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TEXTBOOK:
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Discovering the Universe, by Kaufmann and Comings (4th edition)
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GRADES:
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There will be three in-class multiple-choice tests and a comprehensive final, all of equal length - the best three of these four each count 1/3 of your course grade. This grading system will not be changed - there are no term papers, and no "extra credit" work at the last minute. The in-class test dates are Sep 24,
Oct 27 and Dec 3, which is our last class day. The final exam is on Thurs Dec 10, 2-5 pm (the date and time are set by the University). You don't need to take the final exam if you are happy with your grades on the three in-class tests; treat it just like a fourth test except that (a) it is comprehensive, and (b) university rules give you 3 hrs in which to do it. If you had to miss an earlier test because of forgetfulness or illness, the final is obviously worth taking - you can never lower your grade by taking it, since you don't count it if you did better on the other three tests.
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EXAMS:
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These are based on material in the lectures, so study your notes when preparing for tests, rather than trying to memorize the book, which should be treated as a useful supplement to the lectures, not as a replacement. Make-up tests will not normally be given since you can miss one test and still count the other three for your course grade. I will hold a help session the evening before each test; attendance is voluntary but strongly recommended. Please be warned that I do not tolerate cheating on tests - the minimum penalty for this is an F in the course. Please bring photo IDs to the tests.
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HOMEWORK:
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There is no graded homework in this course, but I will give out sets of review questions, which you are recommended to try, as they will test your understanding of the material and prepare you for questions on the tests. Erik will hold a help session for each set of review questions before the answers are posted; attendance is voluntary but recommended, and to get the best value from these sessions you should try the questions by yourself first.
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MATHEMATICS:
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This is a science course, and you will have to do some math, especially on the review questions. The tests are mainly non-mathematical, and in any case, the techniques you need will be demonstrated in class. The type of math we will use should have been done in high school, even if you have forgotten it!
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DROP DATES:
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You can drop any course without academic penalty until Sep 23. You can then drop courses until Oct 21 with a Q or an F, depending on your performance in the class up to that time; I am lenient about Q's so long as you have been making an honest effort. If, for example, you fail Test #1, which is after this drop date, I'll still give you a Q drop. After Oct 21, it is harder to drop - you have to see your Dean and have a good non-academic reason; the Dean may consult me about your progress but he or she makes the final decision about whether you will be allowed to drop.
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GENERAL COMMENTS:
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Keep up with the material as we go through the course. In this way you will be better prepared for the tests; just coasting along and then trying to memorize words from the textbook the night before a test is a sure way to disaster.
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STAR PARTIES:
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Star parties: every Wed from 8:30 p.m. the 16-inch telescope on the roof of RLM is available for viewing stuff in the sky, and on Friday and Saturday nights the 9-inch one atop Painter Hall is available too.
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COURSE OUTLINE:
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The following topics will be covered. Remember that you do not have to read all the material in each chapter, only what is covered in the lectures. Your notes will be the prime source for test studying.
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| Main Topics |
Chapter |
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Scales and sizes, angles; parallax, the parsec (also pp 226-227).
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I |
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Earth's motions, seasons, precession, solar/sidereal time; the moon's orbit and phases, (rotation and tides, pp 127-128), eclipses.
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1 |
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Planetary motions, sidereal/synodic periods, Kepler's laws. Mass and weight, Newton's laws, gravity, orbits.
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2 |
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The EM spectrum (waves vs photons), atmospheric windows, telescopes (optical and radio).
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3 |
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Black-body radiation laws, spectral lines, the Bohr atom, the Doppler effect.
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4 |
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We will omit chapters 5-8, with detailed descriptions of solar system components.
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Stellar spectra and luminosities. The H-R diagram, binary stars, masses, radii, mass-luminosity relation. The sun, nuclear fusion.
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10, (9) |
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Birth of stars - formation and evolution, star clusters.
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11 |
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Death of stars - white dwarfs, supernovae, pulsars.
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12 |