| Week | Week Starting | Chapters | Chapter tests/quizzes | Labs |
| 1 | Jan. 7 |
Overview of Course Start Part 1 (Chs 1,2,3) |
No Lab | |
| 2 | Jan. 14 | ch1 and 2 | Powers of Ten | |
| 3 |
Jan. 21 (MLK) |
ch2 and 3 |
Test 1--chs 1 and 2 Jan 24th |
Grav. Force |
| 4 | Jan. 28 | Ch. 3 and 4 | Telescopes | |
| 5 | Feb. 4 | Start Part 2 (key concepts --gravity, light) 4,5 | TBA | |
| 6 | Feb. 11 | ch 4 and 5 |
Test 2 chs 3,4 some of 5 Feb. 14 |
Mag. Fields |
| 7 | Feb. 18 | Part 3 Solar System(Chs. 6,7,8,9) | TBA | |
| 8 | Feb. 25 | ch.5, 6 | Star Locator | |
| 9 |
March 3 (SPRING PAUSE) |
ch 6 | NO LAB | |
| 10 | March 10 | Ch. 7 (????) |
Test 3 Chs 5, 6 March 11 |
TBA |
| 11 | March 17 | Part 4 (stars 10-13) | Mercury Orbit | |
| 12 | March 24 | ch. 10 | Hertzprung-Russell Diagram | |
| 13 | March 31 | Ch. 11, ch. 13 |
test 4 chs. 7, 10 ???? April 1 |
Density |
| 14 |
April 7 (SPRING BREAK) |
Part 5 (chs 14----17 Galaxy) | NO LAB | |
| 15 | April 14 | Ch. 13, 14 | ? | TBA |
| 16 | April 21 | Selected Topics |
Test 5 chs. 11, 13 ??? April 24 |
|
| 17 | April 28 | TBA | TBA |
Course Goals and Objectives: While interesting topics will be discussed (solar system, space travel etc), a main objective is to get you thinking about topics with the perspective of science. You should be asking questions and come up with logical ways to answer your questions. Along the way we will discuss many interesting things. You will be part of the discussion. Specific topics listed on the syllabus will be modified as we go through the course.
Short exams will be given on topics that we have covered in detail. You will be asked to understand specific vocabulary used in the text, and also introduced in class, as well as to do problems and show comprehension of scale and figures. You will be asked to think about and answer questions in class or for assignments (these or similar problems will show up on exams). I will keep a weekly list of topics and activities posted on my web page so that you know what we are doing. You should read chapter material and understand the vocabulary before coming to class so that we can discuss topics. Online assignments will be given that require you to read and answer questions often before we have lectured on material in class (reading is first).
The textbook is "The essential Cosmic Perspective" 4th Edition, Bennett et.al. The book comes with a key code to access Mastering Astronomy (required). You may sign up for (pay) that resource online if you have purchased a used text. We will also use "Lecture Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy" for both in class and out of class assignments. NOTE: It is your responsibility to be aware of any deviations from the above schedule. Any such deviations will be announced in class---and may be listed on the class web page. It is likely that such deviations will occur at some point throughout the course. DO NOT MISS CLASS. Labs will be held at the assigned times and consist of experiments from the laboratory manual. Some labs will come from the manual "The Earth and The Stars" by Dr. R.L. Ezell. However other labs are being developed throughout the course, handouts will be given, and notification will be made via the course web page.
Tests and Final: Short tests will be given which include multiple choice, matching, free response, problem solving (show all work), and concept discussion. The tests will be graded out of 100 points each. Your lowest earned score will be dropped (or dropped for an EXCUSED absence). Test scores for unexcused absences will be zero and will not be dropped. If you know that you must miss a test beforehand, then you must let me know, and make appropriate arrangements beforehand. If you know that you will miss a test beforehand, it will be counted as zero unless you make arrangements beforehand. The in class tests will make up 40% of your course grade. The final exam will be cumulative and will count as 20% of your course grade.
Laboratory, lecture tutorials, other worksheets: The results of each of the laboratory experiments will be collected at the end of each lab session. Attendance at labs is mandatory. If you must miss a lab let the instructor know as soon as possible (before the lab if possible). In addition to handing in lab work I may ask you to work on problems during lab or class time, or have either individual or group assignments, these may also require work outside of class time. These will count the same as a lab. Two low score or missed (with excuse ONLY) assignment will be dropped before I calculate grades. These assignments make up 20% of your course grade.
Mastering Astronomy Online: There will be numerous homework assignments posted using the Mastering Astronomy system. You will be given ample time to complete these. Each problem (item) will be given a weighted credit that you can examine as part of the assignment.
Since there will be course work due several times each week (either lab, online assignment, in class work, exams, or out of class work) I use the assignments to track participation in the course. The University System allows for no more than 5 (excused or not) absences in the course before withdrawal occurs. If you have missed FOR ANY REASON more than five assignments or course activities (including classes) then you may be withdrawn from the course without your notification. If you decide to withdraw it is up to you to do so prior to midterm.