Session 2015-2 Spring
Weaver Hall W-37A
W 6:00 – 10:00 PM
PRE-ASSIGNMENT:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Exercises and Problems
Exercises and Problems
Gregory Finn gfinn@ben.edu
Dr.
Brian Carrigan
Weaver Hall W-38 bcarrigan@ben.edu
217-718-3525
17, 19, 25
1, 3, 16, 28, 30
The Universe: Stars, Planets and Our Solar System with Laboratory (ASTR 204)
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Universe: Stars, Planets and Our Solar System (4 credits) is a course designed to emphasize the constructs of nearby space phenomena by use of lectures and lab. Areas of study include an overview of ancient and modern astronomy; becoming familiar with the celestial sphere; developing observational techniques for night time viewing; the concepts of space, time, and gravity; a thorough study of each planet in our solar system; plus comets and asteroids; and our own Milky Way Galaxy. Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra or equivalent. (Three lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory weekly).
II. TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS
Bennet, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit, The Essential Cosmic Perspective , 6 th edition;
ISBN: 978-0321 718 235; 0 321 718 232
III. MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world community.
IV.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Benedictine Core Goals
Benedictine University’s core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad range of learning goals, listed below:
1.
Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative and research skills;

2.
Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical data;
3.
Acquire knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization to include: a. the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the individual in community; b. the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and institutions; c. scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods and the impact of science on the individual, society and the environment; d. artistic and literary heritage;
4.
Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence of peoples and nations;
5.
Apply liberal learning in problem solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society; and
6.
Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations of individuals and groups and the common good.
B.
Objectives.
The following Student Learning Objectives are addressed:

Know and apply the central concepts of physics and astronomy to understanding the formation, structure, and behavior of planets and other celestial bodies, and to understand current ideas of the development of planetary systems

Use technology to enhance learning.

Problem-Solving Skills: Use multiple techniques, including calculation, physical reasoning, collaboration, and experimental/observational techniques to gain greater understanding of the universe.

Social Responsibility: Make ethical and informed decisions, both in the classroom and in terms of behaviors that influence global society.
C.
Mode of Inquiry Leaning Goals and Objectives
1a: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through investigations such as
∙
An analysis of the confrontation between theories of planetary motion and observations of the planets and other celestial bodies in order to determine what observations are critical in the establishment of our modern understanding of our place in the universe
∙
Use of an understanding of the causes of magnetic fields to understand why some planets (including Earth) have significant magnetic fields while others do not; this understanding is demonstrated by the ability to predict the existence or nonexistence of an significant magnetic field strength given certain information about a planet

∙
Analyses of the surfaces of planets and of satellites (such as our Moon) to understand the processes that shape planetary surfaces and the time-scale of planetary impacts
1b: Students will be required to identify, study, and solve problems Examples of these problem solving approaches will include:
∙
The analysis of the effects of greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) on planetary conditions
∙
An assessment of the threat posed to life on Earth by the possibility of asteroid impacts, and methods to reduce the threat of such impacts
6a: Personal growth through the development of intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning
∙
Fostered through observations of the sky (conditions permitting)
∙
∙
An introduction to web-based sources of astronomical news
Emphasis in the course on science as a process of learning (a mode of inquiry, rather than a body of knowledge) and on the ways in which a variety of phenomena relate to one another because they arise from a common source
V. TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
This course will involve a combination of computer-based instruction, in-class sessions devoted to developing problem-solving skills and discussion, and laboratories. The laboratories will include observations (weather permitting), in-class laboratories, and computer simulations.
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation for it to be considered excused.
Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.

Reading Assignments
The following portions of the text should be read before class on the week indicated:
Week 1 – Chapters 1 and 2
Week 2 – Chapter 3 and 4
Week 3 – Chapter 5
Week 4 – Chapter 6
Week 5 – Chapter 7
Week 6 – Chapter 8
Week 7 – Chapters 9 and 10
Written Assignments and Projects
Homework is due by noon on Tuesday of the week indicated below. Homework must be turned in through the D2L site. The first week’s homework will be accepted in class at the start of the first class; in all other cases, late homework will not be accepted. Note that there is an assignment due the first week. In addition, laboratory reports are due one week after the laboratory is performed. Laboratory reports are due in class. The term paper must be turned in through D2L by the start of the last class.
2
3
4
Week Chapter
1 1
2
3
4
5
Exercises and Problems
17, 19, 25
1, 3, 16, 28, 30
6, 9, 10, 12, 13
1, 2, 4, 5, 29, 45
11, 18, 25, 42, 48
8
8
5
6
7
6
7
8
9
10
1, 3, 4, 5, 25, 29
3, 4, 8, 10, 17, 19
1, 5, 6, 9, 26
2, 4, 5, 10
1, 5, 9, 36
Term Paper
Presentation: A five to ten minute presentation on some aspect of astronomy to be given during the last class period. You must submit documentation (a PowerPoint presentation or rough draft) by the next-to-last period. You are free to choose a topic that interests you; this is as opportunity for you to explore your own corner of the universe. But it is an academic presentation, and you are expected to research your topic in depth (at least three sources, which must be cited in your documentation). Part of the grade for the presentation will be based on the quality of your research; you will also be graded on the manner of the presentation—it helps to practice your presentation.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university. Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage.

Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may result in sanctions that could have profound longterm effects. The final responsibility for understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of
Academic Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic dishonesty:
 a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
 dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
 dismissal from the Institution.
Electronic Devices in Class: Cell phones must be turned off during class sessions. If there is some serious need for your cell phone to be turned on, it must be set to vibrate.
There will be breaks during the class sessions if you need to check your phone. Note: A grade penalty of 1% will be deducted for each use of a cell phone in class (not counting the class breaks). Thus, if your cell phone goes off five times, your grade will be reduced
5%. Use of a cell phone during a test will result in the immediate confiscation of your test. You will not be able to do any more work on that test.
If you have forgotten to turn your phone off and it rings while you are taking the test, turn it off immediately, without answering.
Other electronics: Other electronic devices such as, but not limited to, computers and game devices, must be turned off during class. Calculators are allowed and encouraged during tests; however, use of a cell phone or other device capable of communicating with an outside source is prohibited. Use of a prohibited device during a test will result in the immediate confiscation of your test. You will not be able to do any more work on that test.
Food and Beverages: No food or beverages are allowed in the laboratory at any time.
There are no exceptions to this policy.

VII. MEANS OF EVALUATION
There will be short tests (quizzes) in each of the first seven class sessions, plus homework assignments, laboratory exercises, and a presentation on an astronomical topic of your choice (subject to approval by the instructor). The first test/quiz will be for practice, and will not count as part of your grade. Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Six in-class test
Homework
10% of course grade (60% total)
15% of course grade
Presentation
Laboratories
10% of course grade
15% of course grade
Homework will be awarded a maximum of three (3) points per problem. Your homework grade for the course will be determined by the number of homework points you have earned divided by the total number of possible homework points.
Your course grade will be translated to a letter grade on the following scale
90 – 100 A
80 – 90
70 – 80
B
C
60 – 70
< 60
D
F
In order that there be no misunderstanding: if your grade is exactly on the border between two letter grades, you have earned the higher of those two grades (e.g., a grade of 90 is an
A, not a B; a grade of 80 is a B, not a C). However, grades not exactly on the border will not be rounded up: an 89.5 is a B, not an A.
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate. See the
Student Handbook for additional details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C” or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the

Advising Office. Please refer to the Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII. TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
1 Introduction to astronomy; our place in the universe, scale of the solar system and the universe, motions of stars, planets, the Moon, and the Sun
2
3 in the sky
The nature of science, geocentric model of the universe, the Copernican revolution, Kepler’s laws, Newton’s laws, gravity, tides
Properties of light; introduction to the solar system, regularities in the
4
5 solar system, the formation of the solar system
Geology of the terrestrial planets, planetary magnetic fields, the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets, histories of the atmospheres of
Venus and Mars
Jovian planets, composition and structure of Jupiter and Saturn, composition and structure of Uranus and Neptune, satellites of the giant
6
7 planets, planetary ring systems
Asteroids, comets, meteorites, dwarf planets, large impacts
Detection of extrasolar planets, nature of extrasolar planets, formation of planetary systems, life in the universe
Presentations 8
IX. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course requirements, should contact the Resource
Center as early as possible: springaccess@ben.edu or (217) 717-9253. Their office is located in the Library Resource Center (lower level of the Becker Library).
X. ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus in Sections IV and VI. Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of instruction.