AST 105: INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY: THE SOLAR
SYSTEM
Syllabus: Spring 2016
Course Description and Prerequisites :
This course provides and introduction to the Solar System. We start with by exploring the
modern science of Astronomy, continue with a development of the physical concepts necessary
to understand the Solar System, and then focus on what we know about our Solar System. This
course is presented at a level appropriate for non-science majors. Although there are no formal
prerequisites for this class, a high school knowledge of science and basic math will be assumed.
This course does not require SBU course prerequisites.
Textbook:
The Cosmic Perspective, by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit (required). It does not
necessarily have to be the latest edition.
Course material: The topics are grouped as:
Perspective and Astronomy
Introduction / Scale of the Universe
Observations around us: Star Motions on the Sky
Light and Matter
The Solar System
Solar System Formation
Terrestrial Interiors
Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Earth
Atmospheres of Terrestrial Planets
Jovian Planets and Moons
Asteroids, Comets and Meteorites
Exoplanets
(Depending on how the course progresses, we may add or subtract from these topics)
Course Requirements and Grading Policy:
Grading:
10% Clicker questions
15% Two in-class group projects
5% One randomly selected of the several group study sessions, held every 2-3 classes in the last
20-30 minutes of class
40% Three in-class midterms
30% Comprehensive final exam
Clicker Questions:
A few times during each class I will ask questions to get you to think carefully about some of the
concepts we have covered. Often I will have you talk to your neighbors before answering, so you
can help each other figure out the correct answer.
Use of clickers:
Improves your grade. When you discuss and debate with others your
knowledge improves.
Gives YOU immediate feedback regarding what you do and do not understand.
Tells ME what the class does not understand.
Greatly improves class participation.
Points will be assigned as follows:
Answer Assessment
Correct
2 points
Wrong
1 point
No answer 0 points
Each student will have 4 'bonus day' for missing clicker question due to an absence. In other
words, the 4 lowest clicker question scores will be dropped.
Group Projects:
These will have both qualitative and quantitative questions. Students will work in groups of 3, by
their choice. Only condition is that the groups be different in the two projects. Each project will
cover material from the previous half of the course.
Study Groups:
These will have both qualitative and quantitative questions. Students will work in groups of 3, by
their choice. The style is similar to that of the group projects, but with a smaller number of
questions, and will cover only material in the previous 2-3 classes. They will be held every 2-3
classes, in the last 20-30 minutes of class. I will be moving around the classroom and answer
questions, give tips. At the end of the course, one of those study group reports will be randomly
selected for grading and will count for 5% of the grade. If a student missed that particular report,
another one will be randomly selected for the grading.
Midterms:
Each of the three midterms will cover the previous 1/3 of the course material. They will be
administered after roughly 5, 10, 14 weeks of class.
Final Exam: The final exam will cover all the topics of the course.
Throughout the semester, please keep in mind these University regulations.