Cypress College

ASTR 116H

 Honors Astronomy

   Spring 2006

Section:  21141.  Lecture:  MW 8:30-9:50 AM SEM-106.

Professor:  Dr. Ron Armale      

Office:  SEM-259,  Phone:  (714) 484-7000 Ext. 48638. 

Science/Math Division:  (714) 484-7153.  FAX:  (714) 952-9667. 

Email:  RArmale@CypressCollege.edu

Security: Put course number/title in the Subject field.  Include your full name and ID #.

Web: http://sem.cypresscollege.edu/~astronomy/

Office hours: M 12-1:30PM,  T10-11AM, W12-1, Th T10-11AM, 12:30-1, or by appointment.

Required Text

Astronomy, A Beginnerıs Guide to the Universe , by Chaisson and McMillan, 4th edition.

 

Course Description

ASTR 116HC HONORS INTRO TO ASTRONOMY 3 Units

Three hours lecture per week.  UC Credit Limitation/CSU, AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC

This course is an enhanced introduction to the concepts and  theories of astronomy. Topics include the night sky, history of astronomy, the solar system, the sun, moon, planets, extra solar planets, stars and the interstellar medium, black holes, galaxies, cosmology, and life in the universe. Visits to local observatories and planetariums may be arranged. Duplicate credit not granted for ASTR 116 C.

Teaching Philosophy

Math and memorization of facts are not our goals.  I emphasize the understanding of processes and the development of critical thinking skills.  Plan to spend at least six hours of study outside of class each week.

 

Supplies:  scientific calculator (optional), Web access, Scantron forms No. 882.

Ground Rules

·      Attend all lectures.  It will influence your grade in borderline cases.  If you miss more than 6 classes, you may be dropped.  If the drop date has passed you will receive an F grade.  Note that It is your responsibility to officially drop the course if you want to withdraw. 

·      Be on time.  Tardiness and leaving early are rude and disruptive.  If you are late, you must be as quiet as possible. 

·      Respect your teacher and classmates.  Go outside to talk.

·      Eat and drink before or after class.

·      Turn off phones and pagers before you enter the classroom.

·      Be honest.  Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.  If caught, you will fail the course. 

Grading

Homework

Four Exams

Projects (3)

Final exam

Extra Credit

15%

40%

25%

20%

2%

A normal distribution (curve) will be used, which usually results in approximately the following  grade distribution:

A =85-100%

B =75-84%

C = 60-74%

D = 50-59%

F = 0-49%

Homework

You are required to read the entire assigned chapters prior to coming to class.  Take notes while you read and during class, and ask questions.  Homework due dates will be announced in class and online every week.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Your lowest homework score may be dropped. All homework assignments may be viewed online at: http://sem.cypresscollege.edu/~astronomy/courses.shtml

Before you do the homework:  You are required to do the following for each chapter (these assignments will not be collected or graded, but theyıre the best way for you to study for the tests):

1)  Read the entire chapter.  Pay close attention to the figures and read their captions.

2)  Read the Chapter Review (Summary) at least once.

3)  Take the Self-Test:  True or False?/Fill in the Blank. The exam questions will be similar.

4) Return to the Learning Goals at the start of each chapter.   Read each goal and explain it.

To submit your homework

·      Go to http://cvc.blackboard.com/

·      Login:  input username:  fila####c,  Password:  student.

·      Your username is the first TWO letters of your first name followed by the first TWO letters of your last name followed by the last FOUR digits of your ID number, followed by   c  (lower case only, no spaces).  For example: Ron Armale @67891234  would have a username of:  roar1234c

·      Select  ASTR116 then follow instructions after  --> START HERE! <--

·      Select Personal Information and input your email address.

·      For Blackboard help select Help at top after you login.

 

If you cannot login, try the following:

1.    Restart your computer and connect to the internet.

2.    Use a different browser.  You must use Netscape or Internet Explorer 4..0 or above.  Internet Explorer is recommended, Netscape and AOL's browsers may not work.

3.    In Netscape Go to Preferences -> Advanced

4.    then enable:  Java, Java Scripts, Style Sheets, and Cookies.

5.    In Internet Explorer, select Tools -> Internet Options -> Security -> Advanced -> Restore Defaults.

6.    Try a friend's computer or a campus pc.  You may use the computers at the library,  Math Lab (SEM-114), Tutoring Center EOPS (TEII 212/213) or the Writing Center (Humanities-324).

7.    If you have a firewall, it may not allow Blackboard to work.  So disable it or connect from another location.

If none of these work, see me during office hours.  Bring your homework answers before the due date.

Get general help:  http://www.cypresscollege.edu  -> Quick Links -> OnlineŠ

 

Collaboration:  I suggest that you work in small groups (2-3).  Once a solution is reached, write the answer in your own words.  To simply copy the group answer or study the solutions will not help you when you have to think on your own during exams.  Copying homework solutions or answers to questions is cheating.

Short Exams and Final Exam

Exams are closed book.  Theyıre given every 3 weeks.  You may use a calculator although only a few mathematical concepts will be tested.  Tests will include 30 multiple choice questions.  No make-ups are given except in cases of documented emergencies.  The lowest exam score may be dropped. For Exams, bring Scantron Form No 882-ES (100 questions in green) and a No. 2 pencil.

A comprehensive two hour final exam is given.  The exam contains 60 multiple choice questions.  Open textbook only.  No make-ups are given except in cases of documented emergencies.

Three Projects

Each student will do two research projects and one art project on acceptable topics in astronomy.  The research projects must include several references to the scientific literature as well as the results of an Internet search.  The first must include a written report (5 pages worth 10%).  The reports will be submitted to Turnitin.com.  The second must include a 10 minute oral presentation and a poster (10%).  The art project is worth 5% and may include drawing, painting, poetry, etc.  Observational projects are also accepted with instructor prior permission.

ASTR116H  Astronomy Calendar – Spring 2006

Wk

Dates

Chapter

Topics

1

2

3

4

Jan17-20

23-27

30-Feb3

6-10

Prolog.

Prolog

1-2

2-3

The night sky, Scientific Notation (Appendix 1)

Copernican revolution

Light & matter

Telescopes

5

 

6

7

8

Feb 13-17

Feb20

21-24

27-Mar3

Mar6-10

4

 

5, 6

6. 7

7, 8

Exam 1 P-Ch 3, Solar system formation

Holiday:  Presidents Day Feb20

Asteroids and Comets, Earth and its Moon

Mercury, Venus & Mars. Jupiter & Saturn

Exam 2 Ch 4-6, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

9

10

11

12

Mar13-17

Mar20-24

27-31

Apr3-7

Apr10-16

9

10

11

12, 13

The Sun

Measuring the stars

Star Formation Exam 3 Ch 7-10

Stellar evolution, Neutron stars and black holes.

Spring Break

13

14

15

16

17

18

Apr17-21

24-28

May1-5

8-12

15-17

22-26

14, 15

15, 16

16, 17

17, 18

18

The Milky Way Galaxy, Normal and Active Galaxies.

Hubbleıs Law and Dark Matter, Exam 4 Ch 11-14

Cosmology: The Big Bang.

Life in the Universe:  ETs-Where are they?

Review, Final Exams start May 18

Final Exams

 

Exam dates are approximate.

Final Exam (comprehensive, open textbook) Scantron Form No 882:

Monday May 22,  8-10 AM.

Resources and Study guide 

Library Reserve Desk

·      Your textbook, CD software, and several other astronomy reference books are available at the reserve desk for you to use in the library.

·      Sky & Telescope Magazine,

Get more help

·      Math Learning Center  LLRC open in February.

·      Tutoring Center EOPS  Tech. Ed. II- 212/213

·      Writing Center Humanities-324 or LLRC open in February.

Online resources and study guide: http://sem.cypresscollege.edu/~astronomy/courses/astr116

How to succeed in any science course

·      Read the book before class, take notes and write down questions as you read.  I suggest that you read the chapter summary first, to get an idea of what youıre supposed to learn.  Then, read it again after you finish to review what you learned. 

·      Ask questions in class and at office hours and ask your classmates.

·      Take notes in class.  I will write your exams not your textbook authors.

·      Attempt all homework questions yourself.  If you get stuck, donıt give up and assume you can skip this topic.  Science builds on previous material, so ask for help.

·      Collaborate with classmates on homework and exam preparation.

·      Explain difficult concepts to others.   ³you donıt really understand anything unless you can explain it to your grandmother²  -Richard  Feynman.

·      Make use of the Math lab, library and the Tutoring Center.

·      If you have special needs,  Iıll do my best to accommodate you.

 

                                   

                       

 

 

 

³Keep looking up²