Physics 101                 Introduction to Astronomy                Spring 2009                Syllabus

 

Instructor:  Dr. Brian M. Davies

Instructor's office:  Currens 532 (top floor, NW corner)

Phone:  309-298-1307

Office Hours:  MWF 11:00 a.m. – noon and MW 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. or by arrangement

Instructor's e-mail address:  BM-Davies at wiu.edu

Instructor’s web site:  http://frontpage.wiu.edu/~bmd111/

 

Class Time and Location:   Tuesday and Thursday 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. in Currens Hall, room 205

Required textbook:  "Astronomy:  A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe", Chaisson and McMillan, 5th edition.  

 

Course Objective:  To introduce the student to basic concepts in astronomy and the methods that are used to determine what we know about the universe. 

 

ADA policy:  “In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation.  For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Support Services and provide it to the instructor.  It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students.  Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency.  Contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512 for additional services.”

 

Grading:

There will be four in-class closed-book exams and one final exam.  The lowest score of the four regular exams will be dropped, and each of the three highest exam scores will contribute 20% of your grade.  The score for the final exam will count for 30% of your grade, and will not be dropped.  Exams are a mixture of multiple choice questions and true/false questions.  You should see the textbook for summaries and learning goals for the material that we will cover.  The exams may include extra-credit questions which are based on material presented in class which is not in the book.  There will be a paper (see below) which will count for 10% of your grade.  Additional class activities such as occasional quizzes and evening star-observing sessions will give you an opportunity for additional credit.  On the days that we have exams, there will be about 30 minutes of class lecture or discussion before we start the exam.  Attendance is not recorded, and there is no penalty for missing class (but you need to be present to take the exams if you want to get credit for them!). 

 

Writing requirement: 

This course is a general education course, and has a writing requirement.  You will write a two page paper, typed (double-spaced) or produced with a computer, which will count for 10% of your grade.  The topic will be based on a movie which will be shown in class.  You must come to class to see the movie if you want to get credit for the paper.  You will then write the paper, based on the material you saw in the movie.  A second movie will be shown later in the semester for those who miss the first movie, but all are encouraged to see both movies.  There will be a handout which gives more detail about this assignment.  The paper is due at the end of class one week after the movie is shown, but it will be accepted any time earlier.  Late papers will be accepted, but you will be penalized 20% of the possible score for each day the paper is late! 

 

Assignment of Grades:

            A    100  –  88 
            B      87  –  75  
            C      74  –  62 
            D      61  –  50 

 

Physics 101     Astronomy      Exam Schedule

            Exam # 1         Tuesday, February 3              (Introduction and Ch. 1)

            Exam # 2         Tuesday, March 3                  (Ch. 2, 3, and 4)

            Exam # 3         Tuesday, April 7                     (Ch. 5, 6, 7, and 8)

            Exam # 4         Tuesday, April 28                   (Ch. 9, 10, and 11)

            Final exam      Tuesday, May 12 at 3 p.m.    (Introduction and Ch. 1 through 13)  

 

Physics 101     Astronomy      Movie Schedule

            Movie # 1        Thursday, March 5, and the paper is due March 12

            Movie # 2        Thursday, April 16, and the paper is due April 23                  

 

Some more policy that applies to this class, even if it is not put into the syllabus, from the WIU web site: 

General education goals:  http://www.wiu.edu/catalog/requirements/gened-goals.php

Student Rights and Responsibilities:  http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students/  

Student Academic Integrity Policy:  http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php