DEPARTMENT OF ASTRONOMYASTRO
COURSE WEB PAGESASTRO

SPRING 2001

Unique No. 45065

MWF 11-12

RLM 5.104

PROFESSOR:
John Lacy
Office: R.L. Moore 16.332, 16.334
Phone: 471-1469
Email: lacy@astro.as.utexas.edu
Office Hours: TTh 11-12

TEACHING ASSISTANT:
Julia Smith
Office: RLM 16.220
Phone: 471-3447
E-mail: dorothea@astro.as.utexas.edu
Office Hours: W 12, Th 4:30 in RLM 13.132

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We will present an overview of the contents of the Universe, with a physical explanation of what is there. The emphasis will be on how astronomers study the Universe and explanations for what they find, rather than on descriptions. College-level physics and calculus are not required, but we will use high school math (some trigonometry) and science (Newton's laws).

TEXTBOOK: Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics by Zeilik and Gregory
Note: this book assumes more knowledge of math and physics than we will use, and some parts will be skipped.

GRADING: Homework will count 1/3 of your grade, weekly quizzes will count 1/6, a mid-term exam will count 1/6, and the final exam will count 1/3.  Your lowest homework and lowest quiz scores will be dropped. We will not have make-up quizzes, but let us know if you have a legitimate excuse for missing one.  Although this is not a writing class, test answers will usually consist short written explanations, and we will count off for confusing or ungrammatical answers.

Homework: Homework will be assigned each Friday, due the next Friday (in class or by 5PM in the AST 307 box on the 13th floor of RLM; see map on back). You may get help on homework (or anything else) from the professor or TA during office hours or by appointment. Late homeworks will receive 1/2 credit. You are welcome to work on homework with other students, but verbatim copies of homeworks will not be accepted.

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE