Syllabus Astronomy 101
Professor John W. Hinds
Tel: 415-883-2211
Office: SMN 126
Office Hours 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Wednesday (Check Class Website for changes and
additional hours)
E-mail:
Time
6:10 pm - 9:00pm
Days
TUE
Where
(KTD) BLDG SMN
224
Date Range
AUG 17
-- DEC 4
Schedule Type Instructor
Lecture
John W. Hinds
ASTRONOMY - 101
(No prerequisite. Two lecture and one discussion hour weekly.) This course is a non-mathematical
description of the universe designed especially for the non-science student. Topics include the sky and
its apparent motion, the law of gravity, the nature of light, the solar system, stars and stellar evolution,
galaxies and cosmology, and life in the universe. Can also be offered in a distance learning format.
(CSU/UC) AA/AS Area A, CSU Area B-1, IGETC 5A
3.000 Credit Hours
48.000 TO 54.000 Lecture hours
Textbook Required:
Package ISBN-10: 0133939294 | ISBN-13: 9780133939293 ©2014 • Instock Suggested retail
price: $127.13 This package contains:

Cosmic Perspective, The: The Solar System, 7/E
Bennett, Donahue, Schneider & Voit
ISBN-10: 0321841069 • ISBN-13: 9780321841063
©2014 • Paper, 560 pp

Edmund Scientific Star and Planet Locator
Edmund Scientific
ISBN-10: 0131402358 • ISBN-13: 9780131402355
©2007 • Paper, 1 pp
A STARCHART
Key Topics:
The course is designed to acquaint the student with our new understanding of the universe. We will
explore our changing Cosmic Perspective from the time of the Greeks to present day. We will explore
the science of Astronomy in a manner that will develop the students reasoning skills, including basic
equations that explain how our scientific theories are developed and implemented.
Our Place in the Universe
Understanding the Motion of the night sky
Discovering the Night Sky and Universe for Yourself
The orbits of Planets
Gravity, Light and optics and how they are used do explore the scientific method and Principles of
Astronomy
Formation of Planetary Systems including our Solar System and beyond,
The origin and evolution of the sun and the distant stars,
Unusual and “The Bizarre” contents of the Stellar Graveyard
Our Galaxy and distant Galaxies and how they define the foundation of Modern Cosmology
Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe, as well as the Beginning of Time
Life in the Universe
Tests and Exams:
Several exams will be given throughout the semester each will consist of true/false and multiple choice
questions.
A Midterm and a Final exam will be given
A short Project and or Presentation based on APOD
The total points from the exams will determine 1/2 of the final grade.
The additional 1/2 of total points will be earned through in-class participation and assignments topics for
discussions, and one Research Paper.
Assignments:
Each week we will review basic concepts. For the major topics an assignment including Internet
research will be required to add to our discussion in class.
Students will assigned to a group and choose one topic from a list provided by the instructor and prepare
a three minute presentation to the class on the topic of choice. This will be in the form a scientific report.
Specific instructions will be provided.
Extra credit:
Select and watch any DVD title mentioned by the instructor. 50 points each.
Additional recommendations will occur throughout the semester. These will
include but are not limited to:
Visits to Planetarium, Museums observatories lectures as an example.
Grading Policy:
Grades will be based on the following distribution of points:
Exams: 50 points
Midterm Exam: 100 points Final Exam: 150 points
Weekly discussions: 25 points Weekly assignments: 75 points
Grading Policy:
Grades will be based on the following distribution of points:
Exams:
Midterm Exam:
Final Exam:
Weekly discussions:
Presentation
Weekly assignments:
Project
Your work will be graded on a Point System.
Grading Policy
Superior quality
Good quality
Average quality
Poor quality
Fail
A
B
C
D
F
Students are required to review the Cheating and Plagiarism policies Use of electronic
recording technologies as well as College Computing facilities and basic Internet research and
use of copy-protected material including the Instructors materials as listed in the course catalog
and schedule.
Use of electronic recording devices in class is not
permitted without consultation with the Instructor