Course Description |
This 4 credit-hour course is designed for students who are in the University College. The small class size (~20 students) allows for personalized instruction and interaction. This is a course intended primarily for non-science majors. It qualifies for both the basic and general list requirements in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division in the Liberal Arts Core. Astronomy 101 also satisfied the Liberal Arts Core requirement as a course with a laboratory. AST101 and any other Physics or Astronomy course on the Basic List constitute a sequence.
The course covers the topics of the first semester of a typical two-semester astronomy course without calculus: tools of astronomy and overview of the Solar System. This is a non-calculus course, but proficiency in high-school math is required. Help is available through on-line tutorials and from the instructor, the teaching assistant and staff of the Physics and Math Clinics. Laboratory: Many important course activities take place in the laboratories. Most weeks you will carry out an observation or other active learning exercises. It will be to your benefit to read the lab assignment prior to the lab. Some laboratory exercises require you to hand in a pre-lab exercise. Labs are available on the Web (see Astronomy home page) and will be handed out in class. You can use this course to satisfy the requirement of the liberal arts core for one "laboratory course." To support observing, laboratory experiments and lecture demonstration, you have been charged a course fee of $25. This fee helps pay for (i) handouts which are distributed to you; (ii) supplies, small pieces of apparatus, planetarium rental and maintenance for the laboratory and observatory; (iii) supplies and apparatus for lecture exercises and demonstrations. It is imperative that you attend these weekly laboratory meetings. The week following each lab you will have to turn in a written assignment. These must be given directly to your lab TA. If you need to be excused from a lab meeting, for a medical reason or other valid excuse, please inform your TA. Plan on spending an hour or so on several evenings making astronomical observations. In order to take advantage of the relatively good observing weather in September, the laboratory exercises will not always correlate with the weekly lecture. ANYONE MISSING MORE THAN THREE (3) LABS WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO (0) FOR THE LAB PORTION OF THE COURSE! Sky observing sessions will be announced. |
Course Goals |
* To give an introduction to astronomy
* To learn about: the scientific method; how observations are made, and how theories are formulated and tested * To learn about the Solar System: the Sun, the planets, moons, meteorites and comets * To learn about the basic physics concepts and laws underlying the study of astronomy * To learn about the current and future solar system exploration programs * To experience the excitement of discovering our neighbourhood of the cosmos |
Course Contents |
The major topics to be covered are: tools of astronomy and overview of the Solar System. A detailed list of topics with a tentative schedule of reading assignments is given in the AST101-UC Timetable. The Timetable is subject to change and will be periodically updated. |
Meeting Times and Location |
Lectures: Wednesdays 6 am - 8:45 pm, Stolkin Auditorium, Physics Bldg.; recitations and laboratories: 8:45 pm - 10 pm B129E, Physics Bldg.
A typical Wednesday class consists of: introduction to the topics of the day, discussion of the most important concepts, and application of what has been learned. It is required that you read the material ahead of time. The lecturer assumes that you will have read the assigned material, so during lecture he will go through the most difficult points and will answer questions. |
Attendance Policy |
Attendance at lectures and labs/recitations is STRONGLY advised; skipping classes is at your own risk. Active participation will be rewarded. Please be punctual and don't walk in or out of the classroom during lectures, as it is distracting to fellow students. Reading and homework assignments, and other important communications are given during regular contact times; sometimes it is not possible to post such announcements on the Web in a timely fashion. |
Secret | The secret to do well in this course is to work hard and efficiently from day one. If you have difficulties, see the instructor or visit the Physics Clinic. If you need help with math, visit the Math Clinic. |
Teaching Staff |
Lecturer: Prof. Gianfranco Vidali
Office: Rm. 221 Physics Bldg. Contact information: 443-9115, gvidali@phy.syr.edu Office hours: Wednesdays 3-4 pm or by appointment Prof. Vidali's research interests: laboratory astrophysics (http://physics.syr.edu/ESPAHome.htm) Instructor Assistant: TbA |
Administrative Questions |
For all administrative matter (add/drop, etc.) please see the undergraduate secretary Arlene Johnston, Rm 111 of the Physics Bldg., next to the computer cluster. |
Textbook |
The Essential Cosmic Perspective by Bennett/Donahue, Schneider/Voit, 3rd Edition, 2005, Addison Wesley, plus remote control “clicker”.
This text is available at the Syracuse University Bookstore. The text comes with a software key to access on-line material, such as tutorials and useful links. Purchase of the "RF clicker" is not required. Additional reading assignments from other sources may be given as needs warrant.
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Resources |
The Physics Library, located on the second floor of the Physics Bldg. has other books that are often adopted in introductory astronomy courses. If a need arises, books will be places on reserve. On-line resources are linked through the main page. |
Grading |
Grading will be based on the following: understanding the question and thinking through logically; stating the facts correctly; carrying through calculations and graphing, being able to critically evaluate them and assess their significance; communicating the results clearly and logically. The final course grade is computed as follows: Laboratory and/or homework assignments: 25% Attendance and participation: 5% Midterm Exams: 30% Final Exam 40% The following grading scale will be used; there will be no "curving". Your score (%) Letter grade 93- A 90-93 A- 85-90 B+ 80-85 B 75-80 B- 70-75 C+ 65-70 C 60-65 C- 50-60 D 0-50 F |
Assignments |
Reading Assignments Reading assignments are given after each lecture and are posted on the Web (see Timetable ). Given the fast pace of the course, it is important to complete the assignments in a timely manner.
Homework Assignments After each lecture a set of homework assignments is given. You are strongly advised to work on the assignments, since they are for you to gauge whether you have assimilated the assigned material. Only selected assignments will be collected and graded. Whenever possible, this list will be posted on the Website for the course. We'll try to schedule observing nights; these events might take place outside the classroom time slot. Extra-credit will be given for attending these nights. |
Exams |
All exams are closed books and notes, except as explained below. It is considered cheating, and therefore a serious violation of the Syracuse University academic code, getting around this rule using electronic devices (such as calculators with stored information, cell-phones, etc.) or other means, and accepting help from or offering help to other students during the exams. Midterm Exams: There are two mid-term exams. The lowest scoring one is dropped. Each exam is mainly but not exclusively centered on material since the last test. There will be no make-up exams. The exams are closed books and notes; however, you are free to bring a single double-sided sheet of handwritten notes (no photocopies). Bring a scientific calculator to the exams. Final Exam: The Final Exam is on all the material covered in the course. Three double-sided sheets of handwritten notes will be allowed at the final. There is no possibility of making up the final exam. |
Honesty |
Please read this carefully.
Homework assignments: You may consult with other fellow students in order to discuss solution strategies for the assigned problems. But eventually you must work out the problems yourself; what you turn in must be your own product. Turning in an assignment copied from somebody else's solutions or completed by somebody else (and this includes incorporation of material obtained from books, articles and the Web without giving proper attribution) is considered cheating. Exams: It is a violation of the academic code to seek or give assistance during the exams. The instructor is the only person you can communicate with during the tests. Please do not make any changes or marks to the graded exams, if you want to preserve a right to appeal grading mistakes. The general Syracuse University guidelines will be followed in case of violations. |
Getting Help |
Physics Clinic:
The Physics Clinic is located in room 115 of the Physics Building. Hours are posted on the door (and at http://www.phy.syr.edu/courses/). The clinic is staffed by graduate Teaching Assistants who can help you with this course material. However, in order to get the most efficient help, see the Instructor during his office hours, or the teaching assistant for this course. His/her office hours are held in the Physics Clinic. Help with mathematics: This course uses some basic high-school mathematics. The Mathematics Department runs the Math Clinic in the Reading Room of Carnegie (hours are posted on the door) if you need assistance with math. |
Special Needs |
If you need special assistance because of a documented special need, please contact the Instructor. |
Absence Policy |
There will be no make-up exams. The final exam cannot be missed. |