PES 106 General Astronomy II – Spring 2008
TR 9:25-10:40am ENGR 103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENGR 244, (MW 11, T 12:30pm)
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Site: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Text: (optional) Astronomy: A Beginner’s Guide to
the Universe, by Chaisson & McMillan
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
Prerequisite: None
Attendance: Attendance will not be monitored. It is each student’s responsibility to cover any
material due to missed lectures. Call the Snow Line (262-3346) for snow closure information.
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 included)
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.
Grades: In summary, your grade will be computed as follows:
Evaluation
Weight
Average of best 3 of 4 Exams
85 %
Projects
15 %
The letter grade ranges are posted on my website. Ranges include +’s and –‘s.
Disabilities: Students with disabilities should provide their letters of certification and accommodation
within the first two weeks of class. Special accommodations for tests are required a week prior to
the scheduled exam date.
Calculators: Calculators will not be required for this course. Calculators will be allowed during
exams, if desired. Projects may also require use of calculators.
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.
Cell phones, classroom: Please show proper etiquette by turning cell phones to silent mode and
keeping conversation to a minimum during lecture. Please remain in the classroom unless an
emergency arises, since foot traffic in the class can be disruptive to other students.
R. Gist
1 of 2
1/21/2008
PES 106 General Astronomy II – Spring 2008
TR 9:25-10:40am ENGR 103
Significant Dates
Date
Mar 24 – Mar 30
May 15 (Thursday)
Event
Spring Break
Final Exam
Note
No class
8:00am to 10:30am
Schedule (subject to change)
Date
22-Jan
24-Jan
29-Jan
31-Jan
5-Feb
7-Feb
12-Feb
14-Feb
19-Feb
21-Feb
26-Feb
28-Feb
4-Mar
6-Mar
11-Mar
13-Mar
18-Mar
20-Mar
25-Mar
27-Mar
1-Apr
3-Apr
8-Apr
10-Apr
15-Apr
17-Apr
22-Apr
24-Apr
29-Apr
1-May
6-May
8-May
15-May
R. Gist
Topic
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Thu
Have Read for Today:
Introduction and History
---
Gravity, Motion & Energy
Ch 1: Gravity, Motion & Energy
Light and Atoms
Ch 2: Light & Atoms
Light and Atoms
Ch 2: Light & Atoms
Solar System Formation
Extra-solar systems
Ch 4.3: Solar System Formation
Ch 4.4: Extra-solar systems
The Sun (Sol)
Ch 9: The Sun
The Sun (Sol)
Ch 9: The Sun
Exam #1
Stars
Ch 10: Measuring the Stars
Stars
Ch 10: Measuring the Stars
Interstellar Matter
Ch 11: Interstellar Matter
Stellar Evolution
Ch 12: Stellar Evolution
Stellar Evolution
Ch 12: Stellar Evolution
Stellar Remnants
Ch 13: Neutron Stars & Black Holes
Stellar Remnants
Ch 13: Neutron Stars & Black Holes
Exam #2
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 14: The Milky Way Galaxy
Spring Break
Spring Break
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 14: The Milky Way Galaxy
Milky Way Galaxy
Ch 14: The Milky Way Galaxy
Galaxies
Ch 15: Normal & Active Galaxies
Galaxies
Ch 15: Normal & Active Galaxies
Galaxies
Ch 15: Normal & Active Galaxies
Clusters & Superclusters
Ch 16: Galaxies and Dark Matter
Clusters & Superclusters
Ch 16: Galaxies and Dark Matter
Exam #3
Cosmology
Ch 17: Cosmology
Cosmology
Ch 17: Cosmology
Life in the Universe
Ch 18: Life in the Universe
Review
Final Exam
2 of 2
1/21/2008