Astronomy 110G-03: Introduction to Astronomy (Fall 2007)
| Lectures: | Tu/Th |
8:55am | - | 10:10pm, |
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Biology Annex #102 | (Vogt) |
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| Lab 3A: |
Tu |
1:30pm | - | 3:30pm, | |
| Biology Annex #102 | (Patterson) |
|---|
| Lab 3B: |
Tu |
3:30pm | - | 5:30pm, | |
| Biology Annex #102 | (Patterson) |
|---|
| Lab 3C: |
Mon |
4:30pm | - | 6:30pm, | |
| Biology Annex #102 | (Choi) |
|---|
| Instructor: | Prof. Nicole Vogt |
| Contact: | 646-6522, nicole [at] nmsu.edu |
| Office hours: | Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:35 - 12:50,
Astronomy #203 |
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| TAs: |
Jiehae Choi |
Maria Patterson |
| Contact: | 646-3000, jchoi [at] nmsu.edu |
646-7724, mtpatter [at] nmsu.edu |
| Office hours: | Mon. 2:00 - 3:30, Wed. 2:30 - 3:30 |
Wed. 3:30 - 5:00, Fri. 2:00 - 3:00 |
| Astronomy #212 |
Astronomy #209 |
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| Textbook: | The Cosmic Perspective, by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, & Voit (recommended) |
| A copy of the textbook is held on two-day reserve at Zuhl library. |
| Lab Manual: | ASTR 110G lab manual,
at Kinko's Copy Center on University Ave. (required) |
| Webpage: |
http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/nicole/teaching/ASTR110/home.html |
Critical Dates (subject to change):
| Midterm examination: |
Thursday | 4 | October |
8:55 - 10:10am |
| Final examination: |
Thursday | 13 | December |
8:00 - 10:00am |
This course
meets a science requirement for the college core within the university
general education requirements, and the arts and science requirements. It
is valued at 4.0 credits, and is a single semester in length. Our goal is to
provide you with an overview of our understanding of the universe, with an
emphasis on understanding concepts rather than memorization of facts.
Astronomy is the most observational of all the physical sciences, and
astronomers rarely have the opportunity to manipulate the objects we
study. Given this limitation, how have we managed to learn so much about the
universe?
Both the lecture session and one of the three laboratory sections
listed above are required. You must attend the weekly laboratory section in
order to pass the class.
You will also attend a campus observatory session each month of September,
October, and November.
If you come to a session at the beginning of the month, you will get to spend
lots of time looking through the telescopes - wait until the end of the month,
and you may spend lots of time waiting in line!
This course addresses directly the skills outlined in the first three areas of the
General Education Common Core Competencies:
(I) Communications, (II) Mathematics, and (III) Laboratory Sciences.
Background
No previous astronomy experience is required. It will be assumed that you are
familiar with basic algebra, fractions, and scientific notation. There will
be considerable emphasis on the physical processes believed to be operating in
our universe, and the development of basic physical concepts will be a
fundamental part of the course. You should have a small inexpensive
calculator at your disposal (one that computes powers, roots, and
trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine). A strong interest in the
course material is the best prerequisite!
Evaluation
Performance will be judged on the basis of the homework assignments, quizzes,
laboratory exercises, and in-class exams. Inspired class participation can
merit up to 5% in additional credit. The lowest graded homework assignment
or quiz, and the two lowest graded lab reports, will be discarded.
| Homework and quizzes | 35% |
| Lab work | 25% |
| Midterm examination | 15% |
| Final examination | 25% |
| Class participation | +5% |