Fall 2000 ASTR 1120-001 Syllabus

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

The Cosmic Perspective, by J. Bennett, M. Donahue, N. Schneider & M. Voit .

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