PES 106-2 General Astronomy II
Spring, 2005
MW 12:15-1:30 Engineering #103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENG 244, by appointment (MW 11-12 or by appt.)
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Site: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Prerequisite: None
Credit Hours: 3
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.
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 which will count for 25% of your grade. Unless
arrangements have been made prior to any exam, there will be no make-up exams. To
account for emergencies, I’ll drop the lowest exam grade (once only; final excluded)
Projects: Approximately 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
15-Feb
15-Mar
19-Apr
Various
10-May 10:50 AM to 1:20 PM
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, 2005
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. Projects may also require use of calculators.
Cell phones, PDAs, talking, leaving the classroom: Please show respect to the other
members of the class by turning off the sound on cell phones and PDAs. Imperative
phone calls should be taken outside the classroom. Also, keep conversation to a
minimum during the lecture so that others can hear clearly. Please remain in the
classroom unless an emergency arises, since foot traffic in the class can be disruptive to
other students.
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 18-Feb 15)
Gravity & Motion, Light & Atoms, Telescopes, Solar System Formation, The Sun.
II. Stars and Stellar Evolution (Feb 20–Mar 15)
Stars, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Remnants
III. Galaxies (Mar 20 – Apr 19)
The Milky Way Galaxy; Other Galaxies
IV. Cosmology (Apr 24 - May 1)
Cosmology; Life in the Universe
Significant Dates
Date
Mar 27 – Mar 31
May 11 (Wednesday)
Event
Spring Break
Final Exam
Note
No class
10:50 AM to 1:20 PM
* 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, 2005
Topics, Read-ahead and Exam Schedule*
Date
18-Jan
23-Jan
25-Jan
30-Jan
1-Feb
6-Feb
8-Feb
13-Feb
15-Feb
20-Feb
22-Feb
27-Feb
1-Mar
6-Mar
8-Mar
13-Mar
15-Mar
20-Mar
22-Mar
27-Mar
29-Mar
3-Apr
5-Apr
10-Apr
12-Apr
17-Apr
19-Apr
24-Apr
26-Apr
1-May
3-May
10-May
Topic
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Wed
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 Remnants
Ch 13 - Stellar Evolution (13.7-13.9)
Stellar Remnants
Ch 14 - Stellar Remnants (14.1-14.3)
Exam #2
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)
Spring Break
Spring Break
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
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
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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