Syllabus for

Introduction to Astronomy 110G Section 1

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.

Classroom: BX 102

Instructor: Dr. Joni Johnson

Office: Astronomy 211A

Phone: 646 -1518

E-mail: jojohnso@nmsu.edu

Office hours: 10 -11 a.m. Thurs. or by appointment

Course description: This will be a survey of the universe, from our own backyard of the solar system to the beginnings of the universe. Observations, theories, and methods of modern astronomy will be discussed, including how we know what we know and how we develop theories and make predictions. Topics will include planets, stars, black holes and neutron stars, supernovae and nebulae, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Generally non-mathematical but some basic algebra and geometry will be needed. Laboratory involves use of the campus observatory and exercises designed to experimentally illustrate principles of astronomy. We will cover most of the material in the textbook, and will discuss more recent findings that have occurred since the book was written.

Useful links and helpful supplemental material will be available at this URL:

http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/jojohnso/astr110G.html

Textbook: In Quest of the Universe by Theo Koupelis and Karl F. Kuhn. Fifth edition. IF POSSIBLE, try to buy the correct edition as there are changes from previous ones. NOTE ADDED TO ON-LINE SYLLABUS: IF ALL YOU CAN FIND IS THE 4TH EDITION, GO AHEAD AND GET THAT ONE. JUST BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES. We will not be using the CD that comes with some editions.

Laboratory: The lecture class is accompanied by a MANDATORY laboratory class (part of the writing requirement for this class). These labs are held in the Biology Annex Rm. 102

Lab times and TAs are:

Sect. 1A 12:30 -2:30 PM Wednesdays Sophia Cisneros

Sect. 1B 2:30 - 4:30 PM Wednesdays Joe Wellhouse

Sect. 1C 5:30 - 7:30 PM Thursdays Sebastian Trujillo

You must register for one of these labs, and not any other.

The lab includes material to reinforce what you have learned in class and night-time observing. A requirement of the lab class is a weekly lab report that describes what you did in the lab session. The reports are described in the lab manual. Reports from the previous week will be due at the beginning of the next week's class. Your TA will discuss this and other important lab issues with you during the first meeting of the lab. Please pay attention to your TA about what is expected from the lab class as it makes up a significant portion of your grade.

Learning objectives: To better understand how things work in the universe and gain an appreciation for phenomena you can see every day from your backyard. Along the way, you will also obtain an understanding of the scientific method in general.

Tentative calendar: See final page.

Grading policy: This is the weight given to each component of your grade:

Mid-term exam: 20%

Final exam: 25%

Quizzes (class): 10%

Homework: 20%

Laboratory grade: 25%

Grading is standard: 90%-100% = A, 80-89.5% = B, 70-79.5% = C, 60-69.5% = D, <60% = F

If you are taking this class S/U, you must achieve a C grade at the end of the course (including both course work and lab work) in order to receive an S. It is department policy to drop students that have not turned in any, or very little, work by the withdraw date. It remains your responsibility to formally drop the course to insure you receive a W instead of an F. An incomplete will only be given to students that are passing the course at the time they request the incomplete, and only for those that cannot complete the course because of circumstances beyond their control. These must occur after the last day to withdraw from class. Appropriate circumstances include documented illness, documented death or crisis in the student's immediate family, or similar event. If you are having problems, please come talk to me.

Attendance policy: I will not grade on attendance but there will be pop quizzes which will affect your grade if you miss them.

Late/incomplete assignment policy: Late homeworks will not be accepted unless you know ahead of time that you will be unable to attend class that day because of a family emergency or illness and have talked to me about it before class. I am easily reachable before class by phone and e-mail. Work-related issues are not a valid excuse. The preceding holds for the two exams as well. Missing the final because you're leaving for vacation is not a valid excuse, and you will not be allowed to take the exam early.

Make-up assignment policy: Make-ups will only be allowed for those with a valid excuse (see above).

Program evaluation: At the end of the term, you will be invited to evaluate me, the class, and the textbook.

ADA Statement: If you have a disability that may interfere with your performance as a student in this class, you may contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office located in the Corbett Center, room 244 (646-6840). If you have already registered with the SSD office, and require accommodations, please provide your Accommodation Memo from the SSD within the first 2 weeks of class. If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit from the premises in case of an emergency, you are urged, for safety reasons, to notify any of the above persons.

Schedule

Firm dates:

August 22: First class

September 3: Labor Day

October 10: Midterm

October 16: Last day to drop with a "W"

November 19-23: Thanksgiving holiday

Dec. 10: Final exam, 8:00 a.m. -10:00

December 14: Last official day of classes

Tentative reading schedule. Dates subject to some slight adjustment as the class progresses. We may decide to go faster or slower on some chapters.

Week of:

Aug. 22 Chapter 1

Aug. 27 Chapters 2, 3

Sept. 3 Chapter 4, begin Chapter 5

Sept. 10 Finish Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Sept. 17 Chapter 7

Sept. 24 Chapter 8, begin Chapter 9

Oct. 1 Finish Chapter 9, Chapter 10

Oct. 8 Midterm, Oct. 10 Begin Chapter 11

Oct. 15 Finish Chapter 11, Chapter 12

Oct. 22 Chapter 13

Oct. 29 Chapters 14, 15

Nov. 5 Chapter 16

Nov. 12 Chapter 17

Nov. 19 Thanksgiving week

Nov. 26 Chapter 18

Dec. 3 Chapter 19 (if there's time) and review for final

Dec. 10 Final Exam 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.