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Phys 104: Astronomy
Summer 2016
Course Description: Descriptive Astronomy is an introductory course intended for students with an interest in the stars and planets. This course introduces the motion of the stars and planets, the properties of the solar system and its development, and the lives of stars. These ideas will be taught in such a way as to emphasize how astronomers know the properties of the universe and then use their observations to construct scientific models about how the universe works.
| Instructor: | Kisha Delain | Email: | kdelain@stthomas.edu |
| Office | OWS 162 | Phone: | 651-962-5198 |
| Office Hours: | M, W 6:30 - 7:00 pm or by appointment | ||
| Class: | OWS 166 | M-Th | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
| Course Web Page: | http://ida.phys.stthomas.edu/astro/ | ||
Students are encouraged to contact me outside of class with
any questions or concerns.
Required Materials:
- Lecture Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy, 3rd Edition, Prather et al, Pearson Publishing. (2013) Note: you MUST have 3rd edition.
- Cosmic Perspective, 7th edition, Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit. This is a very good textbook but expensive, so find it where you can.
- Mastering Astronomy online access code. Purchase of code comes with e-text, but you lose access to the e-text when the code expires.
Course Goals
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
- Be able to critically assess scientific ideas to tell the difference between science and pseudoscience, and be able to apply this knowledge to popular articles and news on astronomy.
- Be able to draw connections between astronomy and other areas of knowledge.
- Understand the place of humanity in the Universe.
Course Objectives
Students will, by the end of this course:
- Explain what makes a scientific theory valid.
- Describe the motions of the sky in scientific terms.
- Compare different kinds of planets and stars.
- Explain scientific models related to the evolution of the solar system.
- Describe scientific models related to stellar evolution.
- Describe processes involved in our own galaxy.
- Discuss the evolution of the universe.
- Evaluate the possibilities of life in the universe.
- Explain how scientists have made the basic observations that have contributed to the scientific models on which our understanding of the universe is based.
Course Policies
Attendance
Please be punctual. Lateness is a major inconvenience for the other members of the class. A percentage of points will be deducted from your participation score if you are late. To be successful in this course, attendance at all activities is essential. If you cannot attend a class, you must let me know prior to that class or have a medical note. Excessive absences will result in an F grade.
| Evaluation | |
| Essay/Lesson Plan | 15% |
| Labs | 15% |
| Homework | 8% |
| Group Project | 15% |
| Participation | 7% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Grades: | Based approximately upon the distribution as follows: | |
| 92 - 100 | A | |
| 90 - 91.9 | A- | |
| 88 - 89.9 | B+ | |
| 82 - 87.9 | B | |
| 80 - 81.9 | B- | |
| 78 - 79.9 | C+ | |
| 72 - 77.9 | C | |
| 70 - 71.9 | C- | |
| 68 - 69.9 | D+ | |
| 62 - 67.9 | D | |
| 60 - 61.9 | D- | |
| 0 - 59.9 | F | |
Academic Standards
In the process of conducting scientific work, it is essential that an attitude of trust and honesty exists between all participants. In the Physics Department, we have an honor code. We expect you to behave honorably in all aspects of your life. This means that we trust you. For example, you are free to leave the room during a test without asking me. We take this trust seriously and a breach of trust has severe consequences. Cheating in any form is grounds for dismissal from the course with a grade of F.
Examinations
Exams may consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions. You are allowed a calculator on the exams as well, although you should not need one. The final exam will be comprehensive. Exams CANNOT be made up or rescheduled. Use of cell phones, pagers, messaging PDAs, or other wireless communication devices (including laptops for e-mail) is not permitted at any time during exams.
Electronic Devices
Cell phones or similar devices may be used to take photos or voice record my lectures, or otherwise used for appropriate classroom activities. However, please be considerate of your fellow students and myself, and conduct your e-business outside of the classroom or on breaks.
Disability
Any students with special learning needs or disabilities should contact me as soon as possible so that accommodations may be made. This is especially important in the summer, where class moves very quickly! Students are encouraged to register with the Enhancement Program for disability verification and determination of reasonable academic accommodations.
Ethics
There are many issues that our society faces that can be challenging for students, colleagues and yes, even professors. In this class I expect that we will come to the table willing to listen and learn and assume people who are telling their narratives know best about their experiences. While this is a science class, science is not divorced from the human experience, and it is important to recognize that Title VI and Title IX and ADA compliance apply. This means racial, gender, sexual, and disability harassment will not be tolerated.
Course Schedule
*Indicates optional further reading| Day | Topic | Chapter Reading | Assignments | Labs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11-12 | Motion in the Night Sky Science vs. Pseudoscience Historical Perspective: Galileo, Newton, Kepler & more |
CP: 2, 3, S1*, 4 | Solar Heating | |
| Jul 13-14 | Measuring the Universe: Light, Thermal Radiation & Spectroscopy | CP: 5, 10 | Essay Topic Check GP: Abstract & responsibilities due |
Spectroscopy |
| Jul 18-19 | Telescopes | CP: 6 | Jupiter's Moons, Part 1 | |
| Jul 20-21 | The Solar System: Overview & Formation, Asteroids & Comets | CP: 7, 8 | Jupiter's Moons, Part 2 | |
| Jul 25-26 | Comparative Planetology: Terrestrial Planets |
CP: 9, 10 | Essay/Lesson Plan due | Impacts |
| Jul 27 | Moons, Rings, & Dwarf Planets Jovian Planets Extra-Solar Planets |
CP: 10, 11, 12 | GP: check-in | |
| Jul 28 | Midterm Exam | No Lab | ||
| Aug 1-2 | Extra-Solar Planets The Sun Stellar Properties |
CP: 13, 14, 15, 24* | Peer Review due | HR Diagram 1 |
| Aug 3-4 | Stellar Properties Interstellar Medium Star Formation |
CP: 15, 19.2, 16 | GP: Detailed description /drawings | HR Diagram 2 |
| Aug 8-9 | Stellar Evolution Dead Stars |
CP: 17, 18 | Essay/Lesson Plan revision due | X-ray Supernovae |
| Aug 10-11 | Our Galaxy Measuring Distances |
CP: 19, 20 | GP: presentation outline | Exobiology |
| Aug 15-16 | Other Galaxies & Cosmology | CP: 21, 22, 23 | Galaxy Classification | |
| Aug 17 | Group Project Presentations | Group Projects | ||
| Aug 18 | Final Exam | No Lab |