In-class interactive learning activities will be an important part of this course. Consequently, attendance and participation is required. You are also required to finish each week's reading assignment before class on Monday, so that you are prepared to participate in discussions. A weekly reading quiz and credit for assignments done during class will help encourage you to do the reading and participate in class.

Homework
A homework assignment will be handed out each Friday, due the next Friday at the beginning of class. Some assignments will involve simple observations of the sky. You are encouraged to work together on homework, but you must write out your own answers in your own words. Duplicate homeworks will not receive credit. Late homeworks will receive half credit.

Tests
There will be a quiz each Monday on the reading for that week and the topics covered the previous week. There will be two in-class exams, on Feb 18 and Apr 1, and a final exam on May 14. Late exams will be given only with a written doctor's note. Exams will emphasize material discussed in class, but will include topics covered only in the text. All quizzes and exams will be closed-book and closed-notes, and calculators will not be allowed (or needed).

Grades
Grades will be based on homework (20% of the grade), the weekly quizzes (20%), in-class assignments (10%), the two exams (20%), and the final (30%). Your lowest quiz and homework scores (one of each) will be dropped.

Collaboration
You are encouraged to study and work on homework assignments with other students, and you are encouraged to get help from the TA, but you must write out your own answers and make the assigned observations yourself. If you copy another homework or let someone copy yours, both of you will receive zero credit. In-class assignments will be done in groups, and all group members will receive the same grade (if the assignment is graded).


Course Schedule