Syllabus
Astronomy 111
Spring 2011
Instructor: David Emigh
Homework E-mail Address: mailto:david.emigh@gmail.com
All homework that is being submitted online must be sent to this address or sent using the email function in Vista. I will not be responsible for homework sent to my regular e-mail address.
Time: Online
Room: 125 at QVCC
Text: “Foundations of Astronomy, 11th ed.”, by Michael Seeds
Catalog Description: This is an introductory course in astronomy that covers the origin and evolution of the sun, the universe, and the planets. In addition, methods of observing and analyzing astronomical events will be discussed. Students may also explore special topics of contemporary interest.
Tests: There will be NO TESTS (yippee). You will have computerized labs, weekly homework, and research projects. ALL of these projects can be done with your team. This course will have a lot of math, but I know some of the students in the class are talented mathematically, so there will be plenty of help available. And of course, I will be willing to help you with anything that you may need my help. ALL you need to succeed in this class is the willingness to work hard in astronomy.
Course Content: Astronomy is a vast field and we could spend an entire semester just talking about interstellar gasses. As the instructor, I must choose the subjects that we will concentrate on in this course. Since my interests lie in deep space astronomy and particularly stellar evolution we will spend the bulk of this class on those subjects. The book I choose is the only book that I know of that has deep space astronomy before planetary astronomy. That is why I choose “Foundations of Astronomy” as our textbook.
Grading:
20% Homework
35% Labs (all computerized) Due on day of Lab unless otherwise noted
25% Planetary research paper, this paper is due April 29, 2009. You will be expected to present your paper to the class during finals week. The paper should be about 2000 words or more. If it is being used as your graduation paper is needs to be at least 2500 words. Please talk to me early about this option.
10% Assigned deep space research short paper. This paper will be over 500 words and will be described in class. It will be assigned in late February and due Wednesday, March 25.
10% Moon Journal as described below and in class.
Math: Astronomy is a mathematical subject. In order to understand what astronomers do you must see the math. However, I certainly do not want math to be a roadblock to your success in the course. All of the homework will have math, but you are encouraged to do you homework with your collaborative group (by the way, I am naturally a member of all of the collaboration groups) so that solving the problems is part of a group effort. Those of you who are strong in math are encouraged to help your fellow students with their own work. I will go through many of the problems in class. All homework assignments are due on Thursday. ALSO I hope that you students will share your homework difficulties on our online bulletin board (Either Vista or http://qvccastronomy.blogspot.com). I will answer questions posed on the bulletin board and sent to me by e-mail. I will generally look for homework problems on Sunday and post what I can soon after. On liners might consider getting together in the Vista chat function at arranged times.
Moon or other Observing Journal: Every student will be required to complete a half semester long observing journal. The moon journal is a half semester long observation of the moon. Five times a week at a set time (10:00 pm for example) you will go outside and note the weather, where the moon is (or is not), and what phase it is in. You can either start the last week of January and observe until the time change in April, or start the Sunday after the Time Change until the end of the first week of May. You may choose to extend this project over the semester and only do three day a week.
Other needs: If you are a student who has documented special needs please come talk to me privately so that I can tailor this class to help meet these needs. If you need documentation, you should see Chris Scarborough in the learning assistance center.
posted by David @ 9:30 AM
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