Introductory Astronomy SCI-103 Fall 2013 Course Information

For the OCC Main Campus

Instructor / Dr. Fred Jaquin, (315) 498-2437, , F350
Class Schedule / SCI-103-401 Intro Astronomy:TTh 4:30pm to 5:45pm, F381
OFFICE
HOURS / M 12:30 to 1:20, T 11:00 to 12:15, T 3:30 to 4:45, Th 11:00 to 12:15, Th 3:30 to 4:45
Course Web Site / Information about and documents for this course are on Dr. Jaquin’s faculty web page available at . Click on the HOT TIPS flashing button to access course documents.
Course Goals / “Where are we?” and “How do we know?” are the two underlying goals that we will address in this astronomy course. The answer to the “What” question will be attacked by examining where we perceive ourselves to be in the Universe. This thread will begin with an examination of our place in the universe deduced from the apparent motion of astronomical objects in the sky. We will then examine the properties of the stars to learn where the Sun “fits in” within that panoply of stellar properties. Finally, we will examine the structure of our own galaxy the Milky Way and compare it to the inventory of galaxies in the Universe. This journey will teach us many details regarding the past, present and future of stars and galaxies, but underneath the details we learn where we fit within this vast array of structures. The “How” question will be answered by exploring basic physical laws of gravity, electromagnetic radiation (light), elementary mathematical problem solving techniques and scientific reasoning. We will not only learn the “facts”, but more importantly, how we “know” the facts. The facts regarding the details of stellar evolution and galactic structure will not doubt change as technology improves, but the “how” we explore the universe will remain essentially the same.
Course Objectives / The successful student will:
Become familiar with the patterns of apparent motion of the stars, Sun, Moon and Planets and the causes for those apparent motions, and
Become acquainted with the principle historic figures responsible for the origin of modern astronomy (i.e. The Copernican Revolution), and
Become familiar and to some degree adept at using Newton’s Theory of Gravity to solve astronomical problems, and
Be acquainted with the analysis of starlight using simple radiation laws, and
Learn how the Sun produces energy and how that determines the lifetime of the Sun, and
Learn the properties of stars, using the parlance of astronomers, and be able to describe where the Sun fits in the range of stellar types, and
Learn the stages of stellar evolution, and how a star evolves as it utilizes various energy production methods, and
Learn the structure Milky Way Galaxy, and
Identify other galaxy types using the Hubble Classification system, and
Learn the characteristics of poor and rich galaxy clusters, and
Become acquainted with galaxy evolution by collisions, and
Be able to solve simple quantitative problems in astronomy using high school arithmetic, geometric and algebraic skills.
Textbook / Pathways to Astronomy, Third Edition, Schneider and Arny, Custom Edition with McGraw-Hill Connecton-line learning package
Reserve Materials / None at this time
Attendance / Attendance at all lectures is required because that is where you will learn what material from the text is most important and see new material not found in the text. Information will be presented in lecture that is not in the textbook, and you will be expected to know this material for the exams. If you miss lecture you may be able to obtain the notes from another student but you will have most likely missed the higher level connections and revelations that were explored that day. If you anticipate missing a lecture or series of lectures see the instructor before hand and he/she may be able to provide some material that will mitigate the loss.
Exams
(80% 0f Final Grade) / As shown in the course schedule there will be threein-class exams during the semester and a 2 hour comprehensive final exam. Each in-class exam is worth 16.7% of your final grade. The exam format consists of a variety of multiple choice questions, identification questions, short answer questions, essay questions and numerical problems. Extensive study guides will be supplied to guide your preparation for the exam. What is on the study guide will be on the exam.There are no make-up exams. If you cannot or do not make a scheduled exam contact the instructor immediately. He/She may be able to make an accommodation. The final comprehensive exam is worth 30% of your final grade. The final exam grade will replace one lower in-class exam.
Assignments& Quizzes
(20% of Final Grade) / Assignments will be given at approximately weekly. The assignments will consist of questions and numerical problems from the end of the units of study, as well as a relevant essay or investigation distributed in class. Please type all written assignments. Mathematical problems may be hand written. Please be certain to write your class meeting time on each assignment. Late assignments are not accepted without extraordinary documented reasons. Assignments count for 20% of your total grade.
Disputing Grades / Exams: Mistakes are sometimes made. If you are not satisfied with the way in which your exam was graded bring it up to the professor. If you fail to get satisfaction, you may initiate a grade dispute procedure as per the instructions in OCC’s academic rules (PDF version at )
Determining Your Final Grade / Your final grade is computed using the following formula:
0.50 x (Average exam grade computed from all three 1-hour exams)
0.20 x (Homework & Quiz average)
+ 0.30 x (Final Comprehensive exam grade).
Final Grade
Letter grades will be determined from the numerically average grades described above at the discretion of the professor.
Email Policy / Onondaga Community College is now using the college email system to communicate important information to students. The college will no longer send emails to personal email accounts. All college related emails will be sent via OCC email or via Angel. Please be sure to check your OCC email account often.
Students with Disabilities / The Office of Services for Students with Special Needs (OSSSN) at OnondagaCommunity College is available to assist students who have a documented disability.If you require special accommodations for this class, visit the OSSSN in Academic Rm. 108, or call them at 498-2245. In addition, please see your instructor to discuss your individual circumstance concerning this course.
Email Policy / Onondaga Community College is now using the college email system to communicate important information to students. The college will no longer send emails to personal email accounts. All college related emails will be sent via OCC email or via Angel. Please be sure to check your OCC email account often.
Academic Integrity / Students at OnondagaCommunity College are expected to adhere to the highest values of intellectual and academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty will not be tolerated. We all know what cheating is and it won’t be tolerated.
Homework: You are encouraged to work together on homework assignments so as to better learn the material. However, you must do your own writing on the problems and assignments. Assignments that are recognized as identical or too similar will both be given a grade of zero. It is also considered a violation to lift passages from web sites or other written sources without due credit. Anyone found copying another source and presenting it as their own work will also receive a zero for the assignment.
Exams: Cheating on exams will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. If you are caught cheating during the exam, or accused of cheating after the exams are corrected, you will be given a zero for the exam. A second instance of cheating on an exam will result in immediate dismissal from the course
Help / One unavoidable truth about college is that it is not easy. If it were, everyone would be a college graduate. How you react to the normal periods of frustration that all students face says a lot about you and directly determines your likelihood of success. Many students make the mistake of giving up on themselves too quickly. Remember, sometimes it’s in struggling with a challenging assignment and actually figuring it out that the most powerful learning happens. So, at the first sign of trouble, take action.
Make college a priority in your life. I know that many of you are balancing school with family responsibilities, jobs, and friends. Still, to be successful you can’t squeeze college in around the edges of the rest of your life. Your responsibilities as a student must be a priority and it’s important to have things organized to a point that the rest of your life isn’t constantly coming into conflict with your responsibilities as a student.
Go to class. In every class there are a few students who drop in and out – never quite sure what’s going on. Don’t fall into that trap. Decide now that you won’t miss more than one class in each of your courses this semester. Then, when you wake up some morning and something goes wrong; ask yourself if this circumstance is bad enough to be the one day you don’t make it to class this semester. I bet it isn’t quite bad enough. Save that one day for a time you may really need it down the road.
Don’t take on too many work hours. If you have a full course load and you’re working more than twenty hours a week, you need to take a hard look at what you’re doing. You may be setting yourself up for a lot of frustration.
Nobody works best under pressure. You may get it done because of the deadline, but don’t fool yourself that it’s your best work. Plan ahead. Get organized.
You will not catch on to everything the first time you hear it. One unavoidable truth about college is that it isn’t easy. If it were easy, everybody would be a college graduate. The good news is that you’re not on your own. When you don’t understand something in one of your classes, stop by and talk it over with your instructor during office hours. The faculty is here to support you, but you have to take that first step and ask for help.
Above all, talk to your instructor if you’re having difficulties. He/She may be able to help, but only if they know you’re struggling.