KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PHY 120 Astronomy
CLASS ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Section 12155 Fall 2011
Please turn off all cell phones and pagers in the classrooms and laboratories
Instructor: John D. Stahl
Office: Room 8540
Telephone: 488-4299 (Physics Lab)
E-mail: jstahl@kvcc.edu
Lectures: Tuesday 6:00pm – 8:55pm, in room 2570.
Office hours: 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Other times by appointment, please
Prerequisite
None
Textbook
Horizons Exploring the Universe 12e. ISBN: 978-1-111-43020-7
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS
Students will be able to use systematic, critical, and creative processes, drawing from
knowledge of appropriate disciplines, to identify problems, analyze alternate solutions,
and make decisions. Students will be able to identify and use information sources in the
process of inquiry. Natural Phenomena and the individual goals addressed: Students will
know the basic components, structures, and functioning of natural phenomena.
Students will have knowledge of the philosophy of science and of principles that are
basic to scientific inquiry and research.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The student will acquire an appreciation of natural phenomena and knowledge derived
from observations.
The student will apply basic laws to explain selected natural phenomena and products of
technology and theories surrounding the nature of the cosmos.
The student will use the laboratory facilities to carry out experiments, record and analyze
the measurements using graphing techniques, error analyses, etc. The student will
make conclusions from the observations that reflect on his or her understanding of the
basic principles of physics.
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GRADING CRITERIA
This is lecture and demonstration, and discussion type of class. The objective is to
acquire some concepts, definition of terms and a minor mathematical understanding of
laws of universe. Thus, tests will include definitions of terms, laws, and conceptual
oriented problems. Tests (3 each 13.3%) will account for 40%, homework will account
for 15%, and the final exam for 15% of the grade. There will be two reports accounting
for 30% of the grade. This will be determined by your performance in the lab and the
quality of the reports. Late homework can be turned in at a penalty of 10% per day late.
Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case basis. There will be no
extra credit for this class.
Grading Scale:
90 - 100 => 4.0
80 - 84 => 3.0
70 - 74 => 2.0
60 - 64 => 1.0
85 - 89 => 3.5
75 - 79 => 2.5
65 - 69 => 1.5
0 - 59 => 0.0
Each test will cover 2 to 3 chapters as shown in the assignment schedule. A
comprehensive final exam will be given on the last day of class.
As a rule, there are no make-up tests. However, if you miss two or more tests due to
unavoidable circumstances, please contact the instructor during office hours. If your
effort has been consistent and diligent, you may make-up as necessary.
NOTE: All tests will be closed text and notes, etc. All tests are cumulative - knowledge
is cumulative and physics is no exception. Tests must be taken on the scheduled
date.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The honor system is used in this course and the student is expected to take tests without
outside assistance. Any student caught cheating on a test will automatically receive a
ZERO for that test. The second time a student is caught cheating on a test, a grade of
ZERO will be given for the course, and a report will be sent to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student and Institutional Support Services.
In all cases of cheating, the materials involved will be confiscated. Cheating is defined
as (i) the use of any unauthorized aid during a test, (ii) obtaining help from another
student during a test, (iii) knowingly giving aid to another student during a test, and (iv)
duplicating or substituting another person's work as one's own work (plagiarism).
Plagiarism is defined as 3 or more significant words in row that are alike.
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Weather
Weather line number is 488-4750. Weather announcements can be heard on
WKZO, WKMI/WKFR, WQLR/WQSN, and WMUK radio stations or by watching
WWMT, CHANNEL 3.
EXCEPTIONS AND CHANGES
Exceptions and/or changes that need to be made to class requirements or the
course schedule will be made by the Instructor with a verbal explanation in class
or a written handout.
Assistance is available in the Learning Center (Room 2220). Please drop in or
call 488-4397 and set up appointments as individuals or in groups.
Class Format: Class time will be used to present and discuss material for the
course. It is expected that students will be prepared or the scheduled lessons by
reading assigned chapters and/or working problems. Students should participate
as much as possible for the maximum benefit. Laboratory will immediately follow
the class session. Students are required to prepare for the Laboratory exercises
before class session.
Graduation competencies addressed in this class:
Effective written and oral communication skills
Ability to think critically and to solve problems
Ability to work in groups
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Date
6-Sep
Lecture
Introduction/Ch 1
13-Sep
Ch 2
20-Sep
27-Sep
Assignments
Ch 3
Ch 4
Take Home Test I
(Ch 1 – 3)
4-Oct
Ch 5
Assign Report I
11-Oct
Ch 6
18-Oct
Ch 7
25-Oct
1-Nov
Ch 8
Take Home Test II
(Ch 4 – 7)
Ch 9
Assign Report II
8-Nov
Ch 10
15-Nov
Ch 11
22-Nov
Ch 12
Take Home Test III
(Ch 8 – 11)
29-Nov
Ch 13
6-Dec
Ch 14
13-Dec
FINAL EXAM
20-Dec
Semester Ends
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