PES 106-3 General Astronomy II
Spring, 2004
TR 9:25-10:40 Engineering #103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENG 243, by appointment (T/Th 10:50-12:00 or other arrangement)
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Site: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist/PES/PES106_SPR04/index.htm
Prerequisite: None
Text: Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy, 3rd edition, by Thomas T. Arny
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/arny/indexnew.mhtml
Course Description: The methods and results of modern astronomy (solar systems,
stars, galaxies, black holes, quasars, cosmology) 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.
Credit Hours: 3
GRADING
Exams: Exams will be in multiple-choice format. Exam material will be taken primarily
from the book, but will include some information discussed in class. There will be three
mid-term exams given during the semester, each counting as 20% 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 May 13 which 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).
Projects: Three simple projects will be assigned throughout the semester, and details
will appear on my web site. These will consist of tasks able to be performed in class or at
home with easily-available materials.
Attendance: Attendance will not be monitored. It is each student’s responsibility to
cover any material due to missed lectures.
Grades: In summary, your grade will be based on the following:
Evaluation
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Projects (about 3; simple)
Final Exam (cumulative)
Approximate Date
17-Feb
18-Mar
20-Apr
Various
13-May 8 to 10:30 AM (Eng. 103)
Weight
20 %
20 %
20 %
15 %
25 %
The grade ranges will be A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-70%, D: 60-69%, F: Below
60%. UCCS permits grades to be further specified using +’s and –‘s.
R. Gist
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PES 106 Spring, 2004
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 not be required for this course. Calculators will be allowed
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 comfortable asking 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.
COURSE OUTLINE
I.
Introduction, Basics of Astronomy (Jan 20-Feb 17)
A. Gravity & Motion
B. Light & Atoms
C. Telescopes
D. Solar System Formation
E. The Sun
II. Stars and Stellar Evolution (Feb 19–Mar 18)
A. Stars
B. Stellar Evolution
C. Stellar Remnants
III. Galaxies (Mar 30 – Apr 20)
A. The Milky Way Galaxy
B. Galaxies
IV. Cosmology (Apr 22 - May 4)
A. Cosmology
B. Life in the Universe
Significant Dates
Date
Mar 22 – Mar 28
Apr 2
May 13 (Thursday)
Event
Spring Break
Last day to drop
Final Exam
Note
No class
8:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Eng. 103)
* Dates (except holidays and final) are approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced at least a week prior to administration.
R. Gist
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PES 106 Spring, 2004
Topics, Read-ahead and Exam Schedule*
Date
20-Jan
22-Jan
27-Jan
29-Jan
3-Feb
5-Feb
10-Feb
12-Feb
17-Feb
19-Feb
24-Feb
26-Feb
2-Mar
4-Mar
9-Mar
11-Mar
16-Mar
18-Mar
23-Mar
25-Mar
30-Mar
1-Apr
6-Apr
8-Apr
13-Apr
15-Apr
20-Apr
22-Apr
27-Apr
29-Apr
4-May
6-May
13-May
Topic
Have Read for Today:
Introduction and Overview
---
Gravity and Motion
Ch 2 - Gravity & Motion
Light and Atoms
Ch 3 - Light & Atoms (3.1-3.3)
Light and Atoms
Ch 3 - Light & Atoms (3.4-3.6)
Telescopes
Ch 4 - Telescopes (4.1-4.5)
Solar system formation
Ch 7 - Survey of the Solar System (7.2-7.3)
The Sun (Sol)
Ch 11 - The Sun, Our Star (11.1-11.2)
The Sun (Sol)
Ch 11 - The Sun, Our Star (11.3-11.4)
Exam
Stars
Ch 12 - Meas. the Prop. of Stars (12.1-12.3)
Stars
Ch 12 - Meas. the Prop. of Stars (12.4-12.6)
Stars
Ch 12 - Meas. the Prop. of Stars (12.7-12.8)
Stellar Evolution
Ch 13 - Stellar Evolution (13.1-13.3)
Stellar Evolution
Ch 13 - Stellar Evolution (13.4-13.6)
Stellar Evolution
Ch 13 - Stellar Evolution (13.7-13.9)
Stellar Remnants
Ch 14 - Stellar Remnants (14.1-14.2)
Stellar Remnants
Ch 14 - Stellar Remnants (14.3)
Exam #2
Spring Break
Spring Break
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 15 - The Milky Way Galaxy (15.1-15.3)
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 15 - The Milky Way Galaxy (15.4-15.6)
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 15 - The Milky Way Galaxy (15.7-15.8)
Galaxies
Ch 16 - Galaxies (16.1-16.3)
Galaxies
Ch 16 - Galaxies (16.4-16.6)
Clusters & Superclusters
Exam #3
Cosmology
Ch 17 - Cosmology (17.1-17.3)
Cosmology
Ch 17 - Cosmology (17.4-17.6)
Life in the Universe
Read: Essay #3
Life in the Universe
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
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