PES 105-2 General Astronomy I
Fall, 2003
MW 12:15-1:30 Engineering #103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENG 243, by appointment (MWF 9:00-10:30 or other arrangement)
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Prerequisite: None
Text: “Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy”, by Thomas T. Arny
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/arny/indexnew.mhtml
Course Description: The methods and results of modern astronomy (mainly applied to
our solar system - planets and Sun) at an elementary level. This course is primarily a
lecture course, with limited mathematics required. However, it is a science course, and as such we
will explore scientific reasoning and methods. We will study the observation methods used by ancient
and modern man to examine the universe around us.
Credit Hours: 3
GRADING
In-class projects: We will perform some in-class demonstrations and projects. These
will provide some interactive examination of the topics we will be covering. The grading
will be very simple: 1=Participated, 0=didn’t participate.
At-home projects: Some projects will require effort and/or observation outside of class.
No special equipment will be required; only your eyes and your mind (and paper and
pen). Grading will be simple: 2=Good effort, 1=marginal effort, 0=didn’t participate.
Exams: Exams will be in multiple-choice format. There will be three mid-term exams
given during the semester, each counting as 15% of your grade. I will give you at least a
week’s notice as to the exact date of the exam as well as the material you will be
responsible for on each test. In addition to the three mid-term exams there will be a
comprehensive final exam on Wednesday, December 17, from 10:50 AM to 1:20 PM in
this classroom. The final exam will count for 25% of your grade. Unless arrangements
have been made prior to any exam, there will be no make-up exams. In case of
emergency, I’ll substitute the exam average for a missed exam (one time only).
Attendance: I will occasionally, throughout the semester, take attendance. Your
attendance rate on these days will count toward 15% of your grade. (This is an easy way
to get solid points.)
Grades: In summary, your grade will be based on the following:
In-class & at-home projects
Mid-term exams (3)
Attendance
Final Exam
R. Gist
15%
45%
15%
25%
PES 105-2 General Astronomy I
Fall, 2003
MW 12:15-1:30 Engineering #103
I grade on a standard A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-70%, D: 60-69%, F: Below 60%.
Ranges include +’s and –‘s.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Reasonable accommodation: Students with a disability who require accommodations
should provide a letter of accommodation from Student Enrichment Services (MH 105,
x3354) within the first two weeks of the semester.
Calculators: Calculators will be necessary for some in-class and at-home projects. A
basic calculator capable of trigonometry functions and square roots is sufficient.
Calculators will be allowed to be used during exams, if desired.
Cell phones, pagers, talking: Please show respect to the other members of the class by
turning off the sound on cell phones and pagers. Imperative phone calls should be taken
outside the classroom. Also, keep conversation to a minimum during the lecture so that
others can hear clearly.
Questions, comments: It is my hope that you will feel free enough to ask questions in
class. Chances are that if you are unsure about some topic, there are others who have a
similar question. I would like the class to be as interactive as possible. If you have
relevant experience with a subject, please feel free to share comments with the class.
R. Gist
PES 105-2 General Astronomy I
Fall, 2003
MW 12:15-1:30 Engineering #103
General Schedule *
I. Introduction, History and Observation (Aug 25-Sep 22)
A. Astronomy
B. History
C. Observing the sky
D. Exam (Sep 22)
II. The Earth and the Moon (Sep 24-Oct 20)
A. Gravity
B. The Earth
C. The Moon and the Earth-Moon System
D. Exam (Oct. 22)
III. The Other Planets (Oct 27 – Nov 19)
A. The rocky planets
B. The gas giants
C. Asteroids, comets and meteors
D. Exam (Nov 19)
IV. The Sun (Nov 24 - Dec 8)
A. Inside the Sun
B. The Sun’s stellar family
C. Exam (Dec 8)
Significant Dates
Date
Nov 26
Dec 10
Dec 17
Event
Thanksgiving
Final Exam Review
Final Exam
Note
No class
10:50 AM to 1:20 PM (Eng. 103)
* Dates (except holidays and final) are approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced a week prior to administration.
R. Gist
PES 105-2 General Astronomy I
Fall, 2003
MW 12:15-1:30 Engineering #103
Read-ahead and Exam Schedule*
Date
25-Aug
27-Aug
1-Sep
3-Sep
8-Sep
10-Sep
15-Sep
17-Sep
22-Sep
24-Sep
29-Sep
1-Oct
6-Oct
8-Oct
13-Oct
15-Oct
20-Oct
22-Oct
27-Oct
29-Oct
3-Nov
5-Nov
10-Nov
12-Nov
17-Nov
19-Nov
24-Nov
26-Nov
1-Dec
3-Dec
8-Dec
10-Dec
17-Dec
Topic
Introduction and Overview
History & Observability
Labor Day Holiday
Observing the Night Sky
Forces
Light and Atoms
Measurements
Exam
The Earth and the Moon
Read-ahead
--Overview 1
Ch 1 - History of Astronomy
Essay 1 - Backyard Astronomy
Overview 2
Ch 2 - Gravity and Motion
Ch 3 - Light and Atoms
Ch 4 - Telescopes
Overview 3
Ch 5 - The Earth
The Earth and the Moon
The Earth and the Moon
The Earth and the Moon
Essay 1 - Keeping Time
Ch 6 - The Moon
The Earth and the Moon
The Earth and the Moon
Review
Exam #2
The Solar System
The Solar System
Overview 4
Ch 7 - Survey of the Solar System
The Solar System
Ch 8 - The Terrestrial Planets
The Solar System
The Solar System
The Solar System
The Solar System
Exam #3
Ch 9 - The Outer Planets
Ch 10 - Meteors, Asteroids and Comets
Overview 5
The Sun
Thanksgiving Holiday
The Sun
The Sun
Ch 11 - The Sun, Our Star
Ch 13 - Stellar Evolution
The Sun
Review
Final Exam
* Dates (except holidays and final) are approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced a week prior to administration.
R. Gist