Physics 229
Astronomy – Stars and Galaxies
Spring 2014
Instructor: Paul J. Thomas
Office: Phillips 241
Phone: 36-3615
Email: thomaspj@uwec.edu
Class:
Labs:
Materials:
Office Hours:
10:00 – 10:50 am MWF
11:00 – 11:50 am Th
1:00 – 1:50 pm WF
and by appointment
Walk-ins welcome.
12:00-12:50 MWF 117 Phillips
1:00-2:50 M 225 Phillips
3:00-4:50 M 225 Phillips
10:00-11:50 Tu 225 Phillips
Cosmic Perspective, 6th Ed., Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit
Physics 229 Lab Manual (purchase in Bookstore)
Calculator
Course material available on D2L
Stars and Galaxies: This course is an introduction to the study of the Universe beyond our solar
system. We will describe how scientists study celestial objects and describe the lives of stars. We
also investigate properties of galaxies and look at the structure and evolution of the Universe.
Grading: Grades for this class will be determined by your performance on weekly homework
assignments, four midterm exams, a final exam, and labs. Homework is due at the beginning of
Wednesday's lecture and late homework can be turned in no later than the beginning of the next
lecture for half-credit. Labs are completed and turned in at the end of each lab session. Four noncumulative, hour-long midterm exams will be given at the end of the major course sections. The
grading scheme will be as follows:
Homework
Labs
Midterms
Final
20%
20%
40%
20%
Letter grades will be assigned based on the total points accumulated during the semester. The grading
scale will have cutoffs no higher than: A = 93%, A- = 90%, B+ = 87%, B= 83%, B- = 80%, C+ = 77%, C =
73%, C- = 70%, D+ = 67%, D= 63%, D- = 60%, F<60%.
These may be lowered based on the end-of-semester distribution, at the instructor’s discretion.
Attendance:
Attendance is expected and may directly affect course grades. Attendance will be taken for recordkeeping
purposes. You are responsible for any assignments or other work missed due to absence. Be aware that
make-up tests and make-up labs will be permitted only with the very best of excuses, for which written
verification may be required.
Academic Integrity: I consider any academic misconduct in this course as a serious offense, and
I will pursue the strongest possible academic penalties for such behavior. The disciplinary
procedures and penalties for academic misconduct are described in the UW-Eau Claire Student
Services and Standards Handbook (http://www.uwec.edu/sdd/publications.htm) in the section
titled, “Chapter UWS 14—Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures.”
Grading Policy: Although most physics courses involve a great deal of mathematical work, this
will not be the case for this course. While some calculations will be required, most homework
and exam questions will be short answer. For all of these problems, answers must be explained
for full credit. A simple one or two word answer is not sufficient. One of the major goals of this
course is to help you develop logical reasoning skills. Short answer problems are the best way
for me to evaluate whether or not you can make an effective and persuasive argument for your
position. Therefore, while you may have the "correct" answer to a question, if you cannot explain
why it is the best answer, you will not receive full or even the majority of the credit for your
answer.
Course Policies: Attendance will be taken at all lectures (seating chart). Any tests, labs, or
homework missed during an unexcused absence will be counted as a zero. Please inform me of
known upcoming absences (performances, special events, etc.); make-up tests, quizzes, and
homework are due before you leave. For unplanned absences (e.g. sickness) with a valid excuse,
homework is due at the beginning of the next class period. There will be no early exams for the
second test. If you have an unplanned absence, I will not accept work that was due or let you
make up an exam given on the day you missed unless you have a note from the Dean of Students
confirming you had a valid reason for missing class. If a make-up exam is required, it will likely
be more difficult than the original exam. Excessive unexcused absences might result in a lower
final grade. Active participation in lecture might result in a higher final grade. Any student who
has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact me and the Services
for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 at the beginning of the semester.
Night Labs: In addition to the weekly labs, one night observing lab is required. These labs will
be conducted on the roof of Phillips Hall. Since observing requires clear skies, it is impossible to
give much advance notice about when the labs will occur. I will try to let you know a few days in
advance when an observing session might occur but the final decision will not be made until 5
PM on the day of the session. I will send you an email to let you know if we are observing. If
you cannot attend a particular lab, let me know as soon as possible so that you can reschedule
with another group.
Getting to the Roof: Go to the southeast stairway (the stairway at the corner of the Phillips
parking lot where the road enters the lot) and go to the very top. Enter the door at the top of the
stairs and the hallway beyond has a door on the right the leads to the roof. Bring warm clothes (it
is colder up there than on the ground), a flashlight if you have one (we can give you red plastic to
put over it), your lab book, and a pencil.
Classroom Courtesy: You share this classroom with many other students, please respect them
by treating them with respect. Observing the following rules will create a better environment for
everyone.
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If you bring a cell phone to class, please turn it off.
If you wear headphones or ear buds, please remove them during class; noise from them is
annoying to your neighbors.
Do not eat during class.
Please refrain from talking to your neighbors during lecture unless we are engaged in a
group work activity.
If you do have questions during lecture, feel free to ask me. If you did not hear something
or did not understand an idea, you are not the only one and others can benefit from the
answer to your question.
Please arrive on time and be prepared to participate.
Do not begin to pack up until the lecture is finished, the noise created can make it
difficult to hear the end of the lecture.