Phys 1533 – Descriptive Astronomy
MW 6:00 – 6:50 pm, McCoy Hall 207
Instructor: Dr. Jackie Dunn
Office: 219D
Office Phone: 4184
Email: jackie.dunn@mwsu.edu
Textbook: Astronomy, A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe, 6 th Edition with
MasteringAstronomy by Chaisson & McMillan (ISBN: 0321598768) and Lecture-Tutorials
for Introductory Astronomy, 2nd Edition by Prather, Slater, Adams, & Brissenden (ISBN:
0132392267)
Office Hours: MW 1:30 – 5:30 pm, F 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Lab: M or W, 7:00 – 8:50 pm, McCoy Hall 203 or Planetarium (in Bolin Hall)
Course Website: http://faculty.mwsu.edu/physics/jackie.dunn/phys1533.asp
Grading: Labs – 15%, Project – 15%, Participation – 10%, Exams (3 @ 20% each) – 60%
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic
concepts of astronomy. We will cover everything from the solar system to how
astronomers believe the universe began. There will be both non-graded and graded inclass activities on a regular basis.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and will be reflected in your participation grade.
Tests can only be made up if you have an excused absence (illness counts only if you can
provide a doctor’s note). Any planned absences from class should be discussed with the
instructor beforehand if you are going to be missing a graded activity (e,g, test, quiz, etc.)
so that make-up plans may be arranged. Excused absences include university sponsored
events, illness (documentation required showing you saw a doctor – you do not need to
disclose why) and the death of an immediate family member (parents, children, siblings,
etc.).
Please try to arrive to class on time (or even a couple minutes early), as we will start right
away. If you must come in late, please do not be disruptive.
Lab: All lab assignments must be completed during the lab period unless otherwise noted.
If you cannot attend lab at any time, you must make arrangements with the instructor to
make-up the lab within one week of when it was originally scheduled. Note that you may
attend either lab section during a given week if you must miss your normal lab time. Labs
will begin the first week with a presentation in the planetarium.
Expectations: Students should read the chapters to be covered on a particular day prior
to coming to class.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you take a direct quote from a source for
one of your assignments, please indicate so by using quotation marks and citing the
source. It should go without saying that any work you hand in should be your own. You
may work together in pairs in lab, but you must submit your own work.
Please turn off your cell phone (or put in silent mode) while in lecture or lab. If you
must take a call during class (prohibited during exams), please leave the room first
so you do not disrupt the class.
Note: In accordance with the law, MSU provides students with documented disabilities
academic accommodations. If you are a student with a disability, please contact me.
Note: By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a "limited right" in all
intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The "limited
right" shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work
product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.
Exams: Exams will be held on the dates listed below. The final exam will be cumulative.
Exam 1:
Wednesday September 30, 2009
Exam 2:
Wednesday November 11, 2009
Final Exam: Monday December 7, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Topics to be covered:
Historical Astronomy
Telescopes & Light
The Solar System
The Sun & Stars
Galaxies
Cosmology
The Search for E.T.