Instructor: Prof. Jonathan Tan office: 302 Bryant; tel. 352 392-2052 ext 254 email: jt @ astro.ufl.edu office hours: Thursdays 1.40pm-2.40pm or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Jorge Perez-Gallego
Office: 319A Bryant; tel. 352 392-2052 ext 281 email: jgallego @ astro.ufl.edu office hours: in discussion sections (see class webpage)
Class Web site: www.astro.ufl.edu /~jt/teaching/ast1002/index.html
Lecture time and place: Tuesdays: 11:45am-1:40pm (periods 5 & 6); Thursdays:
12:50pm-1:40pm (period 6) in Pugh 170
Discussion sections: Regular discussion sections will take place in Rooms 3 and 7,
Bryant Space Sciences Building (BRT). The schedule of these discussion sections will be announced in lecture and posted on the class website. Concepts and ideas covered in the lectures will be discussed in more detail, and with greater opportunity for questions from students. Some guidance will be provided for homework questions, although solutions will not be given out before the homework is due. Students are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in these discussion sections and extra credit , up to 5%, can be gained in this way. We will also have a web-based discussion forum for the class where you can post questions and discuss topics. Your participation here can also generate extra credit.
Text:
Astronomy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe by Chaisson & McMillan, 5 th
Edition.
Course Contents:
This course offers a broad overview of modern astronomy. Our goal is to help you gain an understanding of how the universe works. We will cover:
Motions of the sky
A historical development of our understanding of the solar system: An example of the scientific method
The properties of the planets within our solar system
Light and telescopes
The nature and lives of stars
The nature of our Milky Way Galaxy
Properties of other galaxies
The origin and fate of the Universe

The search for extraterrestrial life
General Education:
AST 1002, Discover the Universe, is a GenEd physical science (P) course.
As the list of topics above demonstrates, the course covers not only the Universe and the bodies in it -- planets, moons, stars, galaxies, etc. -- but also how we know about those things, making use of our understanding of the underlying physics of orbits and radiation.
Class Expectations and Obligations:
Prepare for each class -
We will provide lecture notes on the class web site. Reading assignments for each class are given each lecture.
You must complete the reading assignment and read the latest posted notes before each lecture.
Participate in lectures -
In order to stimulate critical thinking and gauge how well you understand the material, we will ask you questions based on the lectures and reading assignments.
You should participate in the lecture by answering these questions and also asking your own questions.
You must give your full attention during lecture no talking, reading, etc.
Remain for full class period-
We will try to begin and end class on time. If we run over time, please let us know!
You should arrive on time and not get ready to leave until the lecture is finished.
Examinations (85% of grade):
Three in class tests will be given during the semester: Midterm 1 (20% of grade) on
Thursday 25th September 2008 at 12:50pm-1:40pm; Midterm 2 (25% of grade) on
Thursday 30th October 2008 at 12:50pm-1:40pm; Final (40% of grade) on Tuesday
9th December 2008 at 11:45am-1:40pm.
Note this is an “in class” final and tests all the material in the class, though with an emphasis on material covered since midterm 2.
There will not be a final exam during the official finals’ week period. If you have a good reason for being unable to attend an exam you must inform us before the exam.
Homework, Class Participation, and Telescope Observing (15% of grade)
Your major homework responsibility for this class will be to complete the reading assignments given in class, so you can fully participate in the next class. Your full attention and participation is expected during class time. In addition, 7 problem sets will be made available through the class web page. These problems will be similar but not identical to questions that will appear on the exams and are excellent preparation for the exams. Homeworks will be collected in class or discussion section on specified dates. No late homeworks will be accepted. Your best 6 homework scores will contribute to 9% of your grade.
Class participation will make up 1% of your grade, but will also be assessed for up to an additional 5% extra credit (see below). It is important that you try and ask and answer

questions in the lectures. Going to discussion sections also gives you another opportunity to participate and contribute in the class.
Telescope observing: Students are expected to attend one observing session at the campus observatory. These take place every clear Friday evening during the semester and on a few other evenings (directions to the observatory and times are provided in lecture and on the class web site). You must complete an observing form (download from the class web site) describing your observations of three objects. You must also obtain a special token from the staff at the observatory and attach it to your form. Remember to put your name on your form. These observing reports will be graded and contribute 5% of your total grade. The reports are due in class by Tuesday 25 th November 2008.
Do not wait until late in the semester, it may be cloudy!
Extra Credit:
In total you can earn up to 5% extra credit (this can be equivalent to a half letter grade).
Up to 5% can be gained by attending and participating in the Discussion Sections and the Web Forum (see above). Attendance will be recorded at the sections, and participation in discussions will be graded. More details will be given on the class website.
There may be additional opportunities to earn extra credit: pay attention in lecture.
Note the total extra credit you can earn is capped at 5%.
Midterm 1: 20%
Midterm 2: 25%
In Class Final: 40%
Homework: 9%
Class Participation: 1%
Telescope Observing: 5%
Extra Credit: up to 5%
A: >=85
B: 75 - 84
C: 60 - 74
D: 50 – 59
F: < 50

8/26
8/28 - 1/16
9/2
9/4 – 9/9
9/11 – 9/16
9/18
9/23
September 25
9/30
10/2 – 10/7
10/9 – 10/14
10/14 – 10/16
10/21
10/23 – 10/28
October 30
11/4
11/6
11/13 – 11/18
11/18
11/20 – 11/25
12/2
12/4
December 9
Scale of Universe
Motion of Celestial Objects
Ancient Astronomy
Models of the Solar System
Galileo, Newton
Tides
Earth and Moon
Midterm 1
Light, Blackbody radiation,
Greenhouse effect
Terrestrial Planets
Giant Planets
Comets, Asteroids
Interaction of light and atoms
The Birth of Stars and Planets
Midterm 2
The Sun and nuclear fusion
Telescopes and Measuring the
Properties of Stars
Evolution & Death of Stars
Black holes and relativity
The Milky Way, Other Galaxies, and
Active Galactic Nuclei
Cosmology and the Big Bang
The Search for Planets, Life in the
Universe
Final Exam
th
th
th
th

Name:
Email:
Year in College:
Major:
What is the highest level Math course you have taken or are taking?
What science courses have you or are you taking?
Do you believe in astrology?
In your opinion, excluding the Earth, is their life in our solar system?
In your opinion, is there life outside our solar system?
In your opinion is there intelligent life outside of our solar system?
Explain the reason for the seasons.
Why is the sun brighter than the moon?
List subjects you would particularly be interested in learning about during this class.
What would you like to take away from this class?