Fall 2000 ASTR 1120-001 Homepage
Fall 2000 ASTR 1120-001 General Astronomy: Stars & Galaxies Syllabus
Grading
Grading will be based on
the best 5 of 6 Problem Sets,
the best 4 of 6 Quizzes,
attendance at one Observing Night,
and the Final exam.
Item | Weight |
---|
Problem Sets | 35% |
Quizzes | 30% |
Observing | 5% |
Final | 30% |
Here is the relation between numerical and letter grade:
Score |
Grade |
90-100% |
A |
85-89.9% |
A- |
80-84.9% |
B+ |
75-79.9% |
B |
70-74.9% |
B- |
65-69.9% |
C+ |
60-64.9% |
C |
55-59.9% |
C- |
50-54.9% |
D+ |
45-49.9% |
D |
40-44.9% |
D- |
0-39.9% |
F |
Problem Sets
There will be 6 problem sets, roughly every two weeks,
as listed in the
Timetable.
Only the best 5 will count to your grade,
so you can tube one without penalty.
You are welcome to collaborate on Problem Sets,
but you should complete your own answers.
Quizzes
There will be 6 ten-minute multiple-choice quizzes,
roughly every two weeks,
as listed in the
Timetable.
Each quiz will test material covered in the previous 2/3 weeks.
Each quiz will take place during the first 10 minutes of class.
We will go through the answers immediately following the quiz.
There will be no make-up quizzes.
Since only 4 out of 6 quizzes count to your grade,
you can miss two quizzes without penalty.
Observing Nights
The
Sommers Bausch Observatory (SBO)
has been reserved for the exclusive use of the ASTR 1120 classes
at the dates and times in the table below.
To get your 5% grade,
you should turn up, sign in,
and follow the TA's instructions
on at least one observing night.
You are welcome to turn up more than once.
Before turning up, look at the sky.
SBO will be open only if the sky is clear or at least partially clear.
Remember that Colorado is famous for skiing, not for astronomical observing,
and that skies tend to get worse later in the semester.
Do not procrastinate, for the heavens may not smile upon you.
Date | Starting Time | Moon phase |
W Sep 6 | 8:30pm | 64% (just past first quarter) |
Th Sep 21 | 8:00pm | dark |
W Oct 11 | 7:30pm | +98% (nearly full) |
M Oct 30 | 6:30pm | dark |
W Nov 15 | 6:30pm | -77% (waning gibbous - moonrise 8:37pm) |
Th Dec 7 | 6:30pm | +86% (waxing gibbous) |
Final
The Final exam will cover everything in the course.
It will be mostly multiple choice, with some short answer questions.
Fiske Planetarium
CU's Fiske Planetarium has been reserved
at the usual class time on the days listed in the
Timetable.
You should go directly to Fiske on the listed days.
These shows are part of the course
- quizzes/final may cover material presented in these shows.
Text
Common Courtesy
I expect you:
-
To give the class your full attention;
-
Not to leave class early,
and not to rustle papers in preparation for leaving class.
Please note that University policy forbids bringing food or drink
into lecture halls.
You may expect me:
-
To treat you as an intelligent adult;
-
To finish lectures on time.
Academic Honesty
Please do not cheat on quizzes or exams,
and please do not allow others to cheat from you.
University policy requires any incident of cheating to be reported
to the Dean.
The Dean's Committee takes incidents of cheating very seriously,
and can (and does) impose severe penalties.
For example, the Committee may
remove credit for all courses taken during that semester,
and may suspend or expel a student.
Fall 2000 ASTR 1120-001 Homepage
Updated 14 Sep 2000