ASTR 210 — General Astronomy
Syllabus for Fall 2009
134 Astronomy Building — MWF 3:00-3:50

Teaching Staff

Class Schedule (subject to change)

Course Information

Prerequisites: Credit or concurrent registration in PHYS 212 (University Physics: E&M).

Course Web Page: Located on https://courses.las.illinois.edu/ (College of LAS Moodle)

Course Goals

Astronomy 210 is a one-semester introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. We will learn about the development of astronomy, the quest for understanding the universe in terms of physical laws, and where the limits of our knowledge currently are. We will begin by studying the basic components of our galaxy—planets, stars, and interstellar gas—then move on to talk about the galaxies themselves, and then the Universe as a whole. We will learn about such diverse phenomena as neutron stars, black holes, and dark energy, and try to develop some intuitive understanding of them.

Unlike “Astronomy 101,” this is a class which emphasizes quantitative calculation. We will frequently use mathematics to describe what we're seeing. This enables us to make detailed predictions, essential for the practice of science. Our goal is not just to observe and learn about what scientists do; it is place ourselves squarely in their shoes. Much of the required physics will be reviewed, but students are expected to have completed the first semester of university physics (Mechanics) and be taking or have completed the second semester (Electricity & Magnetism). If you plan to take higher level (400 series) astronomy courses, this should be your first course in astronomy.

Above all, we want to have fun. Astronomy may have few practical applications, but in our search for answers we have continually made great strides in related areas of science and technology. Regardless of whether or not you pursue a career in science, you should come away with an appreciation of how science, though never immune to the human failings of its practitioners, can be a self-correcting enterprise.

Textbook (required)

iClicker (required)

Each student should bring their own iClicker personal response device to lecture. This can be purchased from campus bookstores. You will use the iClicker to answer multiple-choice questions posed by the instructor. Most questions will test familiarity with the reading or understanding of concepts, and full credit will be given for correct answers, with half credit for incorrect answers. Other questions will be of a survey nature, and full credit will be given for any answer. If you occasionally forget to bring your iClicker, don't worry; only the top 25 sessions (out of the last 39 lectures) are computed into the course grade.

Grading

The point total will be converted to a percentage, with A's corresponding to 90-100%, B's corresponding to 80-89%, C's corresponding to 70-79%, and D's corresponding to 60-69%. Pluses and minuses will be used.

Assignments

1. Online quizzes (accessed through the course web page). These consist of multiple-choice or T/F questions and must be taken on a computer with web access. You may take the quiz up to 2 times BEFORE its due date (usually Wednesdays at noon), and you will be credited with your higher score. We recommend taking quizzes by yourself, without referring to the textbook or lecture notes (it's a good way to prepare for exams). Quizzes will usually be available online (on Moodle) a week before the due date.

2. Homework assignments (accessed through the course web page). These will consist of problems and short-answer questions, and are due in class on Fridays. Handwritten solutions are acceptable, but should be legible. Credit will only be given to well-explained answers, and all important steps in a calculation must be shown.

3. Computational Project. Computers are essential tools for modern astrophysics, and you will choose one of several possible computer exercises to complete. These will explore class topics in greater depth and make use of the same data that astronomers typically obtain. To discourage starting at the last minute, part of the assignment will be due two weeks before the rest.

4. Observing reports. There will be several opportunities for you to attend telescope viewing sessions at the Campus Observatory. The list of possible dates will be available on the web a few weeks in advance. You must attend one nighttime observing session and one daytime observing session. You will make sketches of your observations and complete a short writeup on the activity. Since the weather is unpredictable, and some sessions may be clouded out, try to attend the earlier sessions.

5. Keep a copy of your work. You are strongly urged to make a scan or photocopy of anything you hand in (or keep a copy of any electronic file). This is to protect you in case a situation arises in which there is disagreement about whether or not an assignment has been submitted.

Rules of Etiquette

• Show up for class on time. If you must be late on a regular basis, please inform the instructor.
• Turn off your cell phone before class begins.
• Use of wireless devices or laptop computers in class is discouraged because they can distract you or others.
• Do not leave class early, and do not rustle papers or pack up bags in preparation for leaving before class is dismissed.
• Be attentive in class. Do not use headphones, read newspapers, or prop your feet up on other chairs or desks.
• Be respectful in your interactions with your fellow students and your teachers, whether in person or in cyberspace.

Class Policies

• General: This course will follow all policies in the Student Code (http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/policy/code/).

• Class Participation: Participation is 5% of your total grade. You can earn the full 50 points by obtaining perfect i-clicker scores (based on attendance as well as correct responses) in 25 of the 39 lectures starting with Lecture 3. You can also make up for missed points by, for example, participating in online discussion forums and attending office hours. The quality as well as quantity of contributions is important.

• Working With Others: Discussing course material with your classmates is encouraged, but each student is expected to do his or her own work. You are allowed to work together on homework problems, but each student should write up an individual description of the solution. Some activities may allow you to work together in gathering data. Each student who participated in a joint measurement may make use of that jointly acquired data, but each student should prepare an individual report. If you are in any doubt about whether something is allowed or not, ask the instructor or TA.

• Late Assignments: Assignments have due dates as posted on Moodle. Work turned in late will be assessed a 10% penalty per calendar day it is late. (For technical reasons, late quizzes cannot be accepted.) For a well-documented excuse (such as illness) the penalty may be waived at the instructor's discretion. No work will be accepted more than a week after the due date, regardless of medical excuse, since solutions will be released. In general, late assignments can only be submitted during official class meeting times, posted office hours, or by e-mail to the TA. Department mailboxes are not secure and should not be used.

• Make-up exams will be offered in well-justified circumstances, in accordance with sections 1-501, 1-502, and 3-201 of the Student Code. Advance notice is required for approved school events (e.g., athletic events), religious observances, and other planned absences; the Emergency Dean must be contacted in the case of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., illness, death in the family). The format of the make-up may differ from the standard exam. In all cases, the make-up will be scheduled after the main exam.

• Special accommodations: To insure that concerns are properly addressed from the beginning, students who require reasonable accommodations to participate in this class are asked to see the instructor as soon as possible. All accomodations will follow the procedures as stated in sections 1-107 and 1-110 of the Student Code.

• Academic Integrity: Any instance of academic dishonesty (including cheating and plagiarism) will result in a grade of 0 for that component and be documented in the student's academic file. This includes copying written material from the Internet without proper attribution. Please refer to sections 1-401 to 1-406 of the Student Code.