Summer 2010
Instructor:
Office Location:
Paul Temple
700 S 8 th St
Deming, NM 88030
Phone: 575 546-3955
Email: phxbird@hotmail.com
Course Catalog Description: Survey of the Universe from Earth to Galaxy. Class meets Monday through Thursday 1-3:30 pm. Labs will be after class from 3:30-5:00 pm with the locations to be announced. At least one lab will take place at the Temple Research Observatory in Deming. Some labs will also be held in the computer center.
Text book: The Cosmic Perspective 5 th or 6 th edition. Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, Voit.
Course Instructional Objectives: This course is designed to teach the student the basics of astronomy. To better understand many of the concepts, simple algebra formulas will be used.
Most of the grade will be predicated on your understanding of nonmathematical concepts!
However, things like Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion cannot be understood without some math knowledge. Many other important algebra concepts will also be discussed and worked, some in class and some in labs. At the end of the course, students will gain a higher level of understanding about the universe, astronomical phenomena, solar system, star systems and constellations as well as impressing their friends and relatives with their new found knowledge!
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Special Needs Students: Students with disabilities in need of accommodation should register with the Special Needs Office (JUANCB 210, Ext. 6498) at the beginning of the semester. With student permission, that office will notify instructors of any special equipment or services a student requires.
Assessment/Evaluation and Grading Scale
2.
1.
Your attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken during class. If you have a scheduling conflict that is going to cause you to be chronically late or you need to always leave early, you must speak with the instructor as soon as possible. University policy states that the instructor of a class can drop you form the course after one unexcused absence in Summer. It’s your grade you’ll screw up by not coming to class.
This class is going to be fast paced and will require you to read ahead. Don’t fall behind; stay ahead in your reading.
3.
Quizzes will be given every day. Though they will count towards a grade most of the reason for the quiz is for you to gauge your understanding of the material and see where you need to study more.
4.
Paper: The research paper needs to be at least 8 double spaced, type written pages. You need at least 20 sources including the internet. Footnotes and sources must be cited in the standard accepted manner by the college. 80% of the grade is based on content and
20% on form and grammar. The paper is due by August 6.
5.
The weekly tests will count for 100 points, the final for 400 points for a total of 800 possible. Each quiz will be worth 10 points with an estimated possible of 190 points.
Labs will count for 30 apiece for a total possible of 570. The paper is 300. Keep your ear to the ground for extra credit opportunities throughout the course! Total points available is 1860.
6.
Final grade will be based on this scale.
A 90-100% 1860-1674 points
B 80-89% 1488-1659 points
C 70-79% 1302-1487 points
D 60-69% 1116-1301 points
F 0-59% 0-1115 points
7.
There is no set number of letter grades (As, Bs, Cs, etc.) in my class. You score an A you get an A! Your grade purely depends on your percentage or point total in the class and this is obtained by demonstrating ample understanding of content taught in class through tests, paper and lab.
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8.
I reserve the right to reduce or change the class requirements as long as it will ultimately benefit the students.
9.
Cheating will not be tolerated in any form. In fact, even in group work, if I know someone else did all the work and you did not contribute to the effort then I will reduce or eliminate your grade in that activity. If you use someone else’s answers on a test you will forfeit all credit for that test.
Other Expectations:
1.
Since this is a college class you are not allowed to visit during lectures. Time is precious and if you disrupt class with visiting you will be killing your own grade and everyone else’s as well! So curb the urge! Besides if you stop to talk and not take notes I will not go back! Just remember if you snooze you lose! Questions are always welcome!
2.
I realize many of you think that you will cease to exist if you do not have your cell phone on but don’t interrupt the lecture with your cell phone! When you are texting you are not listening and it is kind of a waste for me to teach if all you do is text! No, I don’t buy that you can multi-task! Check out the myth-busters episode on driving and cell phones if you think that! Oh, by the way, it does not take a rocket scientist to tell that you are texting, watching House reruns or changing your ticket to get on a train to meet your future spouse! Three warnings and you are out!
3.
I am not your parole officer, principal or priest, which means if you are annoying and disruptive in class, I will just toss you out! No makeup or points allowed! This is why I love teaching college so much!
4.
This is not a concert and you are not a rapper so obscenities, offensive and foul language will not be tolerated. Just remember, cursing is the first resort of the ignorant!
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Each student shall observe standards of honesty and integrity in academic work as defined in the WNMU catalog. Violations of academic integrity include “any behavior that misrepresents or falsifies a student’s knowledge, skills or ability with the goal of unjustified or illegitimate evaluation or gain” (WNMU Faculty Handbook, 2010). Generally violations of the academic integrity include cheating and plagiarism. Refer to the catalog for definitions.
Penalties for infractions of academic integrity in this class are as follows
Plagiarism: “the intentional or unintentional representation of another’s work as one’s own without proper acknowledgement of the original author or creator of the work”. A grade of zero will be applied to assignment.
Cheating: “using or attempting to use unauthorized materials…and unauthorized collaboration with others, copying the work of another or any action that presents the work of others to misrepresent the student’s knowledge” (WNMU Faculty Handbook, 2008). A grade of F will be assigned for the course.
WEATHER
If class is to be cancelled due to bad weather, it’ll be miracle! If a rouge meteor lands near campus, the world comes to an end or any other minor problem I will post a sign on the door and try to send the survivors email.
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Class and Reading Schedule
Summer 2012
July 9-Aug 7
1:00pm-3:30 pm Class
3:30 pm-5:00 pm Lab
Monday-Thursday
Week 1
Week 2
Chapters 1-5
July 12 Weekly test
July 12 Evening Lab Deming
July 13 Evening Lab TorC
Chapters 6-8 & 13-18
July 19 Weekly Test
Week3
Week 4
Chapter 19-22
July 26 Weekly Test
Chapter S2, S3, S4
August 2 Weekly Test
Week 5 Catch up and review!
August 6 Paper Due
August 7 Final
There will be daily quiz’s given at the beginning of each class period! Don’t be late!
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