COURSE DESCRIPTION

ASTRONOMY 1

Summer 2007

Ticket no. 3033

INSTRUCTOR:     RICHARD RAINS

                                                        Voice Mail (24 hours): (818) 364-7702

                                                         email:  rgrains@yahoo.com

           

OFFICE HOURS: M-TH 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

           

TEXT: Required:    "Horizons" by Michael Seeds, 10th ed

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Addresses such questions as:

            What is our place in the universe?

            What kinds of things are in the universe?

            What am I actually seeing when I look up at the sky (moon, planets, etc)?

            What is it like on other planets?

            Where did the universe come from? Where is it going?

            Is there life on other planets?

            How do we know what we know?

            (For more details, see table of contents of text.)

 

COURSE OUTLINE: See Table of Contents of “Horizons”.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES                

 

1.          demonstrate understanding of the methods astronomers use to explore the natural phenomena of the universe, including observation, hypothesis development, and evaluation of evidence.

 

2.            inquire into the historical development of key astronomical concepts such as the ever-unfolding discovery of our place in the universe, including the latest developments in planetology and cosmology

3.          acquire a sense of social responsibility in areas of environmental concern such as global warming

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADES: The final grade will be determined by:

 

Reading Quiz average:            20%                                                                                             (Four of these quizzes will be

Lecture Quiz average:            20%                dropped [two of each kind])

 

Test 1, June 19                        20%

 

Test 2, June 26                        20%  (The one lowest test

                                                            will be dropped)

Test 3, July 5                         20%

 

Final Exam,            July 12            20%

(Comprehensive)

 

Grades and assignments are posted on the Internet at http://rerains.freeservers.com/

 

A brief Reading Quiz will be given during only the first 15 minutes of each class meeting. This closed-book quiz will cover the reading assignment according to the schedule below. Missed quizzes may not be made-up and will be recorded as zero. The two lowest Reading Quiz grades, however, will be dropped at the end of the course.

 

A brief Lecture Quiz will be given during only the last 10 minutes of  each class meeting. The quiz will cover the lecture and will be an open-notes quiz. Missed quizzes may not be made-up and will be recorded as zero. The two lowest Lecture Quiz grades, however, will be dropped at the end of the course.

 

The three tests will take about one hour each. No make-up tests will be given. However, the single lowest test grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. (Not including the final examination.)

 

No early or late examinations or quizzes will be given under any circumstances. Please arrange your life accordingly.

 

BEEPER POLICY:  As a courtesy to other students, please turn off audible beepers and cell phones before entering the classroom.

ETHICS POLICY: Any student found to be cheating on any quiz or test will receive an immediate zero on that activity.

DATES OF TESTS listed on this syllabus may change. Each student is responsible for current class announcements, whether he/she is present in class or not.

EXTRA CREDIT POLICY: No extra credit assignments will be given for this course. The most effective way to raise your grade is to spend time learning the material.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

READING SCHEDULE:

June 11: First class meeting; no reading quiz

June 12: Reading Quiz  covers Chapters 3 – 4   

June 13: Reading Quiz  covers Chapters 5

June 14: Reading Quiz  covers Chapters 6

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June 18: Reading Quiz  covers Chapter 7

June 19: Test 1 Covers Chapters 1-7

June 20: Reading Quiz  covers Chapter 8 – 9

June 21: Reading Quiz  covers Chapter 10 – 11 

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June 25: Reading Quiz  covers Chapters 12 – 13

June 26: Test 2 covers Chapters 8 – 13

June 27: Reading Quiz covers Chapter 15

June 28: Reading Quiz covers Chapter 16 – 17.2

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July 2: Reading Quiz covers Chapters 17.3

July 3: Reading Quiz covers Chapters 17.4 – 17.5

July 4: Holiday

July 5: Test 3 covers Chapters 14 – 17.5

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July 9: Reading Quiz covers Chapters 18.2 – 18.3

July 10: Reading Quiz covers Chapters 18.4 – 18.6

July 11: Reading Quiz covers Chapters 19 – 20

July 12: Final Exam – covers Chapters 1 – 20

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Last Day to drop the class without a "W": June 20

Last Day to drop the class with a "W":                July 5