Discover the Universe AST1002 Section 5008 Fall 2009 Instructor: Prof. Jonathan Tan office: 302 Bryant; tel. 352 392-2052 ext 254 email: jt @ astro.ufl.edu office hours: Thursdays 1.40pm-2.40pm or by appointment Teaching Assistants: (office hours in discussion sections) Benjamin Nelson (benelson @ astro.ufl.edu) Office: 309 Bryant; tel. 352 392-2052 ext 253 Stefan O’Dougherty ([email protected]) Class Web site: www.astro.ufl.edu /~jt/teaching/ast1002/index.html Lecture time and place: Tuesdays: 11:45am-1:40pm (periods 5 & 6); Thursdays: 12:50pm-1:40pm (period 6) in Pugh 170 Discussion sections: Regular discussion sections will take place in Room 3, Bryant Space Sciences Building (BRT). The schedule of these discussion sections will be announced in class and posted on the class website. Concepts and ideas covered in the lectures will be discussed in more detail, and with greater opportunity for questions from students. Some guidance will be provided for homework questions, although solutions will not be given out before the homework is due. Students are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in these discussion sections and extra credit, up to 5%, can be gained in this way. We will also have a web-based discussion forum for the class where you can post questions and discuss topics. Your participation here can also generate extra credit. Text: Astronomy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe by Chaisson & McMillan, 6th or 5th Editions are fine. Course Contents: This course offers a broad overview of modern astronomy. Our goal is to help you gain an understanding of how the universe works. (see calendar below for detailed subject listing) General Education: AST 1002, Discover the Universe, is a GenEd physical science (P) course. As the list of topics above demonstrates, the course covers not only the Universe and the bodies in it -- planets, moons, stars, galaxies, etc. -- but also how we know about those things, making use of our understanding of the underlying physics of orbits and radiation.Class Expectations and Obligations: Prepare for each class - We will provide lecture notes on the class web site. Reading assignments for each class are given each lecture. You must complete the reading assignment and read the latest posted notes before each lecture. Participate in lectures - In order to stimulate critical thinking and gauge how well you understand the material, we will ask you questions based on the lectures and reading assignments. You should participate in the lecture by answering these questions and also asking your own questions. You must give your full attention during lecture - no talking, reading, etc. Remain for full class period- You should arrive on time and not get ready to leave until the lecture is finished. Examinations (85% of grade): Three in class tests will be given during the semester: Midterm 1 (20% of grade) on Thursday 24th September 2009 at 12:50pm-1:40pm; Midterm 2 (25% of grade) on Thursday 22nd October 2009 at 12:50pm-1:40pm; Final (40% of grade) on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 11:45am-1:40pm. Note this is an “in class” final and tests all the material in the class. About 50% of the questions will be on material covered since midterm 2. There will not be a final exam during the official finals’ week period. If you have a good reason for being unable to attend an exam you must inform us 1 week before the exam. Accommodations for students with disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation. Homework, Class Participation, and Telescope Observing (15% of grade) Your major homework responsibility for this class will be to complete the reading assignments given in class, so you can fully participate in the next class. Your full attention and participation is expected during class time. In addition, 7 problem sets will be made available through the class web page. These problems will be similar but not identical to questions that will appear on the exams and are excellent preparation for the exams. Homeworks will be completed through the Web-CT e-learning system. No late homeworks will be accepted. Your best 6 homework scores will contribute to 9% of your grade. Class participation will make up 1% of your grade, but will also be assessed for up to an additional 5% extra credit (see below). It is important that you try and ask and answer questions in the lectures. Going to discussion sections also gives you another opportunity to participate and contribute in the class. Telescope observing: Students are expected to attend one observing session at the campus observatory. These take place every clear Friday evening during the semester and on afew other evenings (directions to the observatory and times are provided in lecture and on the class web site). You must complete an observing form (download from the class web site) describing your observations of three objects. You must also obtain a special token from the staff at the observatory and attach it to your form. Remember to put your name on your form. These observing reports will be graded and contribute 5% of your total grade. The reports are due in class by Tuesday 24th November 2009. Do not wait until late in the semester, it may be cloudy! Extra Credit: In total you can earn up to 5% extra credit (this can be equivalent to a half letter grade). Up to 5% can be gained by attending and participating in the Discussion Sections and the Web Forum (see above). Attendance will be recorded at the sections, and participation in discussions will be graded. More details will be given on the class website. There may be additional opportunities to earn extra credit: pay attention in lecture. Note the total extra credit you can earn is capped at 5%. Summary of grading: Midterm 1: 20% Midterm 2: 25% In Class Final: 40% Homework: 9% Class Participation: 1% Telescope Observing: 5% Extra Credit: up to 5% Approximate Grading Scale & Important Dates: A >=85% A- 80-85% B+ 75-80% B 70-75% B- 66-70% C+ 62-66% C 58-62% C- 54-58% D+ 50-54% D 46-50% D- 42-46% E < 42% See the following link for current UF grading policy: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html September 24th Midterm #1 October