Fall 2009 Astr 101 Saul Syllabus
Intro to Astronomy
Instructor: Dr. Jeff Saul
8/31/09 10:47 PM
TA
TA: Mehran Daneshbo
Email: jsaul@unm.edu
Phone: (505) 277-0015
Msg: (505) 277-2616
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Astronomy 101-003 Fall 2009
Location: Regener Hall 103
TuTh 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Dr. Saul's Office hours:
MWF 10:00 - 10:50 AM (RH 109)
Calendar
Syllabus
WebCT
Mastering Astronomy
iClicker
Welcome to Astronomy 101: Introduction to Astronomy
A tour of the universe in 16 weeks
Astronomy is the oldest of the sciences and also one of the most fascinating to people in general. This is a time of great discoveries about
the universe that we all hear about in the press on a seemingly regular basis. One of the goals of this course is for you to become informed
enough about the cosmos to understand how these discoveries have been made and what they really mean.
We have a big task in front of us this semester: a tour of the universe. There’s no prerequisite for this class besides an open mind and a
desire to know what is out there. You will learn some physics and we will use a small amount of math (high school level algebra and
trigonometry)
Course Webpage
http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Saul/00_Classes/FL09_Saul_Astr101home.html
Learning Resources/Materials needed:
Course Text: Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe,
Chaisson and McMillan, 6th ed. This book comes with an access code
for Mastering Astronomy, a study guide and homework website. All
course homework will be done on Mastering Astronomy. The book and
Mastering Astronomy are sold together at the campus bookstore. If
your textbook doesn't come with Mastering Astronomy, you will need
to purchase one online.
iClicker (classroom polling device)
http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Saul/00_IntroAstr/Astr110-Fall09/Syllabus/index.html
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Fall 2009 Astr 101 Saul Syllabus
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Course Description and Goals:
Astronomy 101 is a three-credit course that can count towards the university core course physical and natural sciences requirement. The
Astronomy 101L is the accompanying lab that is taught as a separate course. although it is not required you are strongly encouraged to
take Astronomy 101L.
In this class we will learn about the Earth, our Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe we live in. We will discuss current
ideas about our place in the Universe, how we got here, and where we are headed. By the end of the course you should have a good
enough grasp of the fundamentals and vocabulary to easily follow articles on astronomy in the popular press. You will also learn about the
methods and telescopes used by modern astronomers.
In the lectures, we will occasionally watch a video, and you'll see some of the latest results from the Hubble Space Telescope, various
Mars missions, and more. We’ll also use iClickers and online homework (see below). Please also explore the website that accompanies the
book, through Mastering Astronomy (see below). It contains a hyperlinked version of the book (unfortunately not available until Oct 23),
interactive figures, tutorials, animations and videos.
If you don't understand something, please ask! Chances are, many people around you don't understand it either. Or come to office hours or
send an email if you prefer. And come to office hours if you want to chat about any astronomy-related topic, like something you saw on
TV or read about, or perhaps you are thinking about becoming a physics or astrophysics major or entering an astronomy-related
profession. Also, check out astronomy material on the Web. There is a vast amount of it. Some good links are on the Usefull Links
webpage.
Ground Rules
General: There is not time to do justice to every topic in the book, or in astronomy in general, especially in the lectures. However, you are
generally responsible for all chapter sections listed in the Schedule below, whether I lecture on it or not. There are a couple of exceptions
to this rule. First, the book has more equations than the lectures will. You are only responsible for equations you see in lecture or
homework. Second, you are only responsible for the More Precisely boxes, some of which have a lot of math, if I lecture on them in class.
It will benefit you greatly to read the relevant chapter or sections before I discuss them in class, including the supplementary material on
the book’s website. The lectures are used to reinforce the reading and to explain the more important concepts in some detail.
Regarding grade disputes; if you feel your test grade is in error, please bring it to my attention no later than 2 weeks after receiving your
graded test.
Homework: There will be regular reading assignments and homework. Reading assignments should be completed BEFORE the class
time. Homework assignments will be completed on-line through the Mastering Astronomy web pages.
Online homework – MasteringAstronomy: There will be nearly-weekly online homework assignments using MasteringAstronomy.
Your book should have come with an access code for the website www.masteringastronomy.com which will allow you to register and
create an account. To register (with or without an access code), click on the <New Students> button. If you have an access code, click on
<Yes, I have an access code>. If you don’t have an access code, choose <No, I need to purchase access online now>.
Important notes for registering: The UNM Zip code is 87131. Our Course ID is FALL09ASTR101SAUL. For your “Login Name” enter
your nine-digit UNM Banner ID number (ignore the recommendation to use your email address). THIS IS CRUCIAL!!! YOU WILL
ALSO CHECK YOUR TEST GRADES AND COURSE GRADE ON THIS WEBSITE AND THE ID MUST MATCH THE BANNER
ID YOU WRITE ON THE TESTS FOR THIS TO WORK!!! Don’t put in your name or email for “Login Name”. For “Student ID” enter
your Banner ID again. You have to use your BANNER ID so that you will be able to see your clicker and test results on the Mastering
Astronomy web site.
On your assignments you will find that many questions include hints (for which there is a small bonus for not revealing) and feedback on
incorrect answers. Note that each assignment carries a different number of points. Each has a due date and time, but you can take as long
as you want before that time. There is a 7% penalty for every day the assignment is submitted late. You can go back and review any
assignment for practice throughout the semester. The first assignment is a generic introduction that will not be graded, but will greatly help
you understand how everything works. Do this assignment first. The next one is due Sept 8 at midnight. They will generally be due
Tuesdays at midnight, but check the site for the exact due dates. You can rework any assignment for practice until the end of the semester.
Any students who do not appear to be true participants in the online assignments will be suspended from the website.
iClickers. To help you review for the tests, and earn class participation credit, we will use iClickers. Starting Tuesday in the second week,
http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Saul/00_IntroAstr/Astr110-Fall09/Syllabus/index.html
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Fall 2009 Astr 101 Saul Syllabus
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at some point in each lecture we will do three or four clicker questions that review the previous one or two lectures. You can get credit
just by participating: if you try to answer, right or wrong. If you answer >90% of the questions throughout the semester, this will count as
100% credit.
Register your iClicker at http://www.iclicker.com/registration. FOR “STUDENT ID” ON THAT SITE, ENTER YOUR BANNER ID. DO
THIS EVEN IF YOU’VE ALREADY REGISTERED IT FOR ANOTHER CLASS. THIS IS IMPORTANT! YOU MAY NOT GET THE
CLASS PARTICIPATION CREDIT IF YOU DON’T DO THIS! You can also retrieve your remote ID on that webpage if it
has become illegible.
Lectures: I will present lectures in powerpoint, with occasional demonstrations. Some material may not be covered in the book. The
lectures will be interactive in that I will ask true/false or multiple choice questions of the class and then review the answers. Your
participation in responding, and in asking questions of your own is strongly encouraged and will count toward your grade in the class.
Cell phones, Ipods, blackberries, etc.: keep them turned off and out of sight in class or preferably don't bring them to class at all. If a
phone rings, I will stop lecturing and stare in the direction of the ringing until the problem goes away. Such devices cannot be used or
visible during tests.
Grading. There will be four tests including the final exam, which will not be cumulative, but will only cover material from the last
quarter of the class. There will be NO make-up exams, but the lowest exam score will be dropped, so even if one exam is missed it will
still be possible to obtain an A in the course. Grades will be based on the exams (66%), homework (22%), and class participation (12%).
Answers given during class using the i-clickers will not be scored, but participation will be recorded - note that you must answer more
than half the questions during each class to get credit. Clicker questions are also likely to show up on tests. You are responsible for
bringing your i-clicker to class - it is not possible with a class this large to arrange for loaned clickers. Note: If you take this class
"Credit/No Credit", according to university policy, your final grade must be a "C" or better in order to receive credit.
In order to foster cooperation and collaboration among as many of you as possible, grades will based on an absolute scale. This means that
helping others will not jeopardize your grades, it will, most likely, improve your grade as explaining concepts to other develops
understanding for yourself. The grading scale for this class is:
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
Minimum
Score
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
The breakdown for your class grade is as follows:
In-Class Participation
12%
Best 3 of 4 exams (22% each)
66%
Homework
22%
Total
100%
Please note that 36% of your grade is derived from non-exam work. This means you have a great deal of control over your grade. Also
note that some of your grade originates in class work. It is in your best interest to attend class and actively participate. If you make the
effort on the homework and classroom exercises, you receive credit for the work and will be better prepared to perform well on exams.
Note that this syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Changes will be announced
in class and posted on the syllabus on the class website
http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Saul/00_IntroAstr/Astr110-Fall09/Syllabus/index.html
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Fall 2009 Astr 101 Saul Syllabus
8/31/09 10:47 PM
Schedule of Topics, Reading Assignments, and Homework
Date
Aug 25
Topic
Class Introduction & Pre Diagnostic
Reading
Aug 27
Tour of the Universe & Charting the Heavens
Chap. 0, A-1, A-2
Sept 1
The Sky & Foundations of Astronomy & The Copernican
Revolution
Chapter 1
Sept 3
From Aristotle to Newton
Sept 8
Sept 10
Radiation and the Electromagnetic Specture
Atoms and Spectroscopy
Chapter 2.1-4
Chapter 2.5-8
Sept 15
Telescopes
Chapter 3
Chapter 4.1- 3
Sept 17
Introduction to the Solar System
Sept 22
Exam 1 (will cover up to Chapter 3)
Sept 24
The Earth
Chapter 5.1-6
Sept 29
Oct 1
Our Moon, Mercury, and Venus
Mars
Chapters 5 & 6
Chapter 6
Oct 6
The Jovian Planets
Chapter 7
Oct 8
Moons, Rings, Plutoids, and Other Solar System Debris
Chapter 8 & 4.2
Oct 13
The Sun
Chapter 9
Oct 15
Fall Break - No Class
Oct 20
Oct 22
Exam 2 (will cover up to Chapter 8)
Measuring the Stars
Oct 27
Material Between the Stars: The Interstellar Medium and Star
Formation
Chapter 11
Oct 29
Stellar Evolution
Chapter 12.1-3 &
12.6
Nov 3
Stellar Death: Stellare Explosions and Neutron Stars
Chapter 12.4-5 &
13.1-3
Nov 5
Black Holes
Chapter 13.5-8
Nov 10
Video - Black Holes
Nov 12
The Milky Way Galaxy
Nov 17
Exam 3 (will cover up to Chapter 13)
Nov 19
Nov 24
Galaxies
Galaxies
Nov 26
Thanksgiving - No Class
Dec 1
Cosmology
Dec 3
Video - The Accelerating Universe
Dec 8
Video - The Hunt for Alien Worlds
Dec 10
Dec 15
Life in the Universe & Post Diagnostic
Final Exam - Exam 4
http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Saul/00_IntroAstr/Astr110-Fall09/Syllabus/index.html
Homework
Chapter 10
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18 & 4.4
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