ASTRONOMY (ASTR1110) SYLLABUS – Spring 2011
Grading Policy and General Information
Instructor: Parke Kunkle
Office:
S3330 (occasionally S2200)
Office Hours:
(Changes posted by my office door and on my website)
W 8:15am -11:30am,
Th 1:10pm - 2:10pm, and by appointment.
Phone:
612-659-6068
E-Mail:
Parke.Kunkle@minneapolis.edu
Please keep phone and email messages short and to the
point.
Grades will not be discussed by phone or email, for
privacy reasons. Use my office hours.
Class: If you know you will miss a class, come to a different section that same day. Let me know.
Sec. 01
T, Th 8:15 - 9:30am
S3400
Sec. 02
T, Th 9:45 - 11:00am
S3400
Sec. 90
T, Th 5:30 - 6:45pm
S3400
Astronomy Class Web Site: http://mctcteach.org/astronomy
Check here for course materials such as: class calendar, test dates, due dates, handouts, notes, special events, links, grades,
grade calculator, office hours, contact information, etc.
Recommended Text:
Owning your own text is very helpful to use as a reference if you did not understand something in lecture. If you are very
good at looking things up on the web, you may not need to buy a text. Some good texts are:
 Michael A. Seeds, "Horizons: Exploring the Universe" 10th edition ISBN-13: 9780495113584
 or Seeds and Backman, "Horizons: Exploring the Universe" 11th edition ISBN-13: 9780495559733
 or Dana Backman and Michael A. Seeds, "Astro 4LTR", 1st Edition ISBN-13: 9780538738040
 or any other introductory astronomy text.
Two texts are on reserve in the MCTC library but they must be used in the library. Used texts and earlier editions are less
expensive. E-texts and rentals are also available.
Description: Astronomy is the scientific study of the objects and processes in the universe with particular emphasis on
collections of matter like planets, stars and galaxies and their interactions. Topics examined in this course will include our
place in the universe, observable sky sights (like the Sun, Moon, planets, and constellations), some history of astronomy (the
Copernican Revolution), science and the process of science, how we get information from the stars, our solar system, the
birth of stars and planets, the death of stars (including supernovas and black holes), collections of stars, and the origin and
fate of the universe.
Success in this course: Former students tell me your best chance of success in this course occurs when you:
1. Limit your load. (If you work 30 hours per week, you should only take 5 credits!)
2. Study at least two hours outside of class for every hour in class. Since Astronomy is a 3 credit class, spend 3 hours in
class and 6 more hours outside of class each week.
3. Study nightly not just the day before a test.
4. Form and actively participate in study groups.
5. Use flash cards to write out your answers to all Objectives found in the notes. Discuss them with your class mates.
6. Attend and actively participate in class. Take notes, ask questions, etc.
7. Read the text or notes before and after each class. When reading a chapter in the text, read the summary first. Then skim
the chapter. Then read the chapter, highlighting where needed. Then reread the summary.
Respect: Please RESPECT your class mates, your instructor, the staff, your school, and yourself.
1. Be ON TIME. I expect that you will be in your seat and ready when class starts. Do not disrupt class by coming late.
2. Wait until class ends to pack up. Do not disrupt class by leaving early.
3. Turn off cell phones and electronic devices.
4. Eat and sleep before or after class, not during class.
5. Read the college catalog, the student handbook and the student bulletins so you know your rights and responsibilities. Pay
attention to the college academic policies regarding plagiarism and cheating.
Astronomy (ASTR1110) Syllabus Page 2 of 2
Grading
Methods of Evaluation
Best four of the following five:
Sky Observations (25%): Star Gazing + Planetarium + Sunset + Moon Motion + Moon Phases + Moon Craters
Hour Exam 1 (25%): In-class exam
Hour Exam 2 (25%): In-class exam
Hour Exam 3 (25%): In-class exam
Final Exam (25%): Comprehensive exam
Calculating your grade:
Each of the five items above will be graded on a percent basis as follows:
A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 65-79%, D = 50-64%, F < 50%
To determine your overall grade, average the best four of five scores above.
Posting your grade: Grades will be posted on my website using the secret code you gave me in class.
Grade calculator: A grade calculator is available on my website.
Class participation and attendance: Class helps! Class activities often contain many helpful hints, tips, useful
information, test taking techniques, explanations of assignments, and marvelous demonstrations on which the instructor has
dedicated many hours. You’d hate to disappoint him by missing these.
Class activities, quizzes, impromptu sky exercises, picking up exams, being on time, etc. will be used to determine border
line grades at the instructor’s discretion.
If you miss a class activity or quiz, there is no make-up. Handouts will not be saved but most will be available on the
website.
If you miss the entire first week of class, or if you miss this class for two or more consecutive weeks, the college may
officially withdraw you from the class but you will still be liable to pay the tuition. See the college website for the
complete policy.
Make up tests, quizzes, activities, extra credit, and late assignments: None. I drop one item (see “Methods…” above).
Incompletes: A grade of I (incomplete) is intended for emergencies late in the term. Incompletes might be given only if
the student meets the following conditions: The student has actively participated in class, and the student has a grade of C
through at least 3/4 of the course, and the college verifies the emergency, and the instructor accepts a schedule from the
student to make up the work. See the college website for the complete policy.
Resources
Magazines: (Available at MCTC library, at some local newsstands, and online)
"Sky and Telescope", Sky Publishing Corp., http://www.skyandtelescope.com/index.html
"Astronomy", http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx
Texts: One copy of Seeds, and other textbooks are on reserve in the MCTC library under Kunkle.
Videotapes: Videotapes are on reserve in the MCTC library under Kunkle or in my office.
Websites: Links to excellent websites are included in the notes on the class website. For recent events, see the two sites
listed above or http://www.universetoday.com/
Learning Center: Tutors are available in the LC in room T4300.
This syllabus is available in alternate format. Contact the instructor.
Revised 3 Jan2011