SYLLABUS FOR ASTRONOMY 191-2

 
COURSE:              THE SOLAR SYSTEM
                     Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2:00-2:50pm, CP 155
                     Course homepage on the web:
                         http://www.pa.uky.edu/~shlosman/191.html 

INSTRUCTOR:          PROF. ISAAC SHLOSMAN
                     Office - CP 289 (phone 257-3461)
                     Office Hours - Mondays, Wednesdays 11:00 to noon
                                    and by appointment
                     e-mail: shlosman@pa.uky.edu


TEACHING ASSISTANT:  Archisman Ghosh
                     Office - CP 359 (phone 257-1397)
                     Office Hours - Tuesdays, Thursdays 2:00pm--3:00pm
                     e-mail: archisman.ghosh@uky.edu


TEXTBOOK:       THE COSMIC PERSPECTIVE (Recommended) (4th Edition) by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider & Voit

COURSE DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES: Astronomy 191 is a survey course designed to acquaint the student with modern scientific understanding of the nature, origin and evolution of our planetary system. This course also explores the development of the methods, principles and history of scientific thought as applied to astronomy. Although this course is largely descriptive, the language of science is mathematics and, thus, occasional use of equations and numerical relationships will be employed. Demonstrations will be used to illustrate specific principles of physics necessary for understanding a variety of observational and theoretical developments.

COURSE EVALUATIONS are an important (and mandatory!) component of our instructional program. An on-line course evaluation system was developed to allow each student ample time to evaluate each component of the course and instructor, thus providing the Department with meaningful numerical scores and commentary while minimizing the loss of instructional time. The evaluation window will open between 4/7 and 4/23. To access the system during this time, simply go to www.pa.uky.edu and click on the link for Course Evaluations; then follow the instructions. You will need to use your student ID# to log into the system, and this will also allow us to monitor who has filled out the evaluation. However, when you log-in, you will be assigned a random number that will keep all your comments and scores anonymous.

TESTS: There will be four in-class tests plus a mandatory final test which will serve as a fifth test (not comprehensive). Each test will count as 18% of the total grade. Tests will cover lectures and assigned reading (in textbook and elsewhere) and will emphasize lecture material. All tests will be multiple choice, using standard machine-graded answer sheets. The student is responsible for having his/her student ID card and a number 2 pencil available on each test date.

 
                   TEST 1: Friday, February 1
                   TEST 2: Monday, February 25
                   TEST 3: Wednesday, March 19
                   TEST 4: Monday, April 7
                   FINAL:  Monday, April 28, 1:00pm, CP 155

ATTENDANCE: If you miss a test for a legitimate reason, you may request a makeup. If your absence occurs because of a scheduled event (i.e. athletic trip, job interview, etc.), you should inform the instructor in advance of the test date. Otherwise, you should request a makeup within one week of the originally scheduled test. If you need to reschedule the final because of a conflict with another exam, University regulations require that you submit your request in writing two weeks in advance. The makeup test will have a different format from a regular test: it will consist of a number of essay questions.

EXTRA CREDIT (in class): To encourage participation, a 0.5% extra-credit point will be given to a student who asks a question during the class or responds to a question asked by instructor and submits in writing both the question and the answer on a full-sized sheet before the end of the class. Up to maximum of 3% extra-credits will be allowed between January 14 and April 4. Only one credit question per day (per student).

EXTRA CREDIT (observatory): Each student can obtain additional 2% extra credit by participating in an observing session at the new Astronomical Observatory on the Campus (up to 3 visits). Details of the sign-up will be announced in class. This extra credit operates untill the last day of classes.

QUIZZ(es): a weekly quiz may be administered during the semester (either essay-type or computer-graded). Ten quizzes can be expected during semester and each quiz will count as 1% (no makeups!). Additional quizzes will count as extra credit.

GRADES: The final letter grade in this course will be determined by your scores from the four in-class tests, the final exam, weekly quizzes and extra credits. This grade will reflect how well the student has done relative to the class as a whole, but there will be no curving of your results. After each of the tests and assignments has been corrected, you will be given an indication of your approximate letter grade on that test. Your final letter grade will be computed from your numerical scores on all of the tests and assignments.

Each of the five in-class tests and the total of home assignments will count as 18% of the total score and the total of 10 quizzes --- 10%. The letter scores are defined as: A (89-100%), B (76-88%), C (63-75%), D (50-62%) and E (49% and less). D is the passing score.

COURSE OUTLINE: