150

TA Office Hours - in Physics B49 - Hours are posted on the door outside the Lab rooms

Course Description

This course is intended to be an introduction to astronomy and astrophysical concepts for non-science majors. The class meeting time will consist of both lecture and in-class demonstrations. I hope to be able to use our face-to-face time to clarify and expand on material in the textbook. Therefore you will be expected to read the material ahead of time and will be quizzed (see below) on the reading material before it appears in lecture. It is absolutely essential to keep up with the reading in the text and attend all class meetings.

I will be available outside of class during my posted office hours for extra help or to answer any astronomy-related question. If the posted hours are inconvenient, let me know and we can set up an alternate time. In addition, there are a staggering number of internet resources for astronomy, and I will point you to the locations of some of them during class meetings. My goals for the semester are to guide you to an appreciation of the modern astronomical view of the Universe; to convey the excitement of new discoveries; and to help you develop an understanding of the scientific method and its power to make sense of a complex world.

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.

Quizzes

We will be having daily, in-class quizzes. All of the quizzes together will be worth 10% of your final grade. The quizzes will be two questions long, with one question covering the reading material assigned for the day of the quiz, and the other question covering material from the previous lecture.

You must be in class in order to take the quizzes. I will drop the lowest quiz score for the semester. If you are going to miss more than one class during the term, you are to contact me ahead of time (if possible) or have a written excuse (e.g. a doctor's note) if you did not contact me ahead of time. Quizzes missed because of a valid excuse can be made up for full credit.

Exams (may be subject to change)

Mid-Term 1: Monday, June 11, 2007 in class (duration: 60 mins)

Mid-Term 2: Friday, June 22, 2007 in class (duration: 60 mins)

Final: Friday, July 6, 2007 in class (exam duration: 110 mins)

Observational Project (AST 1001)

Part I: At least 3 observations entered ONLINE, and paper copies of the Observing Form placed in your TA's mailbox (in the hall outside Phys Rm. 256A) by Friday, June 8, by 5 PM

Part II: At least 7 total observations entered ONLINE and paper photocopies of the Observing Form placed in your TA's mailbox (in the hall outside Phys Rm. 256A) by Friday, June 22, by 5 PM

Part III and Final Report: Final observations (a total of 11 observations) entered ONLINE, and paper photocopies of the Observing Form and Final Report due in your TA's mailbox (in the hall outside Phys Rm. 256) by Friday, July 6, by 5 PM

Your TA will have more information about the procedure for making your observations, filling out the observing form from the Lab Manual, and entering the information in our online webform. Don't miss the first meeting of your lab section! (Labs begin the week of May 28).

- Required Texts -

Text: The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit - Fourth Edition.

Lab Manual (required): Astronomy 1001/1011H Lab Manual (available in the Bookstore; AST 1001 students only)

Environmental Theme: Ast1001 satisfies 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 discussed in class include the greenhouse effect, nuclear energy, climate shifts, cosmic impacts, and extraterrestrial life.

- Course Policies and Procedures -

Special Needs - Any students with special learning needs, or disabilities must contact their professor during the first two weeks of class.

Academic Standards - The CLA , and IT scholastic conduct and classroom procedures (see Regent's policy) 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, copying observational data or calculations from an online source, or making up fictitious observational data is equivalent to cheating and will be handled accordingly.

Examinations Bring two pencils and a photo-ID to all exams!. Exams will consist of multiple choice format. If you cannot avoid missing an exam, see the professor about scheduling a makeup exam, before the date of the exam. Email is the fastest way to get in touch with me. All makeup exams will have short answer/essay format. Your exam scores will be posted on the web at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/. You are allowed to bring in one 8½" x 11" sheet of notes (both sides, if desired), to the midterms and final exam.

Observational Project Information (AST1001) 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. The lab manual explains how to make the observations, and your TA will go over the procedure in lab during the first week of lab meetings. Always save the original copy of your observation log, and turn in a xerox copy !!!

Grading will be assigned approximately as follows based on past experience:
AST 1001/1005: 900-1000 = A; 800-899 = B; 650-799 = C; 500-649 = D; 0-499 = F.
You must receive a 'C-' or better to receive a grade of 'S'.

Keep copies of all materials on which you are graded (lab reports, observational project assignments, exams) until the end of the semester. After the first 2-3 weeks of the semester, grade summaries will be posted weekly at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/. You can review your grade summaries for accuracy and get an idea of how you are doing in the class. (Ast 1005 students can just check with me, because there are no labs to keep track of and there are so few of you). Problems can be reported to me, to your TA, or to Terry Thibeault in the office of the Department of Astronomy, at tt@astro.umn.edu.

NOTE!
In order to receive a passing grade in AST 1001 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.
In order to receive a passing grade in AST 1005 you must take all three exams.